Intro#1the development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population.

#a technique that produces unlimited amounts of otherwise unavailable or scarce biological product by introducing DNA isolated from animals or plants into bacteria and then harvesting the product from a bacterial colony, as human insulin produced in bacteria by the human insulin gene.

#Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology. It is therefore a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms.

The science of altering and cloning genes to produce a new trait in an organism or to make a biological substance, such as a protein or hormone. Genetic engineering mainly involves the creation of recombinant DNA, which is then inserted into the genetic material of a cell or virus.

to study

As a genetic engineer, you'll alter genes in order to improve the biological capabilities of humans, plants and animals. In this field, your main goal is to help people lead quality lives. As a gene therapist, you'll treat human patients with genetic illnesses. Otherwise, you might work in a non-medical environment as a biochemist or biophysicist, exploring living organisms such as plants used as food crops. Your work will involve handling harmful organisms and toxins. You'll typically work full-time with a consistent schedule. The following table outlines the primary requirements that employers look for when hiring genetic engineers.

Imp

Genetic Engineering is getting importance because of its use in different fields.

In medicine genetic engineering has been used to mass-produce insulin, human growth hormones, follistim (for treating infertility), human albumin, monoclonal antibodies, antihemophilic factors, vaccines and many other drugs.

Genetic engineering is an important tool for natural scientists. Genes and other genetic information from a wide range of organisms are transformed into bacteria for storage and modification, creating genetically modified bacteria in the process.

By engineering genes into bacterial plasmids it is possible to create a biological factory that can produce proteins and enzymes. One of the best-known and controversial applications of genetic engineering is the ceation of genetically modified food.

In materials science, a genetically modified virus has been used to construct a more environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery. Some bacteria have been genetically engineered to create black and white photographs while others have potential to be used as sensors by expressing a fluorescent protein under certain environmental conditions. Genetic engineering is also being used to create Bio Art and novelty items such as blue roses, and glowing fish.

case study

Dolly was the first reported mammal to have been cloned from an adult cell, by the Roslin Institute in Scotland.

The controversial announcement was made in February 1997. Six years later, Dolly died.

Dolly was made by emptying an egg of its nucleus and inserting an adult cell in its place. The process is known as somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Much controversy surrounded every aspect of Dolly's life, particularly her premature aging. It appears that she was genetically six years old when she was born, so got arthritis at a very early age and died young.

The cloning of a sheep, and the problems it raised, makes any talk of developing a similar sort of technique in humans merely theoretical at this stage - scientists realise they need to refine the procedure before they would be allowed to try this with humans.

Obj of case stdy

The purpose was not the act of cloning dolly itself, but rather the implications that came as a consequence of the knowledge that we could employ recombinant DNA technology in living organisms to create a clone.

An example of recombinant DNA technology in organisms being put to commercial and productive use is to breed animals (i.e. cows or other dairy - producing livestock) that due to changes in the genetic coding, are able to produce hormones and/or other useful chemicals for humans (insulin, for example, could be produced naturally in the cow's milk) - this genetic trait might occasionally be passed onto offspring naturally, reducing the need to repeat this process.

Table 1

Number of farm households sampled in India in four survey rounds.

Farm households 2002 2004 2006 2008 Total

Adopters of Bt 131 246 333 375 1085

Non-adopters of Bt 210 117 14 5 346

Total 341 363 347 380 1431

summary

Scientists are now capable of creating new species of animals by taking genetic material from one, or more, plants or animals, and genetically engineering them into the genes of another animal. This allows scientists to create animals that are on one hand completely foreign to the earth and on the other, specifically tailored to possess only the traits that humans desire in animals.

This means that science can engineer farm animals to grow faster, have healthier meat and flesh, and be less able to feel the pain and suffering often associated with the conditions present in modern factory farms. Genetically engineered animals are also created to help medical researchers in their quest to find cures for genetic disease, like breast cancer. Finally, endangered animal species can be cloned, thus helping wildlife management in its goals of preserving wild populations of the earth’s biological diversity, and by ensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies.

This use of modern technology is not without its drawbacks or its critics. By genetically engineering farm and research animals, critics argue, we may be undoing what nature has worked to create over millions of years. Natural animals are specifically adapted to a given environment and when science manipulates the genes of a few species in the ecosystem, the entire balance of the ecosystem might fall completely apart causing an unknown number of natural animal species to grow ever extinct. Others argue that animals should possess, at a bare minimum, the right to be free of genetic manipulation or a reduction in their natural abilities.

Despite this debate, the law in both the United States and in Europe, tends to support genetic engineering research and development by allowing genetically engineered animals to be patented. Patents give scientists a monopoly over their genetically engineered animal species, something before unheard of in modern economic systems. Typically, animals could be owned, but never entire species.

Regardless, we must not wait and see what the effects genetic engineering animals will have on the earth. We must form educated opinions, lobby for government regulation, and hope that whatever direction that bioengineering takes us, is a positive step towards decreased animal suffering, increased environmental sustainability, and an overall compassionate regard for the earth and its precious life.

Concl

o date, countries where genetically modified crops have been introduced in fields, have not reported any significant health damage or environmental harm. Monarch butterflies have not been significantly affected. Pests have not developed resistance to Bt. Some evidence of herbicide tolerant weeds has emerged, but superweeds have not invaded agricultural or natural ecosystems. On the contrary, important social and environmental benefits are emerging. Farmers are using less pesticides or using less toxic ones, reducing harm to water supplies and workers' health, and allowing the return of beneficial insects to the fields.

Meanwhile, technical or management solutions have been found to address some of the concerns associated with the first generation of genetically modified crops, such as antibiotic resistance.

However, the fact that no negative effects have so far been observed does not mean that such effects cannot occur. Therefore scientists encourage further research.

FAO supports a science-based evaluation system that would objectively determine the benefits and risks of each individual GMO. This calls for a cautious case-by-case approach to address legitimate concerns for the biosafety of each product or process prior to its release. The possible effects on biodiversity, the environment and food safety need to be evaluated, and the extent to which the benefits of the product or process outweigh its risks assessed. The evaluation process should also take into consideration experience gained by national regulatory authorities in clearing such products. Careful monitoring of the post-release effects of these products and processes is also essential to ensure their continued safety to human beings, animals and the environment.

“Science cannot declare any technology completely risk free. Genetically engineered crops can reduce some environmental risks associated with conventional agriculture, but will also introduce new challenges that must be addressed. Society will have to decide when and where genetic