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Genetic engineering manipulates DNA to produce biological products or modify inherited traits. Techniques include hybridomas, recombinant DNA, and PCR. The Human Genome Project aims to treat chronic diseases. Genetically modified products include bacteria, hormones, drugs, and plants. Ethical and safety concerns exist, as consequences are unpredictable.
Genetic engineering is the use of various methods to manipulate the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of cells to produce biological products or to modify inherited traits. Techniques used include the use of needles to insert DNA into an egg, hybridomas (hybrids of cancer cells and cells that produce a desired antibody), and recombinant DNA, in which DNA from a desired gene is inserted into the DNA of a bacterium. The bacterium then reproduces, producing more of the desired gene. Another type is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which refers to a laboratory process in which a particular segment of DNA is rapidly replicated to create a large, easily analyzed sample. The process creates perfect copies of DNA fragments and is used in DNA fingerprinting.
The Human Genome Project, an ambitious attempt to map every human gene, was completed in 2003. Armed with this information, scientists hope to treat and cure many types of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Huntington’s disease and neurofibromatosis (human elephant disease). .)
Many genetically modified products are already on the market. These include
bacteria designed to digest oil slicks and industrial waste products, growth hormones for both humans and cows, drugs such as interferon and insulin, and insect and disease resistant plants.
Genetic engineering techniques have also been used in the alteration of livestock and laboratory animals. The most famous of these animals was Dolly, the first cloned sheep. Genetically modified products require approval from at least one US government agency, such as the Food and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency.
The first genetically engineered pet was commercialized in 2003 when scientists inserted a jellyfish gene into the common zebrafish to make them glow yellow-green in the dark. Frankenfish” was expected to be big news, but sales were flat.
Many people question both the ethics and safety of genetic engineering.
Because the science is so new, there is no way to predict potential consequences for human health and safety if a GM animal were to escape the lab or if the GM food were to turn out to have unexpected consequences. There have been several reports of genetically altered wheat infecting normal wheat crops. Infected crops have been destroyed.
