Exploring Genetic Engineering: A Modern Breakthrough

Ron Thornton

11/22/14

DNA Technology

Modern technology has taken amazing strides in the past few years. We have changed the way we deal with food production, agriculture, and many other aspects of life.. Scientists have begun utilizing these advances in technology and knowledge to gain insight as to how the human species functions. They are on the verge of manipulating the way humans relate to the natural world. This revolutionary breakthrough is what is known as Genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA molecules into an already existing organism. A simplified version of the process works by physically removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another. This is being done in an effort to

Some observers are concerned that genetic engineering allows humans to tamper with evolution in an unsafe way. Many think that God created man as he is, and we should not attempt to alter its form in any way. Others, however, argue that we as a society should do everything in our power to better our standards of living. It is hard to argue one way or another unless you know the facts about genetic

The medical field has also reaped the benefits of genetic engineering. With the recent discoveries and understanding of so many debilitating diseases and injuries, researchers are working to develop new ways to keep humans healthier for longer amounts of time. Advances in technology, genetic engineering procedures, and new medicines have allowed researchers to discover methods that can be used to help those suffering from many diseases and injuries. According to an article entitled Genetic Engineering Breakthrough published in the News Medical, “Scientists have made extensive breakthroughs in muscle regeneration. They are attempting to help bed-ridden patients and elite athletes by engineering a ‘switch’ that will allow mutations or light signals to be turned on in muscle stem cells.” This discovery may also be used as a tool for the study of difficult-to-treat muscle cancers. Dr. Charles Keller, M.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center and a senior researcher involved in the work, stated that "We hope that the genetically-engineered mouse models we developed will help scientists and clinicians better understand how to make muscle stem cells regenerate muscle