A Research On Genetic Modification

Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material, otherwise known as DNA. Since biochemists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer pioneered genetic engineering in 1973, the process has grown to have numerous applications such as medicine production, for example insulin (Mckinley). However, a main topic of concern is the application of genetic engineering on foods that we eat everyday. By modifying the genetic "blueprint" of crops, it is possible to improve many aspects of agriculture. But with any sort of scientific discovery that allows humans to act as Mother Nature, genetically modifying organisms has been a very controversial topic. Yet our society continues to grow, and the need for the benefits of genetically modified foods continues to grow. Genetically modifying foods should be permitted in our society because it allows larger yields of crops to be produced, produces foods with higher nutritional values, and reduces our global ecological footprint.

Imagine going to the grocery store and seeing a seedless watermelon, but it is not the typical oval, it is square. Down the produce aisle, there are sweet, juicy strawberries; however, there is a warning label that says, “Do not consume if you have a nut allergy.” The world today is moving forward in the way that society produces our wholefoods. Genetic engineering, bioengineering, or biotechnology is the process of inserting the genetics of different plants and organisms into other plants or organisms to create new, more efficient DNA. However, is it truly beneficial to modify the world’s natural foods? The use of genetic engineering can disrupt the ecosystems that have taken billions of years to develop. Many years of research and work have gone into the subject of genetically modified foods; however, this new food trend could create or enhance food related illnesses and health problems, interfere with nature’s environs, and could even cause specific ethical problems for individuals that practice different faith. People should be aware of genetic engineering, how it works, and how it affects their lives.

In an ever changing world, there are only a few things that are certain that all people need. It is said that a human can last three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. The typical American farmer in 2017 feeds about 155 people compared to the 25.8 people in 1960. The thought of genetically modified organisms is nothing more than just a regulatory muddle. Agriculture is such a widely conversed topic however, through extensive research, international experiments, and general education, it is clear that genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are safe on all aspects as well as necessary to continue to feed the people.

GMO Controversy. The beginning of the altering of DNA, which has been encoded in both plants and animals, results in drastic consequences applied to both pro and anti GM foods. Within this article a GMO is referred to as “transgenic crops, where the genes from a nonplant organism (usually bacteria) are deliberately inserted into a plant (using recombinant DNA or gene-splicing) in hopes the new plant will exhibit certain desirable traits” (Norwood, Oltenacu, Lorenzo, & Lancaster, 2015, p. 60). Arguably the traits do not always have the best of outcomes. Genetic mutations which show morbid alterations within the bodies of animals and humans, are less likely to have exposure, limiting the discussion or visual representation, outside of the producer.

For hundreds of years, mankind has attempted to manipulate the DNA of other organisms through selective breeding, in order to produce traits that were favorable or advantageous to humans such as seedless bananas, seedless watermelons, and even man’s best friend, dogs. But in 1953, scientists were truly able to alter an organism’s DNA within a generation and modify its traits. Now let’s take it to modern day. We are now able to engineer GMOs and create things like blue strawberries that are able to withstand freezing temperatures after injecting genes from the Arctic Flounder Fish. GMOs stand for Genetically Modified Organisms, they are organisms that have been created through genetic engineering. In addition, it is currently estimated that 70% of all processed foods in the United States contain at least one genetically modified ingredient. (Smith) In fact, developed countries do not consider GMOs to be safe at all. In a recent survey, 52% of Americans believe that GMOs are unsafe and an additional 13% are unsure about them. (Langer) But despite the general public’s skepticism of GMOs, genetic engineering can yield great power, with the ability to bring great benefits but at the same time, it can bring great harm. So, we, as a society should remain cautionary, but we shouldn’t completely isolate ourselves and reject such promising technology. We should encourage research in order to better our understanding of GMOS by not only scientists, but everyone as a whole.

Introduction - Australia should strongly investigate this question because it could have massive ramifications in the development of the human life in the future. The genetic modification of human embryos could change the way we live in a good way because it has the ability to change the intelligence, appearance and cure genetic disease. But on the other hand the genetic modification of human embryos can also have a bad effect because at the moment their have been trials done in which the subject has died. At the moment scientist can delete and insert pieces of DNA into specific cells through a simple and new piece of technology know as CRISPR. CRISPR has the possibility to cure genetic disease, create tougher plants and wipe out malaria-carrying

I am writing to you to explain the problems concerning genetic modification in humans. The field of genetics has come so far in the past decade, and there are currently efforts being made to correct autosomal recessive diseases, such as Hemophilia B.1 I agree that being able to cure diseases, like Hemophilia, is important, but it also means that scientists would be able to create “designer humans.” The concept of “designer genes” in human modification reinforces the idea that there is an ideal human which is both ableist and catered strictly to upper class individuals. In this letter, I am expressing my opinion that while advances in genetic engineering are being made, it is important to remember that science should not progress to the point that we are removing all imperfections.

Describe the various methods that have been developed to achieve targeted gene modification in animals and plants and discuss their applications.

The science of genetic engineering has brought about many outstanding achievements in that past and continues to remain on the cutting edge of research. Although public opinion has been reluctant to embrace the study of genetics, it’s already inevitably become an essential part of our lives. There is infinitely more to the science of genetic modification than the average person comprehends. This science is not only channeled in modifying food sources but in a wide range of studies, especially in the medical field. Moreover, while our perceptions of genetic experimentation have given it a bad name, this field has the potential to have an immeasurable benefit to society.

Natural species are the library from which genetic engineers can work. Genetic engineers don 't make new genes, they rearrange existing ones” says George Mason University Professor of Environmental Sciences,Dr.Thomas Lovejoy(TodayInSci, 2014).Genetic Modifications (GM) have been a topical interest among the field of biotechnology, in which modern techniques directly manipulate genomes allowingthe transfer of specific trait genes from one organism to be inserted into another organism changing its genes. In doing so, an organism with the transferred gene may express the traits that it would not have naturally. These Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) or Transgenic Organisms are typically created for the benefits of humansserving in medical use where genetically modified bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E.Coli) can mass-producehuman insulin. According to Diabetes Australia,this is used for treatment in approximately 956,000 patients, or over 80% of affected diabetes patients in Australia alone(CSIRO, 2011). The topic has also sparked public concerns upon the matter, evokingethical considerations and public opinion on safety issues associated with it (Macer, 1994). This investigation aims to provide understanding towards the benefits and use of genetic modifications and its relation in medicine along with its controversial publicity in regards of ethics and safety surrounding it. The following investigation will address the curriculum statement M16.

With only a 20-year history, genetic engineering is only a young science with much uncertainly relativity compared to other fields. Much of the elements bioengineering studies and experiments, the DNA genome and sequence, are still unknown to the scientific community. Changes in genes greatly transform the condition, structure, and essence of an organism, giving us an entirely different and unnatural creation. Even when the physical effects are barely noticeable or deemed safe and ethical, these modified creations’ effects on the environment are impossible to predict and will only emerge when the damage done becomes evident to the human population. Though a large unknown looms over modifying genes, bioengineering industries insist upon dismissing the scare over genetic foods with the vast potential “miracle” foods can benefit upon human society.

This is an article that capitalizes on the unpredictable nature of the genetic engineering of foods as well as the dangers to the environment when growing these genetically engineered foods. The research behind both Dr. Arpad Pusztai, a biochemist, and Dr. Michael Antoniou, a molecular scientist, offer the insight behind the unexacting science that is the bioengineering of food. Another concern shared in this article is the residual effect on our environment when we use GMO foods designed to either be weed or pest resistant. I contend that

Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen first established the Genetic Modification of Organisms in 1973. The successful accomplishment arrived after thousands of years of selective breeding in which farmers used unreliable methods that took many years to achieve the desired characteristic within an organism. However genetic modification allows specific individual genes to be transferred from one organism to another instantly and occurring in the same generation of the organism. The insertion, deletion and mutation of genes allow desirable characteristics to be developed that would be impossible to obtain from selective breeding. Genes carry the information for the necessary characteristics that determines what the organism inherits and through changing or inserting genes; genetic modification allows specific qualities to be produced more accurately. First the chosen DNA must be isolated and copied by either synthesising DNA to insert or by generating a DNA sequence through molecular cloning methods. Genes can be ‘switched’ on or off and can be removed or ‘knocked out’ using nuclease to change the way an organism develops. This allows genes to be transferred from non-related species and by isolating individual genes, scientists could gain high-value medical products form animals in the future. GMO’s are involved throughout society in research, medicine, agriculture and environmental management. This report will investigate the involvement of mammals, microbes, crops and the

For thousands of years, humanity has selectively bred plants and animals to produce the most favourable results from the fruitful species around us. It has only been a very recent event in our history, however, that we have invented a systematic procedure to ensure the best results in these species. This procedure is called genetic engineering, and has sparked multiple debates among both academics and the public about the ethics behind controlling the outcome of a species. Among all the altercation regarding this relatively new technology, no other topic has brought about more controversy than the use of genetic engineering in humans. Proponents of genetic engineering envision a future where disease, crime, suffering, and infertility have been eliminated - replaced by an enhanced human race better suited to our environment. Opponents fear a nightmarish world where biodiversity and the human genome have been corrupted through

For centuries, humans have indirectly manipulated DNA of plants and animals through selective breeding to produce organisms with traits desirable to man, allowing humans to expand their population by expanding their resources. However, not until the discovery of the exact structure of DNA in 1953 were scientists able to directly alter an organism’s genes within one generation. Despite the long history of genetic engineering and its safer, more precise techniques today, the general public condemns the technology out of ignorance and fear of an unpredictable future. Genetic engineering yields great power, and could therefore bring great harm, so while our society must remain cautious, we cannot completely reject such a promising technology but must instead encourage research so we have a better understanding of it by not only scientists, but all citizens.