Genetic-Engineering-and-GMO

Genetic Engineering

  • Definition: The process by which pieces of DNA are transferred from one organism to another.

  • Examples of organisms involved:

    • Human

    • Bacterium

    • Plant

    • Sheep

    • Fish

Notable Applications of Genetic Engineering

  • Tobacco Plant: Genetically engineered to glow in the dark by introducing a gene from a firefly (First demonstrated in 1986).

Vectors in Genetic Engineering

  • Definition: A vector is needed to transfer a gene into a host cell.

    • Common vectors:

      • Plasmids: Circular pieces of DNA in bacteria.

      • Viruses: Used as carriers of genetic material.

Process of Genetic Engineering

  1. Gene Extraction:

    • DNA carrying a gene of interest is taken from a source cell (e.g., human cell).

  2. Gene Insertion:

    • The gene is inserted into the DNA of another host cell, resulting in recombinant DNA.

  3. Multiplication:

    • The host cell multiplies, now containing the new recombinant DNA.

  4. Protein Production:

    • The host cell produces the desired protein.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

  • Definition: An organism that has foreign DNA integrated into its genetic material.

  • Importance of Plasmids:

    • They act as vectors to carry specific genes into host cells.

Examples of Uses of Genetic Engineering

  1. Insulin Production:

    • Insulin was the first hormone to be synthesized using genetic engineering from bacteria, eliminating dependence on animal sources (pigs, cows).

  2. Growth Hormone:

    • Used to treat dwarfism.

  3. Vaccine Preparation:

    • Genetically engineered vaccines for disease prevention.

  4. Disease Resistance in Plants:

    • Engineering plants to resist viruses such as the tomato mosaic virus.

  5. Rapid Growth in Livestock:

    • Enhancements in growth rates of pigs, cows, and fish.

  6. Increased Milk Production:

    • Cows engineered to produce up to 20% more milk.

  7. Leaner Meat:

    • Pigs engineered to contain less fat.

Gene Therapy

  • Definition: Inserting a gene into a sick person's cells using vectors (e.g., viruses) to treat genetic disorders.

  • Procedure:

    1. Stem cells are extracted from the patient's bone marrow.

    2. Vector carries the new gene into the stem cells.

    3. Modified stem cells are returned to the patient after several days.

Additional Genetic Engineering Applications

  • Golden Rice: Genetically modified to be rich in vitamin A.

  • Drought-Resistant Seeds: Engineered for enhanced survival in arid environments.

  • Silk Production by Goats: Goats engineered to produce spider silk proteins in their milk for use in various products.

  • Fluorescent Tadpoles: Modified with jellyfish genes for environmental monitoring.

  • Featherless Chickens: Adapted to thrive in warmer climates.

  • Pest-Resistant Cabbage: Producing scorpion poison to deter pests.

  • Oil-Eating Bacteria: Engineered to break down oil spills.

  • Strawberries with Antifreeze: Genetically modified to resist freezing temperatures, though modified strawberries may appear blue.

  • Genetically Modified Trees: Faster growth or yield improvements, such as eucalyptus trees that resist freezing.

Hazards of Genetic Engineering

  • Human Health Risks:

    • Increased chances of cancer from genetic modifications.

  • Animal Health Risks:

    • Higher chances of infection in modified beings.

  • Microbial Risks:

    • Potential to create resistance in new microbes that may not be easily treatable with antibiotics.