Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, is the process in which the genetic material of living things is purposely altered. This means that researchers are able to enhance or remove certain genetic traits from plants or animals to give them new functions, to do this either a gene from one species is altered or a gene from one species is taken and placed into another to serve a new purpose (Australian Government Department of the Environment). Genetic engineering can be used to improve the sustainability of a crop or animal, or to protect plants and animals from certain diseases. The traditional breeding of animals is a slow process which can be successful but tedious. Genetic engineering offers a way to speed up this process and means …show more content…
An Enviropig is a genetically altered pig which is able to digest phosphorus much more efficiently than a normal pig. These pigs produce the enzyme phytase in their saliva which means they break down most of the excess phosphorus. This is a major breakthrough for researchers as plant phosphorus in the pig’s food that is not processed by the pig is a major environmental issue. The excess phosphorus in the pig’s waste can run into nearby water sources and cause an uptake in algal growth and be deadly for water life (C.W. Forsberg). The only main alternative to the Enviropig is the use of commercially produced phytase being inserted into their diets, which can be expensive for farmers. This response will explain why I agree with the further research of Enviropigs and explain the gene technologies that have currently and in the past been used to create …show more content…
Researchers discovered that the Escherichia coli bacteria made phytase and therefore combined it with a small portion of a gene from mice. This gene was one which controlled the secretions of proteins in their salivary glands and it was assumed that this gene would control the secretion of phytase in the pig’s saliva. This genetic modification was a success and the phytase produced in the pigs saliva was 99% identical to the commercial phytase inserted into the pigs feed (Ontario Pork). Enviropigs work by producing phytase in their salivary glands when consuming feed. This phytase enters the stomach and becomes active in the acidic environment, breaking down a large portion of otherwise indigestible phosphorus. The gene technology used to create the Enviropig was the first and most common one used for transgenic animals, it is known as pronuclear microinjection. This process had regular and easy success in the past and proved to be a suitable method for the Enviropig. The transgene created for the Enviropig, Lama2/APPA, was the combination of the mouse secretory protein and E.coli phytase gene. In pronuclear microinjection this transgene is inserted into the pronucleus of a pig embryo. This gene is randomly inserted into the chromosomes and therefore left opportunity for unintended effects!!! Whilst this was a risk this method still produced valuable and healthy transgenic
Monsanto Company notes that there has been a 12 % population growth over the past decade, leading to higher food demands. The need for stronger fertilizers to sustain high quality products and improved production is critical. Monsanto Company’s products continue to receive widespread criticism and rejection despite their world domination. For instance, in a research by Heinemann, animals fed with genetically modified products were different from those fed with conventional feeds (2). This research provided concrete evidence on genetic modification of these animals
Gene therapy, a relatively new innovention, is becoming popular across the country. Gene therapy modifies a part of an organism, whereas cloning creates an entirely recreated organism. This technique can be conducted in vivo in either somatic or germ cells. The process is essentially aimed at fixing a genetic disorder or disease by inserting a functional gene to replace the faulty one (Houdebine 2003). Many methods to conduct a gene transfer have been tested. The two types are in vivo and in vitro. Transferring genes in vivo means placing the functional genes directly into the target tissue; while vitro transfers creates the genes outside of the body, in Petri dishes. Vitro is an expensive process that r...
Despite being magical of gene therapy, it is high-risk. Few people got benefits from it, and it has a low rate of success. Prior to the human trial, Batshaw and Wilson had done experiment on animals to ensure the safety. Over 20 experiments have been done on mice but only 12 of them survived at last (Sophia, M. and Kolehmainen, J.D., 2000). More seriously, complicating diseases, which can be more dangerous than genetic diseases, might set in during the treatment period. In December 200...
In conclusion, Enviropig is a genetically modified organism created through the infusion of E. Coli phytase—linked to a salivary secretory gene of Mus musculus, the house mouse—into the genetic sequence of the common pig. By doing this these pigs are now able to break down their main source of dietary phosphorus, phytate, and subsequently excrete nearly 70% less fecal phosphorus for no increased agricultural cost. The main issues associated with this transgenic organism lie in the complicated safety testing that would need to be performed and the public perception of ingesting meat that has been modified in any way, as well as the moral issues that arise with altering animal design. In my opinion, however, the moral obligation to decrease mankind’s negative impact on Earth is of greater importance than these moral issues, and Enviropig is a great asset in fixing many of our problems with pollution and climate
Genetic engineering has been around for many years and is widely used all over the planet. Many people don’t realize that genetic engineering is part of their daily lives and diet. Today, almost 70 percent of processed foods from a grocery store were genetically engineered. Genetic engineering can be in plants, foods, animals, and even humans. Although debates about genetic engineering still exist, many people have accepted due to the health benefits of gene therapy. The lack of knowledge has always tricked people because they only focused on the negative perspective of genetic engineering and not the positive perspective. In this paper, I will be talking about how Genetic engineering is connected to Brave New World, how the history of genetic engineering impacts the world, how genetic engineering works, how people opinions are influenced, how the side effects can be devastating, how the genetic engineering can be beneficial for the society and also how the ethical issues affect people’s perspective.
Genes are, basically, the blueprints of our body which are passed down from generation to generation. Through the exploration of these inherited materials, scientists have ventured into the recent, and rather controversial, field of genetic engineering. It is described as the "artificial modification of the genetic code of a living organism", and involves the "manipulation and alteration of inborn characteristics" by humans (Lanza). Like many other issues, genetic engineering has sparked a heated debate. Some people believe that it has the potential to become the new "miracle tool" of medicine. To others, this new technology borders on the realm of immorality, and is an omen of the danger to come, and are firmly convinced that this human intervention into nature is unethical, and will bring about the destruction of mankind (Lanza).
Genetic engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process to alter the structure and nature of genes in humans, plants, and animals (what is genetic engineering). Because DNA is a code that is universal, genes can be manipulated
Lynas, Mark. "We Must Stop Trying to Engineer Nature." Genetic Engineering, edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
Since World War Two, the demand for convenient food, ethnic foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables has risen as a result of increases in income and the prevalence of dual-income families, together with the desire for food variety and healthy foods. The agriculture industry works and develops to meet these demands. Into recent times, societies share a growing concern regarding the environment, climate change, food safety, and animal welfare. Pertaining to agriculture, these concerns question issues such as soil and water conservation practices, use of pesticides and chemicals in crop production, growth promoters, and livestock treatment practices in animal agriculture. However, the industry’s scientists continue to work and research ways to balance the industry and bring environmental and economic
Genetic Engineering is the deliberate alteration of an organism's genetic information (Lee 1). The outcome scientists refer to as successful entitles the living thing’s ability to produce new substances or perform new functions (Lee 1). In the early 1970’s, direct manipulation of the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) became possible and led to the rapid advancement of modern biotechnology (Lee 1).
Human genetic engineering has the capability to transmit usually fatal diseases. Although transmission is highly unlikely, it is one of the risk factors scientists have taken into great consideration. If animal cells or organs are transplanted into humans, zoonotic diseases may be spread. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses, and Nipah Encephalitis are all potentially fatal zoonotic diseases that could be transferred (Glenn). According to Linda MacDonald Glenn, J.D., L.L.M., “The introduction of these diseases to the human population could have devastating consequences” (Glenn). Human genetic engineering may also cause the production of unwanted mutations such as developmental issues. The procedures that would be used for genetically modifying human cells would include numerous alterations to sperm, eggs, stem cells, or embryos before entering a woman’s uterus. This could potentially modify the growth and development of the fetus in ways that have not yet b...
Scientists have been changing genomes of plants and animals by integrating new genes from a different species through genetic engineering, creating a genetically modified organism (GMO). Consumers in America have been eating GMOs since 1996, when they went on the market. There are benefits to genetically modifying crop plants, as it improves the crop quality and increases yield, affecting the economy and developing countries. But there are also negative effects from GMOs. Consumption of GMOs has various health effects on both body systems of animals and humans. GMOs also affect the environment, ecosystems and other animal species. The cons outweigh the pros in the case of GMOs.
The controversy of these issues stems from the immense potential in genetic sciences for both positive use and harmful misuse. Though the questions and fears of critics reflect the wisdom of caution, the potentially unlimited benefits mandate that we pursue these technologies.
To excel in the field of Biology is not merely my dream, but my passion. I have started on this path of never-ending discovery and I want to master this science. It would not be unjustifying to state that the world is a better place today because of the advances in biological sciences. It truly promises to be an ever-advancing profession on this planet where better cures are required for freshly determined diseases on a day-to-day basis. Gene Technology and Biotechnology are a boon to this world. Putting microorganisms to use in the formation of insu...
Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://hfgfoodfuturist.com/2010/12/09/future-evolution-of-genetic-engineering.html. Union of Concerned Scientists (2002). Biotechnology and the worlds food supply. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts.