This paper discusses gene transfer mechanisms and the different genetic engineering mechanisms. Gene transfer, a natural process, can cause variation in biological features. This method is naturally utilized to develop enhanced agricultural varieties, and it is also employed to produce particular kinds in molecular biology or recombinant DNA technology (Guo et al., 2019, p. 22). Humans commonly use this approach to change the genetic makeup of plants to produce plants with desirable features and higher yields, such as disease-resistant plants. Some creatures may occupy the DNA of other species, which can be helpful to their existence. Therefore, this gene transfer may be necessary for their autonomous development in nature.
Also, genetic engineering is a recombinant technology approach that changes an organism’s genetic composition to achieve the desired phenotype. The mass manufacture of various medications and hormones such as insulin, monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccinations is one of the most important uses (Nonaka et al., 2019, p. 12). This method may also be used to modify bacteria to synthesize enzymes. Enzymes can be used in laundry detergents, contactless solutions, and other applications. Another use is gene therapy, which allows for treating specific genetic illnesses by introducing recognized genes or deleting non-functional genes. Gene therapy is not a permanent cure but can help people live longer. As a result, diseases such as ADA deficiency, cystic fibrosis, and others can be addressed temporarily via gene therapy.
Furthermore, there are several disadvantages associated with genetic engineering processes. The first disadvantage of genetic engineering is that genetically modified crops generated by this approach can alter gene flow in the environment; as a result, posing significant dangers to the ecology and biodiversity (Sher Khan et al., 2019, p. 18). Another disadvantage is that this technique produces medicinal compounds that can induce severe allergies in people.
References
Guo, M., Ye, J., Gao, D., Xu, N., & Yang, J. (2019). Agrobacterium-mediated horizontal gene transfer: Mechanism, biotechnological application, potential risk and forestalling strategy. Biotechnology Advances, 37(1), 259–270.
Nonaka, S., Someya, T., Kadota, Y., Nakamura, K., & Ezura, H. (2019). Super-agrobacterium ver. 4: Improving the transformation frequencies and genetic engineering possibilities for crop plants. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10.
Sher Khan, R., Iqbal, A., Malak, R., Shehryar, K., Attia, S., Ahmed, T., Ali Khan, M., Arif, M., & Mii, M. (2019). Plant Defensins: Types, mechanism of action and prospects of genetic engineering for enhanced disease resistance in plants. 3 Biotech, 9(5).