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الثلاثاء، 10 مايو 2016

Understanding Genetically Modified GMO Organisms

By Mary Evans


What science can achieve is what might cause the eventual destruction of humanity. A review of what genetic engineering can achieve in genetics makes disputing the above statement even less unreasonable. The alteration of the genetic composition of organisms results in what is referred to as genetically modified GMO organisms. When these organisms were first discovered, they did not have many applications. However, that has changed today because their use is in many industries.

Genetic modification of organism owes its origin to selective breeding in which organisms with certain desired organisms are used in breeding the next generation of that organism. With advancements in genetics, scientists were able to alter DNA directly therefore altering genes. The first recombinant DNA was created by Paul Berg by combining DNA from two virus strains in 1972.

In 1973, the first GMO was created by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer from experiments with bacteria. Rudolf Jaenisch later on in 1973 created the first transgenic mouse. This was achieved through the introduction of foreign DNA into the embryo of the mouse. The mouse became the first transgenic animal to be created. Eight years later, transgenic mice were developed that could pass their transgenes to offspring.

The first genetically modified plant was developed in 1983 by a team of three scientists, that is, Mary-Dell Chilton, Richard Flavell, and Michael Bevan. Their experiment allowed them to grow new tobacco that carried a resistance gene from a certain disease which was detrimental to ordinary tobacco. A gene gun was invented in 1987 and in 2000 the first plant which has increased nutrient value was developed.

The process of producing GMOs makes use of processes of gene insertion, mutation, and deletion. Target hosts are inserted with gens through the process of horizontal gene transfer. Horizontal gene transfer can also happen naturally when cell membranes are penetrated by exogenous DNA. Reasons why this happens are diverse. Scientists use different methods of gene modification. The first method has viruses attached with genes. In the second method, nucleus of intended hosts are inserted physically with extra DNA using tiny syringes.

The third method involves the utilization of electric pulses to introduce DNA into organisms from various sources. The use of gene gun represents the fourth method. The gun fires tiny particles into intended hosts. Other natural methods for transferring genes also exist. For example, the Agrobacterium is capable of transferring genetic material into plants whereas lentiviruses can do the same thing in animals.

Many applications and industries make use of GMOs. These organisms get used in manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs, agriculture, medical and biological research, and experimental medicine. The development and discovery of cures and treatments for numerous diseases is increasingly relying on GMOs. That is why many animals are being engineered genetically including sheep, rats, and pigs.

Many governments are involved in the regulation of how genetic modification of animals is done. Each country has different standards for regulation. Some of the major differences in government regulation are between European countries and the United States. Regulation is often dependent on the intended use of the GMO developed.




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