Genetic Therapies/Engineering

The Definition , Techniques , and Legal and Ethical Issues Involved in Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering is the alteration of the genetic material of an organism in to remove characteristics which are undesirable or to produce new characteristics which are necessary and more advantageous It is used to aid in the disposal of industrial wastes , and improve animal and plant food production . It is likewise used in the improvement of medical treatment , diagnosis of diseases , and in the production or creation of vaccines and other beneficial drugs (Genetic Engineering , 2005

Genetic engineering

techniques involve highly complex manipulations of genetic matter and othe biologically vital chemicals . It involves gene transfer to a great extent . Genes contain the traits of organisms , and the movement of genes from one organism to another facilitates the transfer of these traits . Genetic engineering generate new gene combinations in organisms which result to acquisition of new traits that are not developed in nature or by natural means . In this sense , it is regarded as artificial technology which is traditional way of breeding plants and animals . One traditional way of gene combination in organisms is sexual reproduction where reproductive mechanisms only allow and limit a certain number of combinations to be produced naturally . This restriction does not cover genetic engineering as it has the ability to mix genes and come up with combinations which are not found in nature

Genetic engineering techniques include recombinant DNA , microinjection electro and chemical poration , and bioballistics . Recombinant DNA is a technique which uses biological vectors such as plasmids or viruses to carry or transfer foreign genes into cells . Microinjection does not rely on vectors but simply injects genetic material with the new gene into the receiving cell . Electro and chemical poration involves the creation of holes or pores in the cell membrane through bathing cells in chemical solutions or subjecting the cells to low electric current , so the new genes can enter . The last technique is Bioballistics which involves projectile methods which use small metal slivers in delivering genetic material inside the cell (Genetic Engineering Techniques , 2005 . Genetic engineering may be a tremendous leap of success for scientists and researchers but not everybody or not all sectors are embracing this scientific breakthrough . The most pervasive debate has something to do with moral or religious issues relating to the concept of playing God ' or creating organisms which are not part of the natural Creation of living organisms outside the natural means is going beyond the moral bounds of the limited role of a human being in relation to manipulation and creation of a course of nature . Legal issues arising from genetic engineering include patents because it involves methods used to acquire patents on human genes and to create living organisms which are patentable (Genetic Engineering . Although one goal of genetic engineering is to develop the health and performance of human beings , ethical issues arise due to the processes involved and the intention of altering nature 's design . Determining the identity or the terms...