Essay about Genetic Manipulation or Genetic Engineering

Genetic manipulation, also referred to as ‘genetic engineering’ or ‘genetic modification’, is the change of an organism’s gene through the use of modern biotechnology techniques. There are various forms of genetic manipulation, including transgenic organisms, cloning, and gene therapy etc. Transgenic organisms, also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), are organisms that possess a foreign gene in its genome. This is achieved through recombinant DNA technology, which involves either the combining of DNA from different genomes or the insertion of foreign DNA into a genome. The production of transgenic organisms, particularly animals, is a highly controversial topic and its advantages and disadvantages will be discussed thoroughly†¦show more content†¦One such example is the transgenic salmon, whom carries a gene from another salmon that controls growth hormone production and another gene from an eel-like fish allowing them to survive in freezing conditions. This resulted in the desirable characteristic for salmon farmers as it resulted in larger and faster growing salmon that could tolerate a wider range of temperature. Scientists are currently further experimenting to produce disease-resistant plants and animals, although such practice is not yet available. Secondly, transgenic organisms aid in medical applications through xenotransplantation (transplant organs from transgenic animals) and transgenic organisms that produce nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals, such as growth hormone, anti-clotting factors for blood and insulin etc., as well as treatments for diseases like cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria (PKU). Rosie, the first transgenic cow was engineered to produce human protein-enriched milk containing the human gene alpha-lactalbumin at 2.4 grams per litre in 1997. The product is more nutritionally balanced than natural bovine milk and could be given to babies or elderlies with special nutrition al or digestive needs. Further, George and Charlie are the first cloned transgenic cows genetically altered to incorporate human gene for blood protein (serum albumin). Lastly, transgenic organisms could now be geneticallyShow MoreRelatedEssay on Genetic Engineering: The Impact of Human Manipulation1710 Words   |  7 Pagesof a reality rather than a fantasy. Nevertheless, only about twenty-five years ago, genetic engineering fell into this same, idealistic category. Although genetic engineering was once a totally impractical thought, today, it is a prominent issue around the world. The most controversial subject of genetic engineering deals with the impact that the manipulation of humans will have on the earth. The genetic engineering of humans will negatively impact the world due to the resulting social issues, religiousRead MoreGenetic Engineering Research Paper1341 Words   |  6 PagesI. Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the past three decades, scientists have learned how to mix and match characteristics among unrelated creatures by moving genes from one creature to another. This is called â€Å"genetic engineering.† Genetic Engineering is prematurely applied to food production. There are estimates that food output must increase by 60 percent over the next 25 years to keep up with demand. Thus, the result of scientist genetically altering plants for more consumption. The two most common methodsRead More Genetic Engineering: Our Key to a Better World Essay1128 Words   |  5 Pages What is genetic engineering one might ask and why is there so much moral controversy surrounding the topic? Genetic engineering as defined by Pete Moore, is the name given to a wide variety of techniques that have one thing in common: they all allow the biologist to take a gene from one cell and insert it into another (SS1). Such techniques included in genetic engineering (both good and bad) are, genetic screening both during the fetal stage and later in life, gene therapy, sex selectionRead MoreDisadvantages Of Genetic Engineering1663 Words   |  7 Pagesinnovations is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. it is a set of biotechnologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. Genetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields including research, ag riculture, industrial biotechnology, and medicine. Genetic engineering can beRead MoreEssay on Genetic Enhancement is Unethical 1600 Words   |  7 Pagesnot be too far off in the future. Designing babies using genetic enhancement is an issue that is gaining more and more attention in the news. This controversial issue, once thought to be only possible in the realm of science-fiction, is causing people to discuss the moral issues surrounding genetic enhancement and germ line engineering. Though genetic research can prove beneficial to learning how to prevent hereditary diseases, the genetic enhancement of human embryos is unethical when used to createRead MoreGenetic Enhancement - Designer Babies1618 Words   |  7 Pagesnot be too far off in the future. Designing babies using genetic enhancement is an issue that is gaining more and more attention in the news. This controversial issue, once thought to be only possible in the realm of science-fiction, is causing people to discuss t he moral issues surrounding genetic enhancement and germ line engineering. Though genetic research can prove beneficial to learning how to prevent hereditary diseases, the genetic enhancement of human embryos is unethical when used to createRead More Genetic Engineering Essay993 Words   |  4 PagesGenetic Engineering There are many manipulations that humans have done to the environment throughout history in order to benefit mankind. As technology has increased many of these manipulations have begun to take place on a larger scale resulting in more drastic changes to the environment. The first manipulations humans used to benefit themselves were farming and domestication of animals. This was very basic manipulation to the environment and did not make drastic changes to the environmentRead MoreGenetically Modified Animals : Genetic Engineering1518 Words   |  7 Pagesgene technology I hope to share some understanding in the process of gene transfer in animals, the process of obtaining genetically engineered animals, and analyze the social and moral implications associated with this gene technology in animals. Genetic modification of animals started thirty years ago with the production of genetically modified mice. Gene modification is the process of crossing and selective breeding of animals and has been carried out by breeders for quite some time now. These modificationsRead MoreDangers and Consequences of Genetic Engineering Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesDangers and Consequences of Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering will be deadly. The harmful effects of this gene manipulation will not be discovered for years, and it will be too late to reverse the damage. The tools of genetic engineering are natural substances that control biochemical reactions that work like chemical scissors and glue, cutting and pasting DNA molecules and sticking them into the DNA of microbes. The microbes with these transplanted genes may beRead MoreGenetic Engineering Research Paper1584 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic engineering Explain how this technology works. Genetic engineering otherwise called genetic modification and can basically be described as the ‘direct manipulation of an organism’s genome’ which is the complete set of genetic material of an animal, plant or other living thing. This direct manipulation works by using modern DNA technology. This ‘involves the introduction of foreign DNA also known as synthetic genes into the organism of interest’ or curiousity. Genetic engineering does not