Dexter I. McMillon
Genetically Modified Animals
Biology
Assignment #2
Strayer University
Professor
08/23/2015
Genetically Modified Animals
Introduction
In this research paper on gene technology I hope to share some understanding in the process of gene transfer in animals, the process of obtaining genetically engineered animals, and analyze the social and moral implications associated with this gene technology in animals.
Genetic modification of animals started thirty years ago with the production of genetically modified mice. Gene modification is the process of crossing and selective breeding of animals and has been carried out by breeders for quite some time now. These modifications were carried out to obtain certain desirable traits. For example, the Chihuahua was genetically modified from its wolf like ancestors and crossed to obtain other desirable traits like growth, increased resistance to diseases, fatty acid levels, and meat quality. The science of genetic engineering, however, is the introduction of a foreign gene by recombinant DNA technique or biotechnology and knowingly causing a modification in the genome of animals.
Discussion
Biological basis of genetic engineering in animals
In the technology of genetic engineering of animals the first essential step is to ensure that the gene of interest is delivered into the germ line cells. This will ensure that all introduced cells will inherit the entire characteristic of the introduced gene.
Genetically Engineered animals are starting to become prominent in today's society. Engineered animals can offer a great deal to our daily life, they offer a food source, modifying can also help the animal, and they have medical uses as well. However many people think that genetically modifying animals is not ok and that the animal might not be any better off than if it was normal.
modified food seems like a negative thing, there are many beneficial aspects to them. In order to
To understand the modern concept over field of the Genetic Engineering, one must note that, Genetic Engineering has been around since the early stages of human society. Most prominently is the domestication of plants and animals.
When speaking about genetically modified or genetically engineered organisms, an important distinction must be made. This new breed of technology does not use traditional means of gene
When speaking about genetically modifying animals it is important to determine which level of modification is being used. The most common technique of genetically modifying animals, which has been around
‘Selective breeding is the process by which humans select organisms with desirable traits and breed them together so the trait appears in the next generation. The process is repeated over many generations until the characteristic becomes common. Selective breeding now often uses reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination and marker assisted selection, so that the desirable characteristics of one male can be passed onto many offspring. This increases the rate at which the desirable trait is passed to progeny. Marker assisted selection is a molecular technique used to screen a genome for genetic markers that indicate desirable traits. (*1).
The world has seen many changes and advances over the last century, but possibly none that hold as many possibilities as genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is turning up in more and more places, and it is almost certainly here to stay. Just as computers and plastics changed most aspects of living since they were invented, biological engineering has the potential to do the same in the future. This new technology has a wide range of possible benefits, from helping farmers, to improving foods, to helping the environment, to helping sick people. Genetic engineering may even one day be used to help solve world hunger. However, it also has its dangers and risks, which need to be considered along with its benefits. The fact that not
Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material, otherwise known as DNA. Since biochemists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer pioneered genetic engineering in 1973, the process has grown to have numerous applications such as medicine production, for example insulin (Mckinley). However, a main topic of concern is the application of genetic engineering on foods that we eat everyday. By modifying the genetic "blueprint" of crops, it is possible to improve many aspects of agriculture. But with any sort of scientific discovery that allows humans to act as Mother Nature, genetically modifying organisms has been a very controversial topic. Yet our society continues to grow, and the need for the benefits of genetically modified foods continues to grow. Genetically modifying foods should be permitted in our society because it allows larger yields of crops to be produced, produces foods with higher nutritional values, and reduces our global ecological footprint.
It may indeed be true to say that in modern society there is a dispute about genetic modification of animals and its use. There are different opinions about this topic, and one is that these animals should be a part of our life because of some benefits for the human. Some people state that genetically modified animals cause more harmful consequences than benefits. The following research will provide the information about genetically modified animals, its advantages, and disadvantages. It will also give an idea for the reader about the application of genetically modified animals.
Farmers are using different technology for breeding. They used selective breeding to produce animals that exhibit desirable traits and they get more benefit from it. For example, using breeding techniques farmers makes cows which produce more milk with less lactose, and sheep which produce more wool. Farmers accept this new selective breeding technology because in the past, farmers would use growth hormones to promote such qualities. This became problematic when residue of the hormones remained in the meat, leaving it with a foul taste. When researchers began to clone transgenic animals, it became possible to develop certain traits in animals, which increased the quality of their yield. When a farmer would like to raise the standards of a herd, the breeding process is very slow and sometimes incomes can decrease (Wilmut 23). Many times when relying on sexual breeding alone to mass-produce these animals, there are chances of breeding out the desired traits (Freudenrich). Transgenic animal cloning will result in higher quality meats and dairies without the use of artificial hormones. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released in January 2008 concluded “edible products from normal, healthy clones or their progeny do not appear to pose increased food consumption risks relative to comparable products from conventional animals.” After 2008, US Food and Drug Administrative agree to use
The modified genes of transgenic species can be of benefit to humans especially infants. It is possible to modify the genes of a cow in order to allow them
Write a research paper (a report in the persuasive exposition genre), which analyses the issues and impacts of an application of genetic engineering. It will first describe and explain the science behind the technology. Then, drawing on information from secondary sources, the report will evaluate the scientific benefits and risks of the technology involved and its application so that a position can be taken regarding use of the technology. Lastly, it will discuss the factors that influence the development of genetic knowledge. Include a Reference List and an Appendix of secondary data used to write the
Exploration into the function of each gene discovered will continue well into the 21st century. The knowledge gained from this will lead us to better understand the cause of genetically related diseases. Having the ability to recognize the causation of a disease will shift technology from trial and error treatments to specific drugs designed to treat the gene sequence and protein structure. This is called gene therapy and is the most exciting aspect of the HGP. It gives the
The first genetic engineering experiment was conducted in 1973 by Herbert Boyer, of the University of California at San Francisco, and Stanley Cohen, at Stanford University. The duo had successfully combined and replicated genetic information from entirely different species also known as recumbent DNA (“Genetics”). Genetics has made remarkable progress throughout decades of innovation and discovery and will continue to be a bewilderment that is to be solved. The first decade of the 21st century has been one of the most inventive in this field
Direct manipulation of DNA focuses on selective breeding, altering organisms to achieve higher quality products and more of them. These improved