Synthetic Biology : An Interdisciplinary Branch Of Biology And Engineering

The concept of intentionally altering an organism’s DNA in order to produce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been critically analyzed by both science and the mainstream media in the last decade. However, the genetic modification of organisms is not a recent innovation as humans have been modifying organisms for over 30 000 years (Rangel, 2015). Back then, breeding through artificial selection was the most prominent method of genetic engineering. Organisms with the most desirable traits would be bred together in order to create a new generation of superior organisms. Throughout the centuries, the developments in science and technology have resulted in new methods of genetic engineering. Now, genomes can be spliced in order to insert or remove genes. It has essentially come down to a copy and paste process with genes from animals being inserted into plants as the common practice.

Genetic Engineering is the direct modification of an organism's genes by using biotechnology. Scientists can genetically modify an organism’s chromosomal makeup by inserting proteins that will

Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. “If life is made of up of the same “stuff,” it should be easy to mix and match deoxyribonucleic acid from different organisms. All you have to do is cut out the DNA (gene) you want from one organism, and insert it into a new organism. This process is called genetic engineering. How to cut DNA: There are special tools that can be used to cut DNA called restriction enzymes, also known as DNA scissors, in order to combine DNA with different living things. Restriction enzymes are molecules that speed up the reaction that cuts DNA.

Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating genes by adding new DNA or modifying the genome (which is a made of DNA) to add new beneficial traits in that organism using biotechnology. It removes the DNA from one organism and transfers into another organism. This changes the actions of the genes to serve human goals. DNA plays a huge role in this process. It contains human’s unique genetic code and also hold the instruction to make the proteins in the body.

A social issue that arises is whether it is ethical for scientists to use synthetic biology for personal commercial benefit? However, while socially relevant questions are important, asking questions like what is a cell will help readers understand the content of a specific topic. In this case, knowing the answers to questions such as what is a gene or its function in the human body help in further understanding synthetic biology? Another question may be how does DNA factor into our genes?

"Genetic engineering." The Gale Encyclopedia of Science, edited by K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, 5th ed., Gale, 2014. Science in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2644030976/SCIC?u=washington_chs&xid=ed87b3a8. Accessed 22 Mar. 2017.

A broad definition of synthetic biology is “the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems, and the re-design of existing natural biological systems for useful purposes” (Heavey. 2013) Synthetic biologists main goal is to engineer naturally occurring biological systems, by re-building them from the ground up, removing some of their complex nature and reducing their unpredictability, to produce controlled, autonomous systems readily available for advantageous use by humans. Examples of which include but are not limited to: New medical technologies, food production and fuel development. (Kaebnick et al. 2014, Heavey 2013) Synthetic biology offers the prospect of significant benefits to humanity. However, it also raises some important ethical concerns. The four main concerns that have gathered utmost attention from bioethicists are: (1) concerns that the act of altering naturally occurring systems is ‘playing god’, (2) that producing systems that will function like computers is undermining the distinction between living organisms and computers, (3) concerns about the deliberate misuse of knowledge from synthetic biology to create powerful weapon systems, and (4) That synthetic biology is putting a patency on naturally occurring biological systems, and only benefit the economic interests of those able to invest (Douglas & Savulescu 2010,

Throughout the years, scientific and technological advances have benefited the world in a huge way. Nevertheless, scientists continue to look for new beneficial methods or experiments, and genetic engineering is one of these. This is a new advance and employment of scientific methods, processes, and technologies that allows direct management of genetic material, or the addition of DNA, in order to alter the inborn traits of a cell, organism, or population. This is done by physically removing the desired gene from an organism, and placing it in another who will acquire the trait responsible by that gene. Inside the receiver organism, the gene may be slightly modified but will still perform its function.

Within the last two decades scientists have developed several new techniques, which manipulate and alter the genes found in the cells of living organisms. This wonder of the century, genetic engineering has turned heredity --the passing of inheritable characteristics from parent to off spring- from a natural, random event into a process that can be artificially controlled and exploited. It has the potential of giving humanity unprecedented power over life itself, and it has thus raised profound questions in such diverse areas as the environment, agriculture, biological warfare, and animal rights. Genetic engineering has clearly become the controversial topic of today and no doubt will extend into future.

When speaking about genetically modified or genetically engineered organisms, an important distinction must be made. This new breed of technology does not use traditional means of gene

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

Genetic Engineering is all about genes, which are made of DNA; the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms. It is a very broad term that covers a range of techniques that allow for the artificial addition, deletion or rearrangement of sequences of bases in DNA in order to alter the observable form and function of an organism. (Science Group, 2014). Genetic Engineering was first discovered in the 1970s when scientist discovered how to move pieces of genetic material from one species to another. It has since had questions raised regarding its continuous scientific advancements; showing uncertainty in how this kind of biotechnology will affect human, animal and plant life in the

There are many challenges with genetic modification. Genetic modification is the transfer of an organism’s DNA from one organism to another using biological techniques. Along with the addition of new genes, it also requires the changing or replacing of an organism’s DNA. These are some of the techniques that scientists use to genetically modify an organism’s specific traits. Questions like “Are humans able to alter an organism’s genes?” or “How much will it cost?” will be asked. Most of the questions will pose additional considerations. The development of new gene combinations may have unintended consequences.

Genetic engineering is the characteristics of direct manipulation of an organism 's genome using biotechnology. The genetic modification process through which medical biologist and scientist subsequently alter the genetic makeup of DNA material. This scientific modification is attaining through the addition of genes or subtraction of genes within a single cell organism. The addition of genes is achieved through a carrier which can be through a virus. The addition can either be to the somatic cells or germ cells. In somatic cells, added genes alter the genetic makeup of the body while in germ cells, alteration is to the reproductive cells. Genetic modifications have been widely exercised in humans, animals, plants and

Although synthetic biology is still an up and coming field, there are applications in society that are used today. Scientist John Melo, Chief