PROS AND CONS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING FEBRUARY 7, 2013

GENETIC ENGINEERING

Changing the traits of one organism by inserting genetic material (DNA / genes) from a different organism into its genetic material (genome).

WHY CHANGE GENOMES? Regular breeding practices performed by Man takes too long G.E. is cheaper than regular breeding One species can be used to make another totally different species: Resistant to disease (medicine) Have increased crop yield (agri.) Make hormones, enzymes and medicines in a shorter time

HOW ARE GENOMES CHANGED? The scientist determines which trait is needed. He locates and extracts the gene for the trait from an organism from one species. He then uses a number of techniques to insert copies of the gene into the genome of another organism usually from a different species. He perform tests to determine which of the new organisms is expressing the trait.

USES OF GENETIC ENGINERING

Yeast engineered to make alcohol from various sugars other than glucose. Bacteria engineered to produce human hormones e.g. insulin for diabetics Plants engineered to have delayed ripening, to be resistant to frost, resistant to fungal and viral infections and resistant to insect attack. Plants engineered to increase yield.

Right here in Jamaica: Papaya, Peppers and Citrus engineered to be resistant to viruses. Cotton engineered to be resistant to insects.

DRAWING THE LINE The world has only recently allowed the general sale and consumption of GE animals, while GE plants have been on the market for years (corn, soybean). We have drawn the line on legally genetically manipulating humans, however………

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

ADVANTAGES Time, money and labour saving Yields many useful products which could help eradicate poverty, starvation, deficiency diseases, illnesses etc. DISADVANTAGES Changes the natural genome of the organism which may be passed to future generations and so original genes lost. Ethical issues Religious issues Social issues

ARTIFICIAL SELECTION VS. GENETIC ENGINEERING

ARTIFICIAL SELECTION Man attains desired traits in organisms by breeding similar organisms Takes a longer time to perfect GENETIC ENGINEERING Man attains desired traits in organisms by inserting gene for trait into another species More efficient process