Genetic engineering: The Facts

Essay by porkypig1990High School, 10th gradeA+, February 2006

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In the 1970's, scientists discovered that strands of DNA could be cut using special enzymes, which could cut out genetic combinations. DNA contains information about genes particular organisms hold. Exact copies of genes can also be made through genetic engineering and are very useful for medical practices. Advances in technology have raised issues such as animal and human cloning. These issues have caused many different sided arguments.

Genetic engineering is when scientists change or alter the genetic code inside of the DNA or other genetic materials. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid, and it's the map for all living things. DNA determines the characteristics of your body including whether you have blue or brown eyes or if your hair is blonde or brunette. Scientists can make several some small changes in animals and plants by changing the genetic code in the DNA this is done by cutting a section from a different DNA source and putting it into the DNA that they want to alter.

They've made several new drugs to help people in need and modified food plants to grow bigger, faster and resist catching deadly diseases. Some people are concerned that genetic engineering of foods, plants, animals, and sometimes humans isn't healthy for the environment, or for the sake of man kind and that cloning these things could lead to large ethical problems in the world.

(Aided by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering) look below

"It often involves the isolation, manipulation and reintroduction of DNA into cells or model organisms, usually to express a protein. The aim is to introduce new characteristics such as making a crop resistant to a herbicide, introducing a novel trait, or producing a new protein or enzyme. Examples include the production of human insulin through the use of modified bacteria, the production of erythropoietin in Chinese Hamster...