Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering is the branch of science which deals with the changes of genes in an organism by introducing the genes of another organism to acquire desired characteristics.
Genetic Engineering involves the following steps:
Step 1. Select the desired gene
Step 2. Cut out the desired gene
Step 3. Transfer the desired gene and insert it into another organism
Step 4. Replication of modified genes start.
To make plant crops resistant to disease and produce large number of crops.
Uses of genetic engineering
Bacteria are genetically engineered to produce insulin for the treatment of diabetic patients. In diabetes glucose levels go too high or low and to maintain the level of insulin it is injected in the body.
Crops
By genetic engineering, we can maximize the production of crops and prevent them from insects and other harmful pathogens.
Golden Rice
Rice have been genetically engineered by scientists. They have introduced beta-carotene in rice in order to fulfil the deficiency of vitamin A. Beta carotene produces vitamin A which prevents blindness in people.
Benefits and Dangers of Genetic Engineering
Advantages Of Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering is beneficial for various reason.
1. Prevention from plants and animals diseases
Genetically engineered plants are resistant to diseases and can prevent future problems.
In human, defective genes can be altered, which can prevent the worst situations.
2. Food Scarcity
Genetically engineered crops are the solution to food scarcity. Due to this technique, crops can grow fast and through this way it can feed the world.
3. Storage of crops
Genetically engineered crops can be stored for a long period of time. It cannot be spoiled as non-GMO crops.
4. Required Less pesticide
Genetically engineered crops doesn't need many pesticides in order to prevent any kind of insects because they are already resistant to diseases and insects as well.
5. Faster Growth Rate
GMO-crops have the highest growing rates than traditional crops. It took so many months to grow healthy crops. So, by this technique, future agriculture has an ideal addition.
6. Increased life span
Due to genetically modified DNA it resists disease, which results the increased life span of humans.
7. Selective Breeding
By genetic engineering, breeding of plants or animals takes place with the desired trait to produce offspring which contains desired genes. In this process, undesirable genes also produces with desired genes. This problem can be avoid by selecting only specific genes to implant. This prevents introducing of other genes with undesirable genes.
Disadvantages of genetic engineering
Everything has some advantages and some disadvantages. Let’s discuss about the cons of genetic engineering.
1. Expensive Science
To do this technique, we need experts and equipments to do this technique in laboratories under specific conditions. It costs so much that it is very difficult for small businesses to take benefit from this technique as higher corporates.
2. It can cause cancer in human.
3. It can cause infections in animals.
4. Development of new microbes which could be difficult to kill by anti biotic.
5. It suppresses immunity and effects on organ development and metabolism.
6. Genetically engineered foods contains toxicity which can cause harmful effects on human beings.
7. For religious and ethical concerns we should not play God.
8. Genetically engineered foods can cause allergic reactions.
9. Antibiotic resistant to humans.
Conclusion
No doubt genetic engineering has wide verity of benefits in agriculture, medicine and in surgery etc. On the other hand it can cause dangers as well.
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