Biological Sciences
Uses of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is used in various fields such as agriculture, medicine, and industry. In agriculture, it is employed to create genetically modified crops with desirable traits. In medicine, genetic engineering is used to produce pharmaceuticals, develop gene therapies, and create genetically modified organisms for research. In industry, it is utilized to produce enzymes, chemicals, and biofuels.
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12 Key excerpts on "Uses of Genetic Engineering"
- Y. H. Hui, E. Özgül Evranuz, Y. H. Hui, E. Özgül Evranuz(Authors)
- 2015(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
81 4 Use of Genetic Engineering: Benefits and Health Concerns Allah Bakhsh, Faheem Shehzad Baloch, Rüstü Hatipo ğ lu, and Hakan Özkan 4.1 Introduction Genetic engineering is the technique of excising, changing, or adding genes to a DNA molecule to alter the inbuilt information. With the modification of such information, the type or amount of protein is changed that an organism produces naturally. Applications of genetic engineering technologies are widespread ranging from the development of drugs, human gene therapy, enhanced agricultural produc-tivity, food processing, and friendly environment to chemical and pharmaceutical industries (Gasser and Fraley 1989). Selective breeding has played a pivotal role in improving crop plants and animals from prehistoric times. In fact, agriculture started right from the selection of wild grasses, followed by subsequent breeding, to develop precursors of modern staples such as wheat, rice, and maize (Baloch et al. 2010; Comertpay et al. 2012). The conventional breeding has contributed significantly in the development of high-yielding crop varieties since past centuries; however, the pace of development of new crop cultivars has been relatively slow along with the limitation of fertility barriers allowing only plants of the same or closely related species for hybridization. Current genetic engineering approaches to crop improvements have gained momentum in developed as well as developing countries (Hussain 2002; Bakhsh et al. 2009). The journey of genetic engineering started in 1973 when restriction enzymes were used to cut a bacte-rial plasmid and another strand of DNA was inserted in the gap. Both segments of DNA were from the same type of bacteria. This milestone led to the invention of recombinant DNA technology that opened CONTENTS 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................
eBook - PDF- John E. Smith(Author)
- 2004(Publication Date)
- Cambridge University Press(Publisher)
However, released transgenic plants will continue to be monitored, to validate these conclusions. Some recombinant genes for pest resistance produce in the plant a product that is toxic to the pest. The possible toxicity of this to humans must always be considered and will be regularly assessed by standard techniques for testing the safety of foods. 14.3 Genetic modification and food uses Modern biotechnology has its ancestral roots in the early fermentations of foods and beverages which span almost all societies. Since these early times, man has progressively applied selection procedures to encourage beneficial improvements in the individual microorganisms, plants or animals used for food production. While early methods were mainly empirical, the expand- ing knowledge of genetics allowed a new approach to selective breeding between like species. These, now conventional, genetic techniques, have become accepted worldwide and have not caused any public concern. Genetic engineering is increasingly being applied to many breeding programmes to achieve the same aims as the traditional methods, but offering two main advantages: (1) the introduction of genes can be controlled with greater prediction and precision than by previous methods. (2) the introduction of genes into unrelated species is not possible using traditional methods. 246 Public perception of biotechnology The application of genetic engineering to food production is intended to enhance the useful and desirable characteristics of the organisms and to eliminate the undesirable. The overall aim of the food industry, with respect to genetic engineering, will be: to improve the quantity and increase the quality and properties of existing food productions, to produce new products and, of course, to improve financial returns. The consumer has always shown a willingness to pay more for better and more convenient products and to reject products that do not meet their expectations.
- Hajiya Mairo Inuwa, Ifeoma Maureen Ezeonu, Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Emmanuel Olufemi Ekundayo, Abubakar Gidado, Abdulrazak B. Ibrahim, Benjamin Ewa Ubi(Authors)
- 2022(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
The authors have also predicted the application of biotechnology in high resilient farm animals, improved quality products, heightened production of food preservatives, and robust waste product utilization. They noted that the utilization is also possible in quality assurance schemes in reducing bad products deleterious to public safety. Wang et al. (2009) revealed that biotechnology plays a central role in the detection of species-species and genus-transferred microsatellites, or simple sequence repeat biomarkers. Studies have shown that DNA are spread throughout the eukaryotic cells in the mitochondrial or nucleus and chloroplasts. The utilization of microsatellite provides answers to the study of replication, evolution, repair, mutation or recombination. Hence, it has become a powerful tool in insect, animal, and plant gene study like genetic mapping, diversity studies, or assisted-marker selection. Mebratu et al. (2014) revealed that genetic engineering can be described as a process involved in the manipulation of genetic components of cells like RNA and/or DNA in order to improving yield, changing or modifying products. It involves in vitro or in vivo techniques, gene therapy or generation of new strains from microorganisms for industrial or pharmaceutical utilization. The authors revealed that the utilization of genetic engineering for animal production with resistance to pathogens, production of vaccines, and increasing yield in agriculture has grown exponentially. Though many concerns have been raised like alteration of natural process of genetic equilibrium, cost and ethical concerns, the utilization of this cutting-edge technology holds a promising future for livestock production. 8.3 Applications of Genetic Engineering 8.3.1 Disease Resistance In fighting pathogens, biotechnological tools are utilized such as in genetic selection of traits for livestock production with disease or pathogenic resistance
eBook - ePubEngineering Genesis
Ethics of Genetic Engineering in Non-human Species
- Donald Bruce, Ann Bruce(Authors)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
In the first instance, it poses these questions for developed Western societies, like Scotland, whose fabric is reasonably stable and secure, and where people have the luxury of time to ponder such issues. But the implications and effects of genetic engineering are global. If survival depends on the next crop or the next meal or a drinkable water supply, then the ethics of applying new technology assumes a lesser significance.It is in this context that this chapter sets out to explain something of what genetic engineering is, for those unfamiliar with it, and to illustrate something of the range of applications of gene technology to animals, plants and micro-organisms, by way of introduction to the 11 case studies. The theme of this book is how this world interacts with the world of ethics and values, whose concepts and terminology can seem equally unfamiliar to many scientists. Some of the basic tools and terms used in ethics will be explained in Chapter 3 , as well as how these are applied to the fundamental issues which underlie genetic engineering. Appendix 3 will suggest some methods which readers may find helpful to assess the ethical issues for themselves.AN INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC ENGINEERING CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUESWhat is Genetic Engineering?Genetic engineering is a very broad term which covers a range of ways of manipulating the genetic material of an organism. It is also variously called gene manipulation, genetic manipulation, recombinant DNA technology, the new genetics, targeted genetics and, in humans only, gene therapy. In popular thinking it is frequently confused with cloning, which is not at all the same. The cells of living organisms contain genetic material which regulates the processes of the organism. This genetic material consists mostly of the complex chemical known as DNA, although sometimes it involves the related chemical RNA (ribonucleic acid). Pieces of this genetic material form genes and it is the ability to identify and manipulate one or more of these genes which underlies genetic engineering. It is estimated that there are something like 100,000 genes in a mammal and about 80,000 in a plant. Genetic engineering can involve manipulating genes both within species or between species. The products are generally referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or transgenic organisms. Since the early 1970s, genetic engineering has developed very rapidly as a powerful new tool for both the biological research sciences and the biotechnology industries, and an increasing number of applications are being brought to market.
eBook - PDFGenetically Modified Foods
Basics, Applications, and Controversy
- Salah E. O. Mahgoub(Author)
- 2016(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
59 3 Applications of Genetic Modification at the Laboratory and Greenhouse Levels 3.1 GENETIC MODIFICATION OF PLANTS Although the term “genetic modification” (GM) is widely used today to denote modern biotechnology, or more specifically “genetic engineer-ing” (GE), it can be argued that any human intervention to change the natural genetic make-up of a living organism is regarded as GM. As the records show, thousands of years back (as reflected in Section 2.2.1), farm-ers and scientists have been actively engaged in continuous efforts to improve farm plants and yard animals both quantitatively and qualita-tively. Before the advent of new biotechnologies during the 1970s, a num-ber of techniques have been discovered and used for GM. The following sections highlight and discuss some of these techniques, conveniently referred to by the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council of the National Academies (2004) as “techniques other than GE” or “tech-niques not involving GE.” GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS 60 3.2 NONGENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES (CONVENTIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY) 3.2.1 Simple Selection As the term “simple selection” implies, this method does not involve complex or many steps, and that what is basically done is choosing from among a population of plants or animals based on exhibiting desirable or superior characteristics. Since the beginning of agriculture, 8000–10,000 years ago, farmers have been altering the genetic make-up of the crops they grow (ISAAA 2005). Early farmers used the simple selection method and it is still in use today. Together with domestication of wild animals, this method is regarded as the oldest and easiest method of GM. Farmers would inspect and identify which of their plants (or animals) look better than the others with respect to the desired characteristics, for example, higher yields, faster growth, superior sensory properties, pest and dis-ease resistance, larger seeds, or sweeter fruits.
eBook - ePubGenetic Engineering
Volume 1: Principles Mechanism, and Expression
- Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Jameel M. Al-Khayri, Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Jameel M. Al-Khayri(Authors)
- 2023(Publication Date)
- Apple Academic Press(Publisher)
Chapter 3 Tools Used in Genetic EngineeringANKITA SHARMA,1 AHMAD ALI,1 and JOHRA KHAN2 ,31 Department of Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India2 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia3 Health and Basic Sciences Research Center, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi ArabiaDOI: 10.1201/9781003378266-3ABSTRACT
The use of recombination technique was followed by many civilizations for increasing production in agriculture and animal husbandry, but due to lack of specialized tools, the outcome was less and limited. With the development of genetic engineering, many aspects of our lives are changed and it plays an important role in all fields from agriculture to disease diagnosis and treatment. In this chapter, we try to focus on different tools of genetic engineering that made many developments in modern science.3.1 Introduction
Genetic engineering is a tool used in modern biology to change an organism’s genetic structure using recombinant DNA (RDNA) technology (Flores, 2019 ). Conventionally, our ancestors used to regulate breeding by selecting offspring with required traits by manipulating their genomes indirectly (Oliveira et al., 2017 ). The definition that is recorded is “The process to modification of one or more genes is known as genetic engineering.” It is also known as genetic modification (Baltimore et al., 2015 ) or genetic manipulation (Akram et al., 2020 ).________________________________ Genetic Engineering, Volume 1: Principles, Mechanism, and Expression. Tariq Ahmad Bhat & Jameel M. Al-Khayri (Eds.) © 2023 Apple Academic Press, Inc. Co-published with CRC Press (Taylor & Francis)To develop a preferred phenotype in an organism, a selected gene from identified species is generally added to the genome of chosen plant or animal (Zachariah & Pappachen, 2009 ). The new DNA that is produced by segregating and replication of the genetic material of interest using RDNA technology (Bekana, n.d.; Muntaha et al., 2016 ) or by creating it artificially (Mehra et al., 2020 ). For injecting foreign DNA into a host organism, need to have a construct made (Ashok et al., 2015 ). The first DNA recombinant was developed by Paul Berg developed in 1972 (Berg & Mertz, 2010 ) by merging DNA of monkey virus SV40 with lambda virus DNA (Yi, 2008
eBook - PDF- Raymond Spier(Author)
- 2001(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
28 –29 It is also wor-thy of report that the complete sequence of the human genome was pub-lished on June 26, 2000—a day that is likely to become a focal point in time in the history of life on Earth. The potential capabilities that will emerge from the suite of tools used for genetic engineering include the following: • To predict future disease states • To eliminate genetically caused diseases • To predict the potential for exceptional characteristics in particular humans • To enhance the human genome • To determine the paternity of children • To increase human (and other animal) life spans • To produce biopharmaceuticals to cure diseases and new vaccines to prevent infectious and noninfectious diseases (present success in this area now accounts for about 5% of the sales [some $15 billion] of all pharmaceuticals and vaccines in the U.S.) • To produce plants with enhanced nutritional properties, which can grow in less hospitable environments under conditions where the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can be markedly reduced (cf. bio-diversity below) • To identify criminals • To improve the productivity of processes dependent on the use of bio-logical agents • To acquire a knowledge of the human condition and its history to put into a realistic framework the continuous development of guidelines for behavior Yet, from the time when journalists and members of the public realized that the implications of this pioneering work were actually in the making, there has been a concerted, vociferous, and, at times, passionate attack on the field of genetic engineering. Whether the engineered organisms are microbes, plants, animals, or humans, it seems that there are four common arguments that are used in various guises. These may be summarized as follows: 1. The unpredictable disaster 2. Unnatural 3. Usurping God’s work 4. Commercial exploitation of life (i) The disaster scenario.
eBook - ePubPharmacognosy
Fundamentals, Applications and Strategies
- Rupika Delgoda, Simone Badal Mccreath, Simone Badal McCreath(Authors)
- 2016(Publication Date)
- Academic Press(Publisher)
At that time, biotechnology encompassed the use of living organisms for the production of new products from raw materials of biological origin. Hence the name consisting of a combination of the Greek words: bios—life; techno–technical; and logos—study. Since then the definition of biotechnology has been redeveloped a number of times [2], but the most widely accepted definition was given by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1981 [3]. The OECD defines biotechnology as “the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents.” For much of the 20th century, the term “biotechnology” continued to be broadly used in reference to technologies ranging from the fermentation of products to the selective breeding of plants. In recent years, the term modern “biotechnology” has been used interchangeably with biotechnology and has become almost synonymous with genetic modification and the targeted utilization of the methods of molecular biology. The “modern” in modern biotechnology presumably differentiates between the present applications of genetic engineering and cell fusion from the past conventional methods of biotechnology such as fermentation and selective breeding. The definition of biotechnology as given by the European Federation of Biotechnology is “Biotechnology is the integration of biochemistry, microbiology and engineering sciences to achieve technological (industrial) application of the capabilities of microorganisms, cultured tissue cells and parts thereof” [3]
eBook - PDFUsing the Biological Literature
A Practical Guide, Fourth Edition
- Diane Schmidt(Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
127 CHAPTER 7 Genetics, Biotechnology, and Developmental Biology Genetics is “the branch of biology concerned with the study of heredity and variation.” Biotechnology is “the development of techniques for the application of biological pro-cesses to the production of materials of use in medicine and industry.” Development is “the complex process of growth and maturation that occurs in living organisms” ( Oxford Dictionary of Biology , 4th ed., 2000). This chapter also includes the study of “omics,” a suffix used to indicate studies in several fields performed on a genome-wide scale, such as proteomics or metabolomics. The more applied aspects of biotechnology and genet-ics such as plant or animal breeding and industrial biotechnology are not included. All of the subjects covered in this chapter overlap with other chapters. For instance, molecular biologists study DNA, while geneticists study genes, so Chapter 6, “Molecular and Cellular Biology”, should also be checked for information sources. Research in development may be done by geneticists, cell biologists, or physiologists, so other related resources are found in Chapter 11, “Anatomy and Physiology”. ABSTRACTS AND INDEXES Biotechnology and Bioengineering Abstracts. 1982–. Bethesda, MD: Cambridge Scientific Abstracts. Monthly. Price varies. “This database provides bibliographic coverage of ground-breaking research, applications, regulatory developments and new patents across all areas of bio-technology and bioengineering, including medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental and marine biology.” Consists of the print indexes Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Abstracts, ASFA Marine Biotechnology Abstracts, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, Genetics Abstracts, Medical and Phar-maceutical Biotechnology Abstracts, and Microbiology Abstracts Section A: Industrial and Applied Microbiology. Genetics Abstracts. v. 1–, 1968–. Bethesda, MD: Cambridge Scientific Abstracts.
eBook - PDFRewriting Nature
The Future of Genome Editing and How to Bridge the Gap Between Law and Science
- Paul Enríquez(Author)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- Cambridge University Press(Publisher)
165 As genome editing technologies mature, we should expect further developments in tissue and organ xenotransplantation, 166 as well as in other important fields of clinical relevance. iv agriculture A Crops and Biofuels The United Nations projects the world population will rise from today’s 7.2 billion to 9.6 billion by the year 2050. 167 This gargantuan increase in the human population will pose significant challenges to the world’s ability to foster food security and meet What Can Genome Editing Be Used for? 155 nutritional needs using limited arable land and water available for irrigation. 168 As a result, sustainability and the contributions of rising agriculture-related pollution to climate change will become global problems. 169 Analyses for global crop demand forecast an increase between 100 percent and 110 percent from current levels by 2050. 170 Investment in biotechnologies aimed at increasing food yields and produ- cing pest-resistant genetically modified (GM) crops have been proposed as a solution to the global food crisis. 171 Fervid, and at times intemperate, controversy exists over the use of GM crops— colloquially known as GMOs—with supporters and critics constantly sparring about the perceived risks and benefits of GM crops to human health, the environment, and food security. 172 Although a minor potential for adverse events exists, to date, no overt or deleterious consequences have yet been documented in the scientific, peer-reviewed literature for the more than two decades that bio- engineered foods have been available to consumers, with the exception of some highly contentious research from a French biologist and political activist. 173 This is not to say that the lack of current scientific evidence—even decades after introduction of GM crops—is prima facie evidence of a complete absence of risk.
eBook - PDFPlant Biotechnology
Biotechnology
- Shain-dow Kung, Charles J. Arntzen(Authors)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Butterworth-Heinemann(Publisher)
PART IV Applications of Biotechnology in Plant Systems This page intentionally left blank CHAPTER 18 Genetic Engineering for Crop Improvement Robert T. Fraley Since their development in 1983, the availability of gene transfer systems has already led to several important insights into the regulation of gene expression and protein function in plants. With the increasing efforts to refine and develop vector systems and the progress that has been made in the identification and isolation of plant genes, the next several years will bring about a dramatic expansion in our understanding of gene structure and function at the molecular level. In many cases, our technical ability to isolate and transfer genes has surpassed the level of understanding of their biochemical and cell biological properties required for their rational manipulation. However, the wealth of interesting genetic, physiological, environmental, and agronomic problems available for study ensures that there will be a rapid transition from basic research to agricultural applications. In this chapter, the development of genetic transformation systems will be reviewed and discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on research areas where advances have permitted the application of transformation technology to agronomic crops. The prog-ress that has been made in the identification of agronomic traits that confer herbicide, viral disease, and insect tolerance will be reviewed with an emphasis on research programs developed by me and my colleagues. 395 396 Genetic Engineering for Crop Improvement 18,1 PLANT TRANSFORMATION The rapid progress that has been made in the development of gene transfer systems for higher plants has surprised even the most optimistic researchers in the field. Today, nearly two dozen species of crop plants can be routinely manipulated using available Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation sys-tems.
eBook - PDF- Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr, , Cecie Starr, Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- Cengage Learning EMEA(Publisher)
Answer: 12 on one chromosome, and 14 on the other FIGURE IT OUT: How many repeats does this individual have at the Penta D region? genetic engineering Process by which deliberate changes are introduced into a genome, with the intent of modifying phenotype. genetically modified organism (GMO) Organism whose genome has been modified by genetic engineering. transgenic Refers to a genetically modified organ- ism that carries a gene from a different species. Copyright 2021 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. BIOTECHNOLOGY CHAPTER 11 211 11.4 Genetic Engineering LEARNING OBJECTIVES ●●● ● Explain the difference between a GMO and a transgenic organism. ●●● ● Describe some genetically engineered organisms and their uses. GMOs Traditional crossbreeding methods can alter genomes, but only if individuals with the desired traits will interbreed. Genetic engineering takes gene swapping to an entirely different level. Genetic engineering is a process by which deliberate changes are introduced into a genome, with the intent of modifying phenotype. An individual whose genome has been engineered is a genetically modified organism (GMO). Some GMOs are transgenic, which means a gene from a different species has been inserted into their DNA. Modified Microorganisms Most GMOs are yeast (single-celled fungi) and bacteria (Figure 11.10). Both types of cells are easily engineered, and they have the metabolic machinery to make complex organic molecules—including medically important proteins.
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