DNA technology entails the sequencing, evaluation and cut-and-paste of DNA. Previously, DNA technology has involved an imagination that living organisms could get desirable characteristics by controlling the expression of specific genes in their DNA. However, in recent times, technology has been integrated into the production of valuable products, such as crucial proteins that can serve as therapies for health conditions and even for dietary purposes. DNA technology has improved various essential aspects of life. Considering that the technology has a multi-disciplinary application, it has improved health and agriculture and even promoted resistance to the most adverse environmental conditions. DNA technology has been applied in health in genetic engineering, which involves the artificial modification, manipulation, and modification of genes to achieve the desired effect. The following paper analyzes the historical developments, techniques, applications, and controversies.
Genetic engineering can be traced back to the period when modification and manipulation of organisms involved the processes of reproduction and hereditary. Previously, genetic engineering was regarded as altering an organism’s makeup by changing the copy and hereditary circles. The procedure involved both biomedical techniques and artificial selection, including in vitro fertilization, gene manipulation, and cloning. Later in the 20th century, scientists coined the name ‘genetic engineering’ to refer to the methods and processes involving combining DNA molecules of two or more sources, either in vivo or in vitro and then inserted into the host organisms. The hos organisms provided an environment where the new recombinant DNA technology treated cells would propagate (Knott & Doudna, 2018). Generally, genetic engineering evolved from modifying reproduction and hereditary processes to manipulating DNA molecules either within or outside cells.
Moreover, genetic engineering has evolved from applying simple processes to introducing complex techniques. One of the processes involved in genetic engineering is the insertion of another host’s genes into the plasmids of laboratory bacteria. These plasmids are small rings beside the bacteria’s chromosomes which are the principal repository of the organism’s genetic makeup. Plasmids can initiate translation like normal DNA and can be transmitted to the organism’s progeny. This ability allows the newly inserted gene to be transmitted down to offspring. Another complex technique introduced recently is the CRISPR-Cas9 which involves identifying a defective gene in an organism’s DNA, such as the gene for HIV and cutting it, preventing its propagation to the subsequent offspring (Cunningham et al., 2018). Generally, plasmids and CRISPR-Cas9 are the two main techniques applied in genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering has diversified the understanding of the theoretical and practical functions of a person’s genetic makeup. Through genetic engineering, there have been bacteria that have been created capable of synthesizing human growth hormone, insulin and even alpha-interferon allowing individuals with achondroplasia, diabetes mellitus and suppressed immunity to find cures, respectively. Additionally, genetic engineering has allowed plants to fix nitrogen effectively, enabling plants like beans and peas to become the best sources of proteins. Lastly, genetic diseases such as HIV/AIDS can be corrected by replacing the defective genes using techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 (Ellis et al., 2021). Unequivocally, genetic engineering hosts various applications ranging from health to agriculture.
Inconclusively, genetic engineering entails identifying, modifying, and manipulating genes to achieve a given effect. As part of the recombinant DNA technology, it evolved from changing reproduction and hereditary processes to managing DNA molecules either in vitro or in vivo. The technology has incorporated techniques such as using plasmids to transfer the inserted genes and CRISPR-Cas9 to cut defective genes. The method has been applied in health, where it provided a cure for conditions such as diabetes mellitus and in agriculture, where it has helped plants fix nitrogen effectively.
References
Cunningham, F. J., Goh, N. S., Demirer, G. S., Matos, J. L., & Landry, M. P. 2018. Nanoparticle-mediated delivery towards advancing plant genetic engineering. Trends in Biotechnology, 36(9), 882-897.
Ellis, G. I., Sheppard, N. C., & Riley, J. L. 2021. Genetic engineering of T cells for immunotherapy. Nature Reviews Genetics, 22(7), 427-447.
Knott, G. J., & Doudna, J. A. 2018. CRISPR-Cas guides the future of genetic engineering. Science, 361(6405), 866-869.