Genetic engineering is a promising new field of science that was created in the 1970s. It involves transferring the genes of one species into another, and is mostly used for purposes such as creating proteins which can be used for medical practices. It can also create organisms that have characteristics that do not belong to their species, and the manipulation of DNA has made it a controversial topic. Many people believe that genetic engineering should not continue as we could create organisms who are dangerous, or that we are contaminating the natural world, whereas others believe that it can help us end world hunger or deprivation of vital nutrients. Though there are many opinions on the topic of genetic engineering, not everyone knows how
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Scientists often insert recombinant DNA for human proteins into bacteria which are then put into fermenters which let them create large amounts of the proteins which are used to treat things such as deficiencies. When inserting recombinant DNA into organisms like plants, the organism will show the characteristic that the gene codes for. Also, after the host organism has been injected with the recombinant DNA, they are tested to see if they have the new trait. This is done by marker genes, genes that code for an antibiotic resistance, being transferred with the wanted gene. Then, cells are grown on materials with the antibiotic so that only transformed cells grow. This ensures that only cells with recombinant DNA are used …show more content…
Many experiments are just taking place, and since it is still new, scientists are still unsure if they are safe. In crops, “scientists originally assumed that the inserted genes would only add a particular desired trait to the crop, new evidence suggests that the host's normal natural genes can get switched off, turned on permanently, damaged, or altered in the process.” (Smith, 5). If normal genes in hosts are shut down, the organisms could be permanently changed. Should the organism turn out to be harmful to another species, both could be threatened with death, competition, and more. Also, “Transgenic crops could bring new allergens into foods that sensitive individuals would not know to avoid.” (Union of Concerned Scientists, 9). Should we be unaware of this, people could be dying frequently and no one would know why. Scientists would have to study until they figure it out, but this could take years and by then hundreds of people could have died. Genetically modified organisms haven’t been studied long enough to know whether or not they are actually safe, and thus should not be allowed in the environment or in the
Scientists often insert recombinant DNA for human proteins into bacteria which are then put into fermenters which let them create large amounts of the proteins which are used to treat things such as deficiencies. When inserting recombinant DNA into organisms like plants, the organism will show the characteristic that the gene codes for. Also, after the host organism has been injected with the recombinant DNA, they are tested to see if they have the new trait. This is done by marker genes, genes that code for an antibiotic resistance, being transferred with the wanted gene. Then, cells are grown on materials with the antibiotic so that only transformed cells grow. This ensures that only cells with recombinant DNA are used …show more content…
Many experiments are just taking place, and since it is still new, scientists are still unsure if they are safe. In crops, “scientists originally assumed that the inserted genes would only add a particular desired trait to the crop, new evidence suggests that the host's normal natural genes can get switched off, turned on permanently, damaged, or altered in the process.” (Smith, 5). If normal genes in hosts are shut down, the organisms could be permanently changed. Should the organism turn out to be harmful to another species, both could be threatened with death, competition, and more. Also, “Transgenic crops could bring new allergens into foods that sensitive individuals would not know to avoid.” (Union of Concerned Scientists, 9). Should we be unaware of this, people could be dying frequently and no one would know why. Scientists would have to study until they figure it out, but this could take years and by then hundreds of people could have died. Genetically modified organisms haven’t been studied long enough to know whether or not they are actually safe, and thus should not be allowed in the environment or in the