When thinking of genetic engineering we often think of genetic modification which deals with direct manipulation of an organism 's genetic material using biotechnology. Biotechnology is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or different organisms. There’s all kinds of benefits to genetic engineering starting with genetic therapy according to Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia genetic therapy is the alteration of germ cells, that is, sperm or eggs, which results in a permanent genetic change for the whole organism and subsequent generations. Applying such “germ line gene therapy” to humans raises profound ethical
…show more content…
For example, the gene for insulin, a protein naturally found only in the pancreas tissue of higher animals, can be introduced into bacterial cells by way of a plasmid vector. The bacteria can then be grown in large quantities, giving an abundant source of so-called “recombinant” insulin at a relatively low cost. Production of recombinant insulin is also not dependent on the sometimes-variable supply of pancreas tissue from abattoirs. While the potential benefits of genetic engineering are considerable, so may be the potential dangers. For example, the introduction of cancer-causing genes into a common infectious organism, such as the influenza virus, could be hazardous. Consequently, experiments with recombinant DNA are closely regulated and those involving infectious agents are permitted only under the strictest conditions of containment; unforeseen health, environmental, or ecological effects, however, may occur because of genetic …show more content…
scientists reported that they had succeeded in cloning an adult sheep by placing genetic material from one of the sheep’s cells into an egg cell that was taken, its genetic material removed, from another sheep. The developing embryo was inserted into the uterus of a sheep, which subsequently gave birth to the new, clone sheep, dubbed “Dolly.” This development, and subsequent success in cloning other animals, aroused anxious debate over the possibility of human cloning; the prospect of creating copies of existing persons that would be genetically identical—aside from differences in mitochondrial DNA—raised serious ethical and philosophical questions, and prompted a ban in the U.S. on federal funding for human-cloning research. Most people would reject human cloning because they believe it’s messing with “Gods work” but a Harvard recruit from Beijing, said she has been a key player in developing a powerful new technology for editing DNA, called CRISPR-Cas9. The Harvard recruit had founded a small biotechnology company to engineer the genomes of pigs and cattle, sliding in beneficial genes and editing away bad ones. She then stated that the cas9 could be used to edit human DNA. By editing the DNA of these cells or the embryo itself, it could be possible to correct disease genes and pass those genetic fixes on to future
For example, the gene for insulin, a protein naturally found only in the pancreas tissue of higher animals, can be introduced into bacterial cells by way of a plasmid vector. The bacteria can then be grown in large quantities, giving an abundant source of so-called “recombinant” insulin at a relatively low cost. Production of recombinant insulin is also not dependent on the sometimes-variable supply of pancreas tissue from abattoirs. While the potential benefits of genetic engineering are considerable, so may be the potential dangers. For example, the introduction of cancer-causing genes into a common infectious organism, such as the influenza virus, could be hazardous. Consequently, experiments with recombinant DNA are closely regulated and those involving infectious agents are permitted only under the strictest conditions of containment; unforeseen health, environmental, or ecological effects, however, may occur because of genetic …show more content…
scientists reported that they had succeeded in cloning an adult sheep by placing genetic material from one of the sheep’s cells into an egg cell that was taken, its genetic material removed, from another sheep. The developing embryo was inserted into the uterus of a sheep, which subsequently gave birth to the new, clone sheep, dubbed “Dolly.” This development, and subsequent success in cloning other animals, aroused anxious debate over the possibility of human cloning; the prospect of creating copies of existing persons that would be genetically identical—aside from differences in mitochondrial DNA—raised serious ethical and philosophical questions, and prompted a ban in the U.S. on federal funding for human-cloning research. Most people would reject human cloning because they believe it’s messing with “Gods work” but a Harvard recruit from Beijing, said she has been a key player in developing a powerful new technology for editing DNA, called CRISPR-Cas9. The Harvard recruit had founded a small biotechnology company to engineer the genomes of pigs and cattle, sliding in beneficial genes and editing away bad ones. She then stated that the cas9 could be used to edit human DNA. By editing the DNA of these cells or the embryo itself, it could be possible to correct disease genes and pass those genetic fixes on to future