5.4 Genetic Engineering Technology

Genetic Engineering

• Genetic engineering: the genetic modification of an organism.
• Introduced around 1971–1973 and known as genetic engineering science.
• Commonly associated with:
  • recombinant DNA;
  • genetically modified organisms (GMOs);
  • gene therapy.

Recombinant DNA Technology

• Combines DNA from two different species to produce a new genetic characteristic and hybrid DNA.
• Examples: plant DNA with bacterial DNA; human DNA with fungal DNA.
• Textbook application: production of human insulin by bacteria for people with diabetes mellitus.

Production of human insulin:

1. Cut the human DNA containing the insulin gene with a cutting enzyme.
2. Cut bacterial plasmid DNA with a cutting enzyme.
3. Combine the insulin gene with plasmid DNA and insert the recombinant DNA into a bacterial cell.
4. Allow recombinant bacteria to multiply in a fermentation tank.
5. Extract and purify the human insulin produced.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

• A GMO is an organism—plant, animal, bacterium or virus—genetically modified for a specific purpose.
• Genes from different species are combined; animal genes may be combined with plant or bacterial genes.
• Produces new characteristics that may not be obtained through traditional cross-breeding.
• Modifications improve commercial quality, for example:
  • resistance to pests and diseases;
  • larger fruits;
  • higher nutritional value.
• Applied to paddy, maize and oil palm.
• Pest-resistant crops reduce pesticide use and therefore reduce environmental pollution.

Effects of Genetic Engineering Technology

Advantages	Disadvantages
Identifies hereditary diseases and enables their treatment	Genetically modified products may cause allergies and side effects in susceptible consumers
Produces quality crops and livestock	New species may cause original species to become extinct
Produces crops and livestock with higher disease resistance than previous generations	May cause side effects such as mutation in consumers
Produces more crops in a shorter harvesting time	May be used unethically to make biological weapons that endanger humans
Bacteria produce insulin and enzymes that support human health	May produce organisms with high resistance to pesticides

• The technology can help solve food shortages and crop damage.
• Its benefits and risks must be weighed in medicine—such as insulin and enzyme production—and agriculture—such as tomatoes, soybeans and livestock.

Ethics in Genetic Engineering Technology

• Conduct genetic research with high integrity so it does not violate moral and religious principles.
• Practise ethics and good values in experiments; respect religious and moral sensitivities.
• Evaluate ethical issues involving cloning and biohazards.
• Enforce laws and regulations to prevent misuse and educate researchers to understand and follow developments in genetic engineering.
• Ethical controls must preserve legitimate benefits:
  • producing insulin for patients with diabetes mellitus;
  • addressing food shortages and crop damage.