Exploring Genetic Engineering
Biotechnology is the use of biological systems; living things - to
make or change products. It has been used for centuries in traditional
activities like baking bread and making cheese. Traditional
biotechnology involved for example, developing a new wheat variety
with early ripening characteristics by crossbreeding different types
of wheat until the desired characteristics and only those
characteristics were present in the new wheat variety. The terms 'gene
technology', and 'genetic engineering' mean the same thing, and refer
to one type of modern biotechnology. Since the 1950s scientists have
learned that DNA in the cells of all living things is like a blueprint
that is passed from one generation to another. DNA contains genes;
messages coded with information that gives living things their
particular characteristics like hair and eye colour. Scientists also
discovered that all living things use the same genetic message code.
This was the beginning of modern biotechnology. Genetic engineering
includes a range of techniques used by scientists to control or modify
genes, switch them off or move them between two unrelated species.
Using genetic engineering, scientists aim to introduce, enhance or
delete particular characteristics of a living thing, depending on
whether they are considered desirable or undesirable.
The possible impact genetic engineering will have
· We will be able to solve the problem of food shortage. We can
develop species of rice plants, which will be produced in large
amounts, overcome diseases and extreme temperatures.
· Repair of a genetic defect (as with trials of gene ther...
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...ly when it involves playing around with sperm and
ovaries of animals. In the matter of control I believe that there
should be a worldwide council including scientists, executives of
large companies and also members of the public from around the world.
The amount of each group should be proportional to total amount of
each in the entire world. Then they can make decisions on what is and
isn't acceptable
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://dmoz.org/Society/Philosophy/Ethics/Applied/Bioethics/Genetic_Engineering/
Engineering genesis by Donald Bruce & Ann Bruce
http://archive.greenpeace.org/~geneng/
http://www.icgeb.trieste.it/SERVICES/BDG.htm
http://www.geneticengineering.org/
C lones, Genes, and Immortality: Ethics and the Genetic Revolution
by John Harris
http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1994/jurassic.html
Genetic engineering depends on the location and analysis of genes on chromosomes and ultimately DNA sequencing. The early cartography of the genes used the principles of Mendelian genetics . It is assumed that alleles that are transmitted together side by side are located on the same chromosome : it is said that are connected or linkage . These genes form a bridging group - linkage group : are the same for gametes and are usually transmitted together , so they do not have independent distribution. Crossing-over occurring during meiosis may cause these alleles can be exchanged between the chromosomes of a homologous pair .
Genetic engineering has been around for many years and is widely used all over the planet. Many people don’t realize that genetic engineering is part of their daily lives and diet. Today, almost 70 percent of processed foods from a grocery store were genetically engineered. Genetic engineering can be in plants, foods, animals, and even humans. Although debates about genetic engineering still exist, many people have accepted due to the health benefits of gene therapy. The lack of knowledge has always tricked people because they only focused on the negative perspective of genetic engineering and not the positive perspective. In this paper, I will be talking about how Genetic engineering is connected to Brave New World, how the history of genetic engineering impacts the world, how genetic engineering works, how people opinions are influenced, how the side effects can be devastating, how the genetic engineering can be beneficial for the society and also how the ethical issues affect people’s perspective.
This paper goes over genetic engineering and how it is used today in the medical field as two types on humans, disabled genetic engineering and trait genetic engineering. This two types of genetic engineering are still debatable since they have to surpass many obstacles and laws. The sources gave statements from professionals and experts on genetic engineering, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, and human anatomy and physiology. The individuals gave their inputs on how they view genetic engineering on human beings.
To date, engineers are very important in our society. They have great success in various fields such as medicine, robotics, genetic engineering, and many others. From a scientific point of view, engineers are looking for the best tools and equipment to create the perfect product. Engineers focus on improving productivity and reducing costs associated with the various aspects of production. Engineering is the way out of problems, usually with relating to the environment. Genetic engineering makes it possible for a future, free from any disease. Today, genetic engineering allows you to change anything for the better of effecting the gene level. Most people think the use of genetic engineering - is an excellent idea to improve the world, because we can get better products. However, people do not think about the possible problems that may arise in the future using genetic engineering.
The debate over whether or not the use of genetic engineering in humans is ethical has been a highly controversial topic for the past two decades. True, scientists can genetically manipulate genes in order to help cure genetic diseases, but genetic engineering can also have some undesirable consequences. Not only could genetic engineering harm humans physically, but change the way we view other humans. While the use of genetic engineering in humans can treat and cure some medical conditions, genetic engineering is a discipline that should remain unexplored.
Scientists are using various methods of genetic engineering to improve the human lifestyle. Major fields of industry are effected by genetic engineering such as the Medical, Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Industries. For example, in the Medical field, GMOs are involved in the production of insulin which can help with diabetes. In the production of vaccines, a virus’s DNA changes with the addition of extra genetic material, to help cure diseases. Also in Agriculture, by modifying a plants genetic information food yield can increase and herbicide and insect resiliency is improved. These are just a few examples of how GMOs are involved in
Imagine how it would feel walking into the hospital with a failing heart and being able to get a transplant of your own organ. Humans are born with only one copy of the organs for each function required by the body. Despite the ability to recover certain cells, not everything within the body is able to regenerate itself. With the now never-ending possibilities of our advancing technology, genetic engineering has entered the lives of humans in ways that were never before expected. Genetic engineering is a modern topic that should be implemented at a greater rate because it helps us fight problems that are beyond basic medicine, it prolongs life, and increases the quality of it by adding techniques to treatment rather then more medication.
Genes are, basically, the blueprints of our body which are passed down from generation to generation. Through the exploration of these inherited materials, scientists have ventured into the recent, and rather controversial, field of genetic engineering. It is described as the "artificial modification of the genetic code of a living organism", and involves the "manipulation and alteration of inborn characteristics" by humans (Lanza). Like many other issues, genetic engineering has sparked a heated debate. Some people believe that it has the potential to become the new "miracle tool" of medicine. To others, this new technology borders on the realm of immorality, and is an omen of the danger to come, and are firmly convinced that this human intervention into nature is unethical, and will bring about the destruction of mankind (Lanza).
Genetic Engineering is essentially altering / adding new DNA into an organism, to provide that organism with more desirable traits. Process - desired gene is isolated with restriction enzymes from organism, and then extracted. The gene then undergoes PCR (polymerase chain reaction) where the gene is sequenced and then copied multiple times, to be re - inserted into the new organism (transgenic). This process is commonly used to provide plants with more desirable traits (e.g. less reliance on water) and can be used just as easily to provide humans with the traits that they themselves desire (e.g. blonde hair and blue eyes). However, medical complications and ethical issues prevent such procedures from occurring, as the theory and practice is still very much in its infancy, and as there is no glass ceiling as such in this particular field of engineering, resulting in countless possibilities that the world may not yet be prepared for.
Genetic engineering is the “science of altering and cloning genes” to treat diseases but it can also branch out to the creation of designer babies or human modification according to Dictionary.com. DNA faulty is said to be the “major causes of death and disability, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes” (Merz). People deem the practice of genetic engineering as a breakthrough for humans because of the possibility of humans cure of cancer or diseases. This is an accomplishment because of its purpose of saving lives but some argue what consequences it will bring. One of them being experimentation and the amount of time it will take scientists to produce their desire result. From the article “Designer People,” the author
Even through the downsides of genetic engineering scientists have had a few breakthroughs. It can help us in our farming needs and also drugs for animals, and pesticides. For agriculture, engineering is used for herbicide tolerance which is the most commonly used form of alteration in plants, and it is also able to keep insects away. Drugs are also produced so that animals have healthier meat to eat. For example, chickens can be modified to produce more eggs and grow larger faster. Which is not a good thing but it is not necessarily bad. Also by doing this a person’s moral compass doesn’t exactly point due north.
Technology has a significant influence across the world, as it has become a fast growing field. Modern biotechnology has been in the major forefront of this influence. From the discovery of DNA to the cloning of various animals, the study of genetic engineering has changed the way society views life. However, does genetic engineering have the capacity to influence the world to its best abilities? Products, which are genetically engineered, may cause severe negative effects on our society. This industry, carrying the potential of leading us toward the unnatural selection of humans to possibly environmental disasters will put humankind in peril. Society, along with humankind, will be in jeopardy since to genetic engineering has the potential of being disastrous.
After reading this book, I thought this book was really amazing. This book made some really good points that I had never known before. The author informed the readers everything they needed to know about genetic engineering. Also, this book did a really good job at clearing all the questions I had before. The most impressive part of the book was how it was organized. It was very neat in the fact that each subject in this book was set up with a negative and a positive. That way when there are opposing arguments, the readers get to experience different viewpoints. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering is a way in which specific genes for an animal or plant can be extracted, and reproduced to form a new animal or plant. These new organisms will express the required trait for that gene. This practice is a very controversial topic within the scientific world. It is being implemented in various areas such as agriculture even though there are many alternatives that can be found for genetic engineered crops, such as organic materials and reducing leeching of the soil. The controversy regarding this practice occurs as it is believed to contribute both negative and positive implications and dangers, not only to oneself but the environment as a whole. Genetic engineering increases the agricultural economy, the yields of agricultural produce, and also causes negative effects on the ecosystem.
To start with , genetic engineering is another term used for genetic manipulation which is a process consisting the addition of new DNA to an organism. The whole purpose of this process is to add new traits that are not already available in the organism. Genetic engineering is often mistaken with breeding which is technique that is mostly used with animals in order to create faster or stronger offspring. Genetic engineering is however different from breeding because it uses much less natural techniques that are usually performed in the lab. The big difference though in terms of genetics , is that genetic engineering allows gene modification that are not close to a certain species. For example , we can mix the DNA of a vegetable with the DNA of an animal in manipulation which is impossible by breeding. The basic idea of genetic manipulation is to isolate a certain cell’s DNA and to mix it with the DNA victor to create a whole new cell with new characteristics. The problem though behind all that, is that its really hard to predict what the results are going to be.