Genetic Engingeering

When it comes to biotechnology, there are many fascinating aspects, one being known as “genetic engineering”. With this, the genetic code can be altered using artificial means. There are many different examples of how genetic engineering works but one would be injecting sheep with human genes to help the animal secret what is known as alpha-1 antitrypsin in the milk being produced. As a result, the milk can treat certain cases of human lung disease. Another example of genetic e

When it comes to biotechnology, there are many fascinating aspects, one being known as “genetic engineering”. With this, the genetic code can be altered using artificial means. There are many different examples of how genetic engineering works but one would be injecting sheep with human genes to help the animal secret what is known as alpha-1 antitrypsin in the milk being produced. As a result, the milk can treat certain cases of human lung disease. Another example of genetic engineering would be injecting spider genes into a goat which in turn produces milk containing silk.

 

Biotechnology in Medicine and Agriculture

 

Although these examples may seem somewhat strange, with genetic engineering life altering possibilities exist. In other words, for many situations, genetic engineering can be used to improve or enhance a person’s life. Although as with any form of biotechnology there are some limitations, so far, these appear to be few in number. Therefore, the world of medicine, among other sectors, has the chance for tremendous and positive change thanks to genetic engineering.

 

Stem Cell Research and Tissue Engineering

 

As a part of genetic engineering are a number of facets to include stem cell research and tissue engineering. All of these are connected to biotechnology, making possibilities for the future limitless. We wanted to take this opportunity to discuss some of the many benefits associated with genetic engineering, as well as information pertaining to changes on the horizon thanks to recent and ongoing research.

 

As with other forms of biotechnology, tremendous advancements have been made in the genetic engineering arena. To help readers better understand the timeline and advancements made in genetic engineering for modern times, the following information has been provided.

 

• For starters, genetic engineering was first introduced almost 40 years ago when in 1973, two men, Stanley Cohen and Herb Boyer came up with an organism. The world’s first of its kind, this organism was genetically engineered. To accomplish this, Cohen and Boyer used enzymes to cut a bacterial plasmid, which was then inserted with DNA into a created gap. The result was proving to the world that organisms of completely different types could be mixed, allowing them to take DNA and splice it into an e-coli genome.

 

• The next advancement came just four years later when a company founded by Boyer and another man, Robert Swanson called Genetech was able to successfully clone, as well as manufacture somatostatin, a human hormone. To do this, Boyer and Swanson used their newly developed form of genetic engineering.

 

• Then in 1978, genetic engineering took another step forward when Boyer and Swanson used a strain of e-coli to create genetically engineered human insulin.

 

• By 1981, the first transgenic animals were developed using genetic engineering by Ohio University scientists. With this, rabbit genes were spliced into the mouse genome. As a part of this achievement, the scientists were able to pass this onto two additional generations of mice.

 

• While all the above-mentioned developments were remarkable, it was what happened in 1990 that really put genetic engineering on the map. Ashanti DeSilva, a four-year-old girl was given white blood cells that had been genetically engineered as a means of boosting her immune system that had been significantly weakened. This trial proved to work and while additional trials have been completed, this particular mode of genetic engineering remains under some scrutiny and before it can become a standard offering, more research is required.

 

• By 1994 that really made this a well-known technology. At that time, a plant was modified to become known as the Flavr Savr tomato, the only one given official permission to be consumed by humans. Even so, the tomato was only offered for a few years but what scientists found was that with genetic engineering, the fruit did not rot as quickly as tomatoes that have not been genetically altered. At that time, the goal was to use this form of biotechnology to produce an entire crop of tomatoes on the vine, giving them a much longer shelf life but without sacrificing quality or flavor.

 

The bottom line is that genetic engineering has come a long way since 1973 and advancements continue. Scientists, researchers, and even medical professionals anticipate in the next 10 years many sectors, especially agriculture and medicine will be vastly improved because of this means of alteration. Just seeing what has been accomplished so far, the future looks bright, helping farmers, as well as millions of people who live with varying types of disease such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even some forms of cancer.