Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering deals with the artificial manipulation and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acids. This process is beyond the scope of the organism’s natural reproductive process. The aim of genetic engineering is to create new characteristics in organisms. For example, using genetic engineering, it is possible to produce crop that is more resistant to pests. It is also possible to create larger sized vegetables and fish.
Genetic engineering has a important role to play in the field of health sciences. In 1982, genetic engineers became successful in producing bacteria that could produce insulin. This has greatly helped millions of people suffering from diabetes. Other achievements of genetic engineering have been the manufacture of erythropoietin in Chinese hamster ovary cells and production of the OncoMouse. OncoMouse is an experimental mouse developed by genetic engineers to study cancer.
Another milestone in genetic engineering is cloning. Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an organism. In 1996, scientists succeeded in cloning a sheep. “Dolly” was the first mammal to be ever cloned from an adult cell. Over the years, many other animals have been cloned. There are many controversies surrounding human cloning, with some organizations claiming that they have successfully cloned humans.
One of the fields of genetic engineering that has gained popularity in recent times is stem cell research. Stem cells are cells that have the ability to differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types. As stem cells can divide into any type of specialized cell in the body, they can be used in medicine. Stem cells can be used to regenerate lost organs like insulin secreting cells of the pancreas.
The field of genetic engineering is still in developmental and research stages. Only the future will decide the direction in which this field will take us.
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