...Gene technology carries with it social and ethical implications—many of which engender personal views and discussion. Select one (1) of the following biotechnology topics to write about: * Genetically modified animals 1. Biological basis. Describe the technology. Discuss what it accomplishes. Elaborate on the scientific principles that make this technology possible. Your goal in this section of the paper is to show the instructor that you understand the underlying science behind the technology. Describe how exactly the technology works. Discuss the biological principles that underlie this technology. Genetic engineering is the use of tools of modern biotechnology and molecular biology to introduce new characteristics or traits into organisms. It is a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal to introduce new genetic material, or delete or alter existing genetic material. Genetic engineering comes from foreign genes of bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans which enables people to introduce a much wider range of new characteristics into an organism than is possible by conventional breeding. Animals that have had genes artificially added or removed from their DNA are described as genetically modified animals. Genetic modification of an animal involves altering its genetic material by adding, changing or removing certain DNA orders in a way that does not occur...
Words: 1101 - Pages: 5
...Gene Technology Professor PALANISWAMY SCI 115 3-3-2014 Genetically modified food and agricultural biotechnology have generated a lot of interest and controversy in the United States worldwide. Some like the technology's benefits while others raise questions about environmental and food safety issues. Crop varieties developed by genetic engineering were first introduced for commercial production in 1996. Today, the crops are planted on more than million acres worldwide. U.S. farmers are by far the largest producers of genetically modified crops. Genetically Modified Crops are foods that have had a gene extracted from living things, which has been placed into a different food by a scientist. This technology can be used to produce new varieties of plants or animals more quickly than conventional breeding methods. Also to introduce traits not possible through traditional techniques. There are two main types of genetically modified crops that are in commercial use around the world. These are either crops that have been developed to be resistant to certain crop pests, or crops that have been developed to be resistant to a particular herbicide. Modified Crops are made for many different purposes, the main purpose they were created is food to be able to survive being sprayed with harmful chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. Another purpose is to make food stay fresher for longer, to kill pests, to produce more of the crop and to experiment with taste and quality. The...
Words: 1298 - Pages: 6
...Gene Technology Nelly Solorzano Strayer University SCI115008VA016-1158-001 Intro to Biology Kerry Lee November 29, 2015 Gene Technology Biological basis - Genetic engineering is a laboratory process by which an individual genome is purposely modified. With genetic engineering a gene from one species can be transferred to another and produce an organism that is transgenic or a gene can be altered and reinserted into an individual of the same species. Either way resulting in genetically modified organism also known as GMO. One GMO being used now is genetically modified or engineered animals which are animals in which modern technology and molecular biology are used to alter their existing characteristics or traits. Genetically modified animals are used for various purposes the biggest one now is bio pharma meaning they are intended to produce substances that can be used for human or animal pharmaceuticals. There is also a development of genetically modified animals for the use of scarce cells, tissue, or organs for transplants into humans known as xenotransplantation such as organs from pigs who are a potential source of organs for transplant. The benefits genetically modified animals can produce depend entirely on the traits that are introduced, for example some animals can be made to grow faster and therefore requiring less food to sustain them other animals have improved fat composition providing a more healthful nutrient profile. As of now no genetic modified...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...2014 Biological Basis: A genetically engineered animal is an animal that carries a known sequence of DNA fragments that have been joined together in a laboratory. This process involves removing genes from the DNA of one species and inserting it into the genes of an unrelated animal. “The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans.” Retrieved November 27, 2014 from, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education. Transgenic refers to those specific genetic engineering processes that remove genetic material from one species of animal and add it to a different species. Due to the high similarity in genetic sequences for proteins among species, transgenic organisms are able to effectively assimilate and express these trans-genes. These genetically engineered animals are also known as “transgenic” animals. This process may be called Genetic Engineering or Genetic Modification; they are one in the same. Genetic engineering enables animals to produce useful proteins and are being produced to assist with human medicine such as biopharmaceutical products. Some of these include, antibodies that can be used for the treatment of infections, cancer, organ transplant rejections, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Gene technology has only been possible since the 1960’s due to the greater understanding of DNA and how it functions following the discovery of its structure by Watson and Crick in 1953. Social and ethical implications: ...
Words: 1049 - Pages: 5
...Biology Gene Technology People have been altering the genomes of plants and animals for many years using traditional breeding techniques; this is an artificial selection that organisms that exhibits specific traits are chosen to breed. In recent decades, however, advances in the field of genetic engineering have allowed for precise control over the genetic changes introduced into an organism. (Theresa Phillips, 2008)Today, we can incorporate new genes from one species into a completely unrelated species through genetic engineering, optimizing agricultural performance or facilitating the production of valuable pharmaceutical substances. Some examples of genetically modified organisms are plants, animals and bacteria. Genetically modified organisms are all organism that has had a gene from one organism implanted into another organism in order to improve or change the genetic makeup of that organism. It can also be referred to as transgenic, due to the process being the transfer of genes from one organism to another. Other names also referred to are biotechnology, gene splicing, genetic engineering, or recombinant DNA technology, all of which meant the same thing as genetically modified crops. [ (Enquiries, 2007) ]Transferring genes from one organism to another, to enhance or improve that organism. Genetic Modification is done in a laboratory by extracting the desired genes from the organism and then implanting them into the other organism. When food is genetically modified...
Words: 1184 - Pages: 5
...rise. Undoubtedly, with technology this advanced and in demand. It will be controlled by massive corporations and is that good? In Atwood’s Oryx and Crake companies would manufacture diseases in order to profit from their cures. “But don’t they keep discovering new diseases? Not discovering, said Crake. They’re creating them.” (P 210-211). What's to stop them from doing it in this scenario? Creating a rogue gene in the population so they are forced to pay for some expensive modification to come back to normal does not seem so far fetched. Our society is currently too consumerist and entertainment driven for gene modification to not be popular. And with the great powers of gene...
Words: 1245 - Pages: 5
...DNA Technology BIO/240 May 6, 2013 DNA Technology INTRO – LEE DNA Technology: Cloning, Gene Therapy, and Stem Cell Research DNA technology encompasses a wide variety of applications and because of the duplicating nature of DNA, it is easy to see how humans could benefit from its manipulation. One such technology is cloning. Cloning technology comes in three forms: recombinant DNA cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Cloning Recombinant DNA cloning consists of transferring DNA fragments from an organism to a self-replicating element, like a bacterial plasmid. The fragments join with the cloning vector and are reproduced with the host cell. This technology is most commonly known for its use in genetically modified foods. DNA fragments that code for better tasting, higher nutrient qualities are spliced into regular plants to produce super foods (US Dept of Energy Genome Program, 2009). Reproductive cloning takes all the genetic information out of a cell and replaces it with DNA from the desired organism. With luck, this cell will begin to divide until it becomes an embryo and can be implanted into a host mother (US Dept of Energy Genome Program, 2009). Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Research Therapeutic cloning is by far the most controversial. This type of cloning produces human embryos for use in research, and usually for the stem cells that can be harvested from these embryos. Stem cells can be used to clone organs and body parts from the...
Words: 1647 - Pages: 7
...Genetically Modified Organisms Genetic engineering is an asset to mankind and scientific technology that continues to be unabated to the present. Genetic engineering is the process of putting additional DNA in an organism for a specific purpose. This is done by physically removing a gene from one organism and inserting it into another, giving it the ability to express the trait encoded by that gene (Goldbas). The first successful genetically modified organism was completed by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer in 1973. Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer developed recombinant DNA technology that revealed genetically engineered DNA molecules can be cloned in foreign cells. Their experiment displayed that the gene for frog ribosomal...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Gene Editing: Cures or Scary Science? Humans around the world have much in common but also have an enormous diversity. Some of our differences come from the environment and our life experiences. Gene editing or Genome engineering is the insertion or deletion of a certain DNA cell. The science of refining genes has substantially increased the wipeout of genetic diseases and techniques for disorders not genetically found. “Genetic Engineering has developed and modified the way to discover improved treatments for people with genetic HIV, blindness, familial hypercholesterolemia, Sickle-cell anemia, and Hemophilia”(Friedman, L.). Significantly our genes produce an important contribution towards human behavior and cognition. Humanity has a long history of figuring out ways to modify genes. With gene editing not only has there been a great leap forward, but has the potential to make big changes in our lives. One of the biggest achievements in history...
Words: 486 - Pages: 2
...Running head: GENETIC ENGINEERING Building a Utopian Society Society, Ethics and Technology HUMN432 ACC_U January 20, 2012 How does Genetic Engineering affect society? This is a hard question, and I’m not sure that there is any one correct answer. The selection of individual traits and the enhancements in embryos has raised several moral issues that involve both individuals and society as a whole. The first thing to consider is that when selecting a particular trait does it actually pose any health issues that may not have been that may not have been of concern before? There isn’t any concrete data that could be utilized as an acceptable form of preclinical stats for human studies. Human data may present significant practical and ethical problems. Since the safety of these procedures is fairly new and is currently under investigation, there are no long-term clinical and accurate numbers of research subjects. Even with all these unanswered questions, there are still questions regarding the safety concern involving the results that the majority of genes may have multiple effects. For example, “In the late 1990s, scientists discovered a gene that is linked to memory.” (Tang et al., 1999). “Modifying this gene in mice greatly improved learning and memory, but it also caused increased sensitivity to pain.”(Wei et al., 2001) By altering genes we can’t assume that it will only affect one function, when in actuality it may turn out to disrupt other functions. Individual’s...
Words: 755 - Pages: 4
...Ethical Issues in Transgenic Mice and the Benefits on Human Welfare Presently, there has been a breakthrough in molecular biology with engineering transgenic animals. Transgenic animals are animals that carry genes from another species. This technology has created transgenic animals such as mice, rats, horses, chickens, goats, pigs, sheep and cows. The use of this technology brings with it ethical issues. This issue needs to be considered by stakeholders, to ensure that all parties are aware of the issues at stake and can make a valid contribution to this current debate regarding the creation and use of genetically engineered animals. Even though there have been many ethical issues surrounding transgenic animals it has benefited humans’ health and could cure various diseases. The majority of transgenic animals that were produced were mice, which is the animal that started this technology. The first successful transgenic animal was the mice via viral infection in the 1970’s. During the 1980’s the first transgenic mice via microinjection, which is the most performed technique. In 1985, the first transgenic sheep, rabbits, pigs and cattle were created, and in the 1990’s transgenic farm animal companies were seen as bioreactors and organ donors. The main logic of genetically altering animals is some transgenic animals are produced for specific economic traits. An example could be that a transgenic goat was created to produce milk containing specific human proteins that led to the...
Words: 2241 - Pages: 9
...baby before it is even born, or prevent your unborn child from a dreadful disease, or make your baby a genius or an athlete. Scientists could be opening Pandora’s Box with the potential development of human genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the process by which genes are added or transferred to alter the genetic code of an organism (“What is Genetic Modification”). Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2006, genetic engineering has developed rapidly and it seems as though a new discovery or breakthrough is announced every day. Many of the discoveries as well as future prospects have presented numerous challenges and concerns, and continue to be an ethical debate. Human genetic engineering will lead to unfavorable consequences that defy nature, lead to less diversity, and threaten our safety. Scientists are messing with nature in the process of human genetic engineering. There is a delicate balance in nature that should not be tampered with because of the unforeseen effects it could cause. With advancements in genetic engineering and new technologies, scientists are racing to uncover some profound new discovery by experimenting with our genes in a Petri dish. Manipulations to our genes are unnatural and unpredictable. It was just announced this year that the first human ear was grown from animal cells on the back of a rat (Briggs). While this major breakthrough has enormous potential for human replacement parts, it may open the doors to unknown consequences...
Words: 1657 - Pages: 7
...biological products. It is a manipulation of genes that allows scientists to put genes from one organism into another organism. Plants - You may not realize it, but plants are a big part of Genetic Engineering. Farmers use many techniques to insert genes from different organism around the world to help increase crop yield and to boost up proteins inside the plant. Animals - Animals are a really good way for scientists to learn about Genetic Engineering. But not only that, animals are a part of Genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is used to produce better meat, and other food from animals Humans - So far, the technology of Genetic Engineering is not at it's full potential but soon it may when scientists are confident about Genetic Engineering and it's implications. Only about 30 Genetically Engineering Humans have turned out alive and in good living condition. Genetically Engineered food has improved nutritional value Farmers will benefit from growing Genetically Engineered crops Genetically Engineered crops will reduce the use of herbicides and pesticides There is no evidence that Genetically Engineered crops are harmful to the environment Genetically Engineered crops will save the world from famine 1. By performing genetic engineering, scientists can obtain knowledge about genetic mechanisms. For example, they may be able to uncover some secrets of genetic mapping. Genetic mapping is the identification of individual genes for various functions. If scientists...
Words: 857 - Pages: 4
...genetic engineering are still in the experimental stages, but some processes that deal with bacteria, natural produced drugs and plants have gained approval from agencies such as the Federal Department of Agriculture. The most controversial matters about genetic engineering is its potential us in human beings. This brings rise to many ethical and moral issues about genetic engineering, which we will discuss. In general there are three techniques used in the manipulation of human genes, they are cloning, somatic cell manipulation, and human germline manipulation. In general, cloning consists of creating exact copies of an individual’s DNA and creating a new organism containing the same DNA. This new organism will have the identical characteristics of the copied individual. Somatic cell manipulation (gene therapy) is simply introducing new genes into somatic cells, which contain a disease or aliment in order to heal or cure the infected cells. In general, germline manipulation is altering genes in the...
Words: 1370 - Pages: 6
...that need have the concerns of many Americans including the one that will be presented today. The biggest one in the world of science and technology is possibly genetic testing. Genetic testing has so many possibilities in the today’s society that there are legal, social, and ethical problems that allow it to stay at bay. There is fine line that should be drawn when it comes to genetic testing especially when it comes to healthcare and when it leads to vanity. Genetic testing examines a person's genetic code by using a sample of blood or other body fluids/tissues, for health or medical identification purposes; it’s also a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins (Genetic Testing). The Human Genome Project, human cloning and stem cell research are all part of this group. Genetic cloning is the reproduction of a new organism that is, at all stages of development, genetically virtually identical to a currently existing, or previously existing, being (Clone). Stem cell is an unspecialized cell that gives rise to a specific specialized cell, such as a blood cell, and they have the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells (Stem Cell). The Human Genome Project was an international research effort to determine the sequence of the human genome and identify the genes that it contains. The Human Genome Project formally began in 1990 and was completed in 2003 (Human Genome Project). “The purpose of the...
Words: 2655 - Pages: 11
