Genetic Engineering is the use of various methods to manipulate the DNAof cells to change hereditary traits or produce biological products. It involve gene splicing or recombinant DNA, in whihc the DNA of a desired gene is inserted into the DNA of a bacterium,which then reproduces itself yielding more of the desired gene.
Genetic Engineering Techniques
1) Recombinant DNA
- the common technique that relies on biological vectors like plasmids & vectors
2) Microinjection
- simply injecting the genetic materialof the new gene into the recipient cell
3) Electro- and Chemical Poration
- involves creating pores or holes int he cell membrane to allow entry of the new genes
4) Bioballistics
- projectile method that uses metal silvers to deliver the genetic material to the interior of the cell
Purposes of Genetic Modification- Improve & extend shelf life of crops
- Improve nutritional value
- Improved farmer's crop yield
- Pest resistance
- Herbicide resistance
- Pharmaceutical benefits
Risks of Genetic Engineering
>>> Potential Harm to Health
- Transferring of gene, could bring about new allergens in food supply
- The presence of antibiotic-resistance genes could be harmful in the long run
- Addition of new genetic material can activate the inactive pathways in the organism hence indirectly causing the production of new toxins
>>> Potential Environmental Harm
- Increased weediness; Weeds are plants that grow unaided by humans in places where they have unwanted effects. A new combination of traits might enable crops to thrive unaided in the environment in circumstances where they would then be considered new or worse weeds WHICH COULD SEVERELY INHIBIT CROP YIELD..
- Cross pollination to wild or weedy relatives could intensify the weedy properties.
- Certain Genetically engineered crops like Bt crops; pest constantly exposed to it could develop a resistance and will render the Bt pesticide useless..
- One of the most common application of genetic engineering is the production of virus-tolerant crops. The plants producing viral components on their own are resistant to subsequent infection by those viruses. Such plants, however, pose other risks of creating new or worse viruses through two mechanisms: recombination and transcapsidation.
