It is a common saying that advancements in science may be the cause of eventual downfall of man. This statement may actually be true considering what science is able to achieve through genetic modification of organisms. Genetically modified GMO refer to organisms that have had their genetic materials modified or altered through the use of genetic engineering techniques. These organisms find a lot of use in the world of research and many other industries.
In selective breeding, the next generation of breed is produced by breeding organisms that possess only those traits that are required. It is from this concept that genetic modification was developed. Gene altering was made possible by developments in genetics that allowed for direct alteration of DNA. Combination of DNA samples from two specimens of virus by Paul Berg in 1972 led to the creation of the first recombinant DNA.
In 1973, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer experimented with bacteria and were able to create the first GMO. Later in the same year, Rudolf Jaenisch created a transgenic mouse. The embryo of the mouse had foreign DNA introduced into it and the result was the first ever transgenic animal to be created. Eight years after this first development, mice were developed with the capability of passing their transgene down 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.
Like stated earlier, GMOs find a lot of use in various industries and applications. They are used in agriculture, experimental medicine, medical and biological research, and in producing pharmaceutical drugs. GMOs are becoming more important in the efforts of discovering and developing treatment and cures for many serious medical conditions. To that end, many different animals have been engineered genetically including sheep, pigs, and rats.
Many governments place strict regulation on genetic modification of organisms. Regulation standards vary from one country to another. For instance, how the United States regulates this industry is very different from how European nations do it. Often regulation is dependent on the purpose for developing the organisms.
In selective breeding, the next generation of breed is produced by breeding organisms that possess only those traits that are required. It is from this concept that genetic modification was developed. Gene altering was made possible by developments in genetics that allowed for direct alteration of DNA. Combination of DNA samples from two specimens of virus by Paul Berg in 1972 led to the creation of the first recombinant DNA.
In 1973, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer experimented with bacteria and were able to create the first GMO. Later in the same year, Rudolf Jaenisch created a transgenic mouse. The embryo of the mouse had foreign DNA introduced into it and the result was the first ever transgenic animal to be created. Eight years after this first development, mice were developed with the capability of passing their transgene down 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.
Like stated earlier, GMOs find a lot of use in various industries and applications. They are used in agriculture, experimental medicine, medical and biological research, and in producing pharmaceutical drugs. GMOs are becoming more important in the efforts of discovering and developing treatment and cures for many serious medical conditions. To that end, many different animals have been engineered genetically including sheep, pigs, and rats.
Many governments place strict regulation on genetic modification of organisms. Regulation standards vary from one country to another. For instance, how the United States regulates this industry is very different from how European nations do it. Often regulation is dependent on the purpose for developing the organisms.
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