Genetic Engineering Hattie Black

Examples of GE Genetic engineering has created a chicken with four legs and no wings. Genetic engineering has created a goat with spider genes that creates "silk" in its milk. The GloFish is a patented brand of genetically modified fluorescent zebra fish.

What is GE? Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic code by artificial means. Genetic engineering works because there is one language of life: human genes work in bacteria, monkey genes work in mice and earthworms. Tree genes work in bananas and frog genes work in rice. There is no limit in theory to the potential of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering has been making headlines since the technology first came to the public's attention. The human body is not perfect. Some are created with inherent faults and others break down before their time. Genetic engineering has few limits - except our imagination, and our moral or ethical code.

Gene Therapy Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene. Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly. Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.

Gene therapy is currently only being tested for the treatment of diseases that have no other cures.

Therapeutic Cloning The aim of therapeutic cloning is to grow nerve, muscles or cartilage to replace worn out tissues. They take the genetic material from a cell in an adult's body and fuse it with an empty egg cell. With the right trigger, this new cell can then be persuaded to develop into an embryo.

It is important because it would allow the creation of perfect-match tissue. Scientists are very confident new nerve cells can be transplanted into sufferers of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. New heart muscle could repair damaged hearts.

Genetic Engineering In Plants The use of Genetic Engineering on plants, crops, and food has also created a great debate among scientists and citizens. Genetic engineering could create crops that grow in desert heat, or without fertiliser. However in terms of plants and crops, Genetic Engineering can cause widespread crop failure.

Human Cloning Human cloning is a type of genetic engineering, but is not the same as true genetic manipulation. In human cloning, the aim is to duplicate the genes of an existing person so that an identical set is inside a human egg. Genetic engineering in its fullest form would result in the child produced having unique genes.

Pro’s Disease could be prevented by detecting people/plants/animals that are genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases, and preparing for the inevitable. Animals and plants can be 'tailor made' to show desirable characteristics. Genes could also be manipulated in trees for example, to absorb more CO2 and reduce the threat of global warming. Genetic Engineering could increase genetic diversity.

Con’s Genetic diversity Dangerous in the wrong hands Nature is an extremely complex inter- related chain consisting of many species linked in the food chain. Frankenstein Effect. Genetic engineering borderlines on many moral issues.

Christian Views Christian views are split. Some Christians may believe that biotechnologists are playing God. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:26) On the other hand, God gave us free will so we could learn from the world.

Muslim Views Muslim views are also split. The Qur’an shows that Allah bestows many gifts on mankind enabling them to discover the mysterious nature around them and to recognize the laws that control the universe. Some Muslims strongly believe that Allah is the only creator for everything in this life. " It is He who created all things and ordained them in due proportions. " (Qur'an, 25:2)