Genes and DNA are how an organism was compiled together and
“created”. They are the unstructions and building blocks of the organism. Once
the DNA is decoded, proteins are made with these “instructions” and then travel
to the correct area within the organism in order to keep the body functioning
properly. Genetically modifying an organism can be very dangerous if scientists
randomly combine or mutate genes. Although scientists did at one time allow
this process to be completely random, they have discovered ways to give
organisms specific traits by giving the organism DNA with the desired trait(s).
When scientists allowed GM products randomly modified, they had to do so with
similar species, however, more specific changes can be done with different
types of organisms.
Some techniques used to transfer different organisms’ cells
into another organism include bacterial carriers, biolistic, electroporation,
gene splicing, gene silencing, microinjection, and viral carriers.
·
Bacterial Carriers are an effective way of
injecting new DNA into an organism because the bacterium, “Agrobacterium” can
infect plants. This is an effective way to insert new genes or traits into a
plant organism because it will infect the plant and transfer this DNA
throughout the organism (plants).
·
Biolistic allow the DNA to be attached to
microscopic particles of gold or tungsten and are then “fired” into the desired
cells using pressurized gas.
·
Electroporation allows a shock of electricity to
tear a small part of the cells wall and allow the desired genetics to make
their way into the nuclei of each of the desired cells. Then these cells go
into a healing mode to close the new genes inside and are soon put back into
the desired organism.
·
Gene silencing is used to “silence”, or get rid
of unwanted traits or characteristics. The gene can be silenced by having a
second copy the wrong way or to insert foreign DNA in order to de-activate the
unwanted gene/trait.
·
Gene splicing is when you place DNA in the
organism and they are designed specifically to work with the bacteria that cuts
the DNA up, causing the section cut off from the DNA to be “sticky” and attach
or paste itself to the desired DNA. After this, other enzymes are used to fuse
the genetics together to make one, and fuse the new gene sequences into the
chromosome.
·
Microinjection is a method used to inject
desired traits into the egg within the female before it attaches to the uterus
and this allows the desired genes to be in nearly all cells/parts of the new
organism.
·
Viral carriers allow the desired DNA to be put
into the genetic makeup of a virus before being put into the organism to infect
the targeted cells. This is often done in ways that it does not harm the
“infected” cells or cause death.
Genetic modification is all around today. Many crops have
been genetically modified in order to handle toxins used to keep bugs from
getting them and other types of toxins used within the fields. Other types of
foods have been altered in order to increase the shelf life or to remove
factors from items that people may be allergic to, such as peanuts in peanut
butter. Other organisms have been genetically modified in order to be “safer”
for organisms, to get rid of unwanted traits or characteristics and other
reasons, depending on the organism and purpose in the environment.
Benefits could include the organism surviving better within
specific climates, or being healthier for people. Some downsides of modifying
some of the organisms include the fact that nature is usually best left
unaltered, it could ruin the taste of the product, or can become much less
healthy to be around or to consume.
Resources
"EarthTalk / Genetically Modified Foods." Darien News. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013. http://www.dariennewsonline.com/news/article/EarthTalk-Genetically-modified-foods-4074240.php.
"Genetically Modified Foods - Home." Genetically Modified Foods - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013. http://gmfhome.weebly.com/.
"Genetically Modified Foods - Techniques." Better Health Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2013. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Genetically_modified_foods_techniques.
"Top 7 Genetically Modified Crops | Stuart Wilde | The Official Author Website." Stuart Wilde. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. http://www.stuartwilde.com/2012/11/top-7-genetically-modified-crops/.
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