Basics About Genetically Modified GMO

By Mary Evans


What science can achieve is what might cause the eventual destruction of humanity. A review of what genetic engineering can achieve in genetics makes disputing the above statement even less unreasonable. The alteration of the genetic composition of organisms results in what is referred to as genetically modified GMO organisms. When these organisms were first discovered, they did not have many applications. However, that has changed today because their use is in many industries.

Genetic modification of organism owes its origin to selective breeding in which organisms with certain desired organisms are used in breeding the next generation of that organism. With advancements in genetics, scientists were able to alter DNA directly therefore altering genes. The first recombinant DNA was created by Paul Berg by combining DNA from two virus strains in 1972.

In 1973, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer experimented with bacteria and were able to create the first GMO. Later in the same year, Rudolf Jaenisch created a transgenic mouse. The embryo of the mouse had foreign DNA introduced into it and the result was the first ever transgenic animal to be created. Eight years after this first development, mice were developed with the capability of passing their transgene down to offspring.

A team of three scientists was the first to develop a genetically modified plant in 1983. The team was composed of Mary-Dell Chilton, Michael Bevan, and Richard Flavell. Through their experiment, they were able to develop disease resistant variety of tobacco. The invention of a gene gun occurred in 1987 and by the year 2000, the first ever plant with boosted nutrient value was produced.

The process of producing organisms with modified genes involves process of gene deletion, insertion, and mutation. Genes from a different species are inserted in the form of horizontal transfer of genes. This can occur naturally if for any reason exogenous DNA penetrates cell membrane. Gene modification may be done through various ways. First, the genes may be attached to viruses. Secondly, a very small syringe may be used to physically insert extra DNA into the nucleus of the target host.

The use of electric pulses represents the third technique in which introduction of DNA into organisms uses a pulse of electricity. Gene guns also find use as the fourth method in use. The intended host is fired with tiny particles using the gene gun. Natural methods are also available and the can be used to transfer genes. For instance, in plants, gene transfer can be done by the Agrobacterium whereas in animals, the same process can be achieved by lentiviruses.

The use of GMOs is in many applications and industries. The organisms are used in areas like agriculture, medical and biological research, experimental medicine, and in production of pharmaceutical drugs. The discovery and development of treatments and cures for major medical conditions is increasingly becoming dependent on GMOs. To that end, various animals have been genetically engineered including rats, sheep, and pigs.

Many governments place strict regulation on genetic modification of organisms. Regulation standards vary from one country to another. For instance, how the United States regulates this industry is very different from how European nations do it. Often regulation is dependent on the purpose for developing the organisms.




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