The Beginner's Guide to Genetic Engineering (FAQ)
What is genetic engineering?The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines genetic engineering as "the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics."
What does that mean?Genetic engineering is when an organism is changed at its basic molecular level in order to give it a more desirable trait.
What are some other names for genetic engineering?Gene splicing, gene modification, gene manipulation, and recombinant DNA technology are all names that can be used for genetic engineering.
How can genetic engineering be used?Genetic engineering can be used in many different scientific fields and has many scientific applications. Genetic engineering can be used in the medical field through the use of gene therapy and stem cell research to help cure or alleviate many diseases. It can also be used in the agriculture to help increase the efficiency and yield of crop production.
What are some of the diseases that can be cured with genetic engineering and how is this possible? Gene therapy is the practice of replacing damaged, defective, disease causing genes with new and healthy ones. This practice has been used to cure hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. This is often done with stem cells. Stem cells are blank cells that can be genetically engineered into specific cells. Stem cells can be manipulated into different genes, and have been used to treat diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease. For more information on gene therapy and stem cell research, please visit their respective pages, which can be found under the Medical tab.
|
How can genetic engineering be used in the agricultural field?Genetic engineering is beneficial to the agricultural field through a variety of ways. Genetic engineering can be used to give farmers a greater crop yield and produce a longer shelf life. In addition, crops can be genetically engineered to contain an increased amount of Vitamin A, be resistant to drought, and they can even be engineered to be resistant to pests themselves, thereby eliminating the need for environmentally damaging herbicides and pesticides. Genetic engineering can also be used to immunize crops from incredibly damaging diseases. For more information on agricultural genetic engineering, please visit the Agricultural page.
If genetic engineering is so helpful and beneficial, then why is there so much controversy surrounding it?It is no secret that the topic of genetic engineering, both in the medical and agricultural fields is a very controversial one. Many people view genetic engineering as unethical and immoral, but that is not the case. Many people view it as dangerous, but that has been disproved by scientists. People let the media skew their views of genetic engineering, instead of actually informing themselves on the subject and coming to an opinion of their own. The purpose of this website is to inform and educate people on the benefits of genetic engineering, o that people will be able to form a better, more educational view on the subject. Genetic engineering is something that is wonderful and life-changing. It will take the science community to new heights, but only if people are properly informed on it.
|