Genetic Engineering
Have you ever eaten a pluot? No, that’s not a typo – a pluot is a hybrid fruit which is made from two different fruits (plum and apricot)! There are many more hybrid fruits available today, and they exist due to genetic engineering!
Genes are teeny-tiny information-carrying components in an organism. Genes are small segments of DNA that carry genetic material, and DNA is found in every living thing’s cells. Research with bacteria and viruses in the 1960s and 1970s gave birth to genetic engineering. In 1968, Swiss scientist Werner Arber identified restriction enzymes, which was a pivotal discovery. These enzymes are found in nature and cleave DNA into pieces during replication. The discovery of restriction enzymes paved the way to progress in the science of genetics.
What is genetic engineering and how does it work? Scientists join pieces of DNA from other organisms in genetic engineering. They achieve this in a variety of ways, including cutting and reconnecting genes. They start by taking DNA from a donor organism and cutting off the gene they wish to utilize. The gene is then fused to the DNA of another creature. As a consequence, DNA with properties from both creatures is produced by replication. Recombinant DNA is the name given to this novel DNA. Scientists may put recombinant DNA into bacteria to produce additional copies. When bacteria multiply, the DNA is replicated as well. The term for this procedure is called gene cloning.
What may genetic engineering be used for? There are several applications for genetic engineering. It might be utilized to make beneficial medicinal chemicals like vaccinations. Genetic engineering is now widely utilized to create plants with desirable characteristics. Cotton plants, for example, have been genetically engineered to poison dangerous insects. Genetically modified organisms are living organisms that have been formed through genetic engineering (GMOs).
The concept of genetic engineering is disputed, which means that individuals disagree on whether it is beneficial or harmful. Some people believe that changing human DNA is risky or unethical. Some people believe that consuming genetically modified foods is harmful to their health. Others believe that, when utilized properly, genetic engineering may be extremely beneficial to society. Genetic engineering is a major scientific discovery that will only continue to advance in the future.
Sources:
“Genetic Engineering.” Genome.gov, https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetic-Engineering#:~:text=Genetic%20engineer ing%20is%20the%20process,genetic%20makeup%20of%20an%20organism.&text=Genetic%20 engineering%20involves%20the%20direct,give%20it%20a%20desired%20phenotype.
“Genetic Engineering.” Genetic Engineering – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/genetic-engineering.
Scientific Peer Review by Alysia Mandato
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