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, the first GMO was created by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer from experiments with bacteria. Rudolf Jaenisch later on in 1973 created the first transgenic mouse. This was achieved through the introduction of foreign DNA into the embryo of the mouse. The mouse became the first transgenic animal to be created. Eight years later, transgenic mice were developed that could pass their transgenes to offspring.
The first genetically modified plant was developed in 1983 by a team of three scientists, that is, Mary-Dell Chilton, Richard Flavell, and Michael Bevan. Their experiment allowed them to grow new tobacco that carried a resistance gene from a certain disease which was detrimental to ordinary tobacco. A gene gun was invented in 1987 and in 2000 the first plant which has increased nutrient value was developed.
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 involves the utilization of electric pulses to introduce DNA into organisms from various sources. The use of gene gun represents the fourth method. The gun fires tiny particles into intended hosts. Other natural methods for transferring genes also exist. For example, the Agrobacterium is capable of transferring genetic material into plants whereas lentiviruses can do the same thing 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, the first GMO was created by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer from experiments with bacteria. Rudolf Jaenisch later on in 1973 created the first transgenic mouse. This was achieved through the introduction of foreign DNA into the embryo of the mouse. The mouse became the first transgenic animal to be created. Eight years later, transgenic mice were developed that could pass their transgenes to offspring.
The first genetically modified plant was developed in 1983 by a team of three scientists, that is, Mary-Dell Chilton, Richard Flavell, and Michael Bevan. Their experiment allowed them to grow new tobacco that carried a resistance gene from a certain disease which was detrimental to ordinary tobacco. A gene gun was invented in 1987 and in 2000 the first plant which has increased nutrient value was developed.
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 involves the utilization of electric pulses to introduce DNA into organisms from various sources. The use of gene gun represents the fourth method. The gun fires tiny particles into intended hosts. Other natural methods for transferring genes also exist. For example, the Agrobacterium is capable of transferring genetic material into plants whereas lentiviruses can do the same thing 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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