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** Transgenic Organisms **

This is Transgenic Organisms:

= What Are Transgenic Organisms? =

Transgenic Organisms are also known as genetically modified organisms (GMO), or genetically engineered organisms (GEO). These organism's genetic material is altered, using various techniques, by inserting a gene from one organism into a different organism. This in turn adds a new gene, or trait, to the original DNA strand of the modified organism. In simpler terms, certain molecules are taken from Organism 1 and inserted into Organism 2 to alter it physically/mentally and hence create a new and different Organism 2.

=History=

The act of adding to an organism's genome is known as genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the technology of preparing recombinant DNA in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from more than one organism. It was made possible by the discovery of DNA, and was invented by a group of scientists, not one individual. Yet without the creation of the first recombinant bacteria (E.coli expressing a Salmonella gene) in 1973, then genetic engineering would not be in existence today. Unfortunately, the production of a new bacteria concerned the scientific world and called for discussion at the Asilomar Conference. From this conference came government oversight and the first company to use recombinant DNA technology. The company, Genentech, was founded by Herbert Boyer in 1978.

=How Is It Performed?=

Transgenic Organisms are created through various techniques such as genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, genetic modification/manipulation (GM), and gene splicing. All of these techniques directly manipulate an organism's genes. Genetic engineering is the technology of preparing recombinant DNA in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from more than one organism. Recombinant DNA technology is the technique by which genetic material from one organism is inserted into a foreign cell in order to mass produce the protein encoded by the inserted genes. Genetic modification/manipulation is the manipulation of genetic material to produce specific results in an organism. And last but not least, gene splicing is the isolation of a gene from one organism and then the introduction of that gene into another organism using techniques of biotechnology. As you can see that transgenic organisms are created by taking certain genes from one organism and inserting them into another organism from a different species. Pretty simple, huh? = = =How is it Helpful?=


 * It produces human insulin which can supply the diebetes patients with insulin if they are not capable of producting insulin
 * It can be used in Gene Therapy to research the treatments for different dieases such as sickle-cell anemia
 * It can be used to create Neo-organs which can increase the supply of organs
 * It can be used in agriculture which can improve crops and increase the supply of crops being produced

=**What are Harmful/Controversial Effects?**=


 * It can have harmful effects on crops; any bacterial attacks can infect all surrounding crops through cross-pollination and produce an epidemic. The 'Bt' (Bacillus thuringiensis) gene in the crops kill pests along with helpful organisms such as butterflies, laybugs, bees, etc...
 * Genetically modified animals, such as cloning, can lead to certain defects that can cause the organisms to die at a young age. The genetically produced organs can also be placed into humans, which can be dangerous. An example would be a pig's heart can be used to replace a failing human's heart, however, if the pig's heart is infected, the human can be affected and killed.
 * To genetically engineer/modify an organism, the natural reproductive barriers of organisms are breached.
 * There is a considerable risk of the misuse of genetically altering information; the information can not be placed into the wrong hands or else mindless cloning of animals and plants for commercial purposes can possibly have adverse effects on the gene pool.
 * There can be a disruption of natural gene expression because it is unknown as to where the new gene needs to be inserted into the DNA strand, hence the risk of losing genetic information in DNA is large.
 * Most of the research dealing with genetic engineering is in the preliminary stages, hence it has not been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Along with this, all tests are done on animals, angering PETA (People for the Ethnical Treatment of Animals).

=Debate Topics=
 * 1) Knowing that innocent animals are experimented on, do you think it is fair that morally correct to do so? Or do you believe that experimenting on animals should be considered animal cruelty and punished by law?
 * 2) If animals must be experimented on, should the scientists insert genes that are unnatural, such as the glowing gene, or natural, such as the no hair gene? Why?

=Pole= If you agree with Genetic Engineering please comment below with a smiley face :) If not, comment below and tell us why you don't agree with Genetic Engineering :(

=Citations= "Genetically Modified Organism." //Wikipedia//. 23 Nov 2009. Wikimedia Foundation Inc, Web. 17 Nov 2009. [].