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.
Selective breeding is a form of breeding in which only organisms with desired traits are bred to produce the next generation. Genetic modification owes its origin to this phenomenon. Genetics underwent a lot of advancements that enabled scientists to alter DNA directly, causing genes to be altered. Paul Berg combined DNA from two strains of virus and created the first recombinant DNA in 1972.
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.
A team of three scientists was the first to develop a genetically modified plant in 1983. The team was composed of Mary-Dell Chilton, Michael Bevan, and Richard Flavell. Through their experiment, they were able to develop disease resistant variety of tobacco. The invention of a gene gun occurred in 1987 and by the year 2000, the first ever plant with boosted nutrient value was produced.
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 makes use of an electric pulse to introduce DNA from one organism into the cells of others. The fourth method makes use of the gene gun to fire small particles into target hosts. There are other methods that take advantage of natural forms of transferring genes. For instance, the Agrobacterium has the ability to transfer genetic material into plants while lentiviruses have the same capability 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.
Genetic modification of organisms is under strict regulation by most governments. Standards of regulation differ among various countries. For instance, regulation in European countries is very different from modification in the US. The intended use of GMOs determines the level of regulation placed on them.
Selective breeding is a form of breeding in which only organisms with desired traits are bred to produce the next generation. Genetic modification owes its origin to this phenomenon. Genetics underwent a lot of advancements that enabled scientists to alter DNA directly, causing genes to be altered. Paul Berg combined DNA from two strains of virus and created the first recombinant DNA in 1972.
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.
A team of three scientists was the first to develop a genetically modified plant in 1983. The team was composed of Mary-Dell Chilton, Michael Bevan, and Richard Flavell. Through their experiment, they were able to develop disease resistant variety of tobacco. The invention of a gene gun occurred in 1987 and by the year 2000, the first ever plant with boosted nutrient value was produced.
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 makes use of an electric pulse to introduce DNA from one organism into the cells of others. The fourth method makes use of the gene gun to fire small particles into target hosts. There are other methods that take advantage of natural forms of transferring genes. For instance, the Agrobacterium has the ability to transfer genetic material into plants while lentiviruses have the same capability 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.
Genetic modification of organisms is under strict regulation by most governments. Standards of regulation differ among various countries. For instance, regulation in European countries is very different from modification in the US. The intended use of GMOs determines the level of regulation placed on them.
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