GENETIC ENGINEERING

Is genetic engineering an old technology or new technology? How do you think the cow was formed?

Genetic Engineering? Genetic engineering is actually a very old technology. The cow you saw is a product of the genetic engineering technique called selective breeding. Cows and bulls were chosen and mated based on their muscle mass and size for many generations until the Belgian Cow was born. Farmers and ranchers have used this selective breeding for centuries in order to produce the desired produce and livestock.

What is genetic engineering? Genetic engineering refers to a set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel “fit”organisms. The techniques involve highly sophisticated manipulations of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals in order to create the desired genetic modifications. Genetic engineering is also used to treat diseases and make medicines and biochemicals organisms need in order to be healthy.

Genetic Engineering . . . Genes are the chemical blueprints that determine an organism's traits. Moving genes from one organism to another transfers those traits. Through genetic engineering, organisms are given new combinations of genes—and therefore new combinations of traits—that do not occur in nature and, indeed, cannot be developed by natural means. Such an artificial technology is radically different from traditional plant and animal breeding. Genetic engineering has led to larger animals, crops that can resist insects naturally while staying fresh longer. Genetic engineering is also paving the way to growing human organs for organ transplants.

Genetic Engineering? Johns Hopkins University scientists Se-Jun Lee (L) and Alexandra McPherron (R) view a normal mouse and a genetically-engineered mouse (R) that is two to three times more muscular than the normal mouse. Scientists McPherron, Se-Jin Lee and Ann Lawler created the muscle-bound mouse while working on a newly-discovered gene. The mice may help researchers find treatments for muscular dystrophy or the muscle wasting that accompanies cancer or AIDS.

Genetic Engineering? Two featherless chickens peck around in some grass May 22, 2002 at the Hebrew University in Rehovot. Israeli scientists at the Agriculture department of the university have genetically engineered bare-skinned chickens as part of a research project to develop succulent, low fat poultry that is environmentally friendly. 

Recombinant DNA technology: Step 1 Step one: A scientist must locate the gene they want to transfer into another organism and the genome they would like to place the gene into.

Recombinant DNA technology: Step 2 Step 2: Now the scientist must use restriction enzymes to extract the desired gene. While a scientist is extracting the gene, they must also use the restriction enzyme on the host’s genome in order to create sticky ends that will accept the new gene.

Recombinant DNA: Step 3 Step 3: Now the “new” gene can be inserted into the host DNA. The sticky ends of the gene will line with the sticky ends of the host’s genome because the same restriction enzyme was used on both.

Recombinant DNA: Step 4 Step 4: Now the newly designed genome can be placed back into the host organism to be transcribed and translated into a protein.

Diabetes People who suffer from diabetes have excess blood sugar because their bodies do not make enough insulin. Insulin is the enzyme which removes excess blood sugar from the blood and stores it as glycogen in the liver. If blood sugar level are too high for too long in the blood diabetics do not heal as fast, experience organ damage and can possible become blind or need amputations.

Diabetes Recombinant DNA technology has helped diabetics. Scientists have isolated the human gene which codes for insulin. Scientists then extracted the gene and inserted the gene into a bacteria plasmid. The bacteria plasmid was placed back into live bacteria which transcribed and translated the gene. Now the bacteria are creating human insulin which diabetics can inject into their bodies when their blood sugar levels become too high.

Genetic Engineering to Produce Insulin