Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism's
genome using biotechnology. New DNA may be inserted in the host genome by first isolating and
copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence,
or by synthesizing the DNA, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. Genes may be
removed, or "knocked out", using a nuclease.
An organism that is generated through genetic engineering is considered to be a genetically modified
organism (GMO).Genetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields including
research, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, and medicine. Enzymes used in laundry detergent and
medicines such as insulin and human growth hormone are now manufactured in GM cells,
experimental GM cell lines and GM animals such as mice or zebrafish are being used for research
purposes, and genetically modified crops have been commercialized.
Use of Genetic Engineering in the production of Insulin
Genetic engineering processes can make human insulin. Human insulin DNA is placed into the DNA of
a second organism. The host organism becomes an insulin-producing factory.
People with diabetes (called diabetics) do not correctly produce or use their insulin protein. The insulin
protein helps control how much sugar is in your bloodstream. Millions of diabetics need to take insulin.
Insulin from cows and pigs has been used since the early 1900s to treat diabetes. Now human insulin
protein can be mass-produced through genetic engineering processes as follows:
Isolate Gene
Prepare Target DNA
Insert DNA into Plasmid
Insert Plasmid back into cell
Plasmid multiply
Target Cells Reproduce
Cells Produce Proteins
1. Isolate Gene
The gene for producing HUMAN insulin protein is isolated. The gene is part of the DNA in a human
chromosome. The gene can be isolated and then copied so that many insulin genes are available to
work with.
2. Prepare Target DNA
In 1973, two scientists named Boyer and Cohen developed a way to take DNA from one organism and
put it in the DNA of bacterium. This process is called recombinant DNA technology. First, a circular
piece of DNA called a plasmid is removed from a bacterial cell. Special proteins are used to cut the
plasmid ring open.
3. Insert DNA into Plasmid
With the plasmid ring open, the gene for insulin is inserted into the plasmid ring and the ring is closed.
The human insulin gene is now recombined with the bacterial DNA plasmid.

4. Insert Plasmid back into cell

The bacterial DNA now contains the human insulin gene and is inserted into a bacteria. Scientists use
very small needle syringes to move the recombined plasmid through the bacterial cell membrane.
5. Plasmid multiply
Many plasmids with the insulin gene are inserted into many bacterial cells. The cells need nutrients in
order to grow, divide, and live. While they live, the bacterial cell processes turn on the gene for human
insulin and the insulin is produced in the cell. When the bacterial cells reproduce by dividing, the
human insulin gene is also reproduced in the newly created cells.
6. Target Cells Reproduce
Human insulin protein molecules produced by bacteria are gathered and purified. The process of
purifying and producing cow and pig insulin has been greatly reduced or eliminated.
7. Cells Produce Proteins
Millions of people with diabetes now take human insulin produced by bacteria or yeast (biosynthetic
insulin) that is genetically compatible with their bodies, just like the perfect insulin produced naturally
in your body
Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering
Advantages
1) Disease could be prevented by detecting people/plants/animals that are genetically prone to certain
hereditary diseases, and preparing for the inevitable. Also, infectious diseases can be treated by
implanting genes that code for antiviral proteins specific to each antigen.
2) Animals and plants can be 'tailor made' to show desirable characteristics. Genes could also be
manipulated in trees for example, to absorb more CO2 and reduce the threat of global warming.
3) Genetic Engineering could increase genetic diversity, and produce more variant alleles which could
also be crossed over and implanted into other species. It is possible to alter the genetics of wheat plants
to grow insulin for example.
Disadvantages
1)Nature is an extremely complex inter-related chain consisting of many species linked in the food
chain. Some scientists believe that introducing genetically modified genes may have an irreversible
effect with consequences yet unknown.
2) Genetic engineering borderlines on many moral issues, particularly involving religion, which
questions whether man has the right to manipulate the laws and course of nature.