Question

What is Genetic engineering, history, steps involved in it, scope and importance?

Answer 1

Genetic engineering:

• Genetic engineering is defined as the technology used to prepare rDNA invitro by pruning up DNA molecules.

• Changing the genome enables the engineer to give the desirable to different organisms.

• These manipulations do not occur under natural conditions.

• They can be done by using recombinant DNA techniques.

• The genetic engineering does not include the traditional techniques such as animal and plant breeding in vitro fertilization, induction of polyploidy, mutagenesis and cell fusion.  

• The above mentioned techniques do not comprise recombinant nucleic acid or genetically engineered organisms in this process.

• The engineered organisms are generated by using the rDNA techniques.

• This phenomenon is considered to be the genetically modified organisms.

History:

• 1973: Created the first genetically modified bacteria.

• 1974: Created GM mice.

• 1982: Firstcommercial development of GMOs (Insulin producing bacteria).

• 1994: Began to sell genetically modified food.

• 2003: Began to sell GMOs as pets.

Steps of GE:

• The steps involved in the genetic engineering are - 

1. Gene isolation.

2. Insertion of gene into a vector to make the rDNA.

3. Transfer of rDNA by means of micro injection, macro injection, micro encapsulation,etc.,

• The incorporation can be done directly or indirectly.

• Indirect fusion of genetic material can be done via a vector system.

• Vector system : This is a virus or other agent that is used to deliver the DNA to a cell or any agent that carries and transfers a disease.

• For example, mosquitoes are the vectors of malaria and yellow fever.

• Direct incorporation of heritable material can be done using 3 techniques-

1. Micro injection:  This denotes the method of using a glass micropipette to introduce substances at a microscopic or borderline macroscopic level into a single living cell.

2. Macro injection: This denotes the injection of plasmid DNA using a hypodermic syringe right into the lumen of the developing inference.

3. Micro encapsulation: This is a process in which minute particles or droplets are surrounded by a coating to give small capsules.

Scope and Importance: 

 

• Genetic engineering has numerous applications in medicine, biotechnology, industry, research and agriculture.

• These applications can be used on a range of animals, plants and many other microorganisms.

• In the field of medicine, genetic engineering has been applied to human growth hormone, mass production of insulin, human albumin which is the abundant protein in human blood plasma and vaccines.

• Monoclonal antibodies are mono specific antibodies that are the same because they are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of human parent cells.

• Antihemophilic factors- Factor 8 is a vital blood clotting factor also identified as antihemophilic factor negative.

• Follistim preparation of gonadotropins from the urine of post menopoausal woman encompassing follicle stimulating hormone and used in conjunction with human chorionic gonadotropin.

• 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 cotroversial applications of genetic engineering is the creation of genetically modified food.

• In material science, a genetically modified virus is used to construct lithium ion batteries.

• Some bacteria create black and white photographs.

• While others have to be used as sensor protein under certain environmental conditions.

• This is also being used to create Bio Art and  novelty items such as blue roses.

Genetic engineering is defined as the technology used to prepare rDNA invitro by pruning up DNA molecules.

This technique occurs under splicing, together break ups from more than one organism.