Question of Modifications

 Did you know that dimples are there from a malformation of muscles? This is a result of a gene that is dominate. Technology is not only improving the lifestyle of humans but the future of medicine. Every time you scroll on a social media you see these inventions that are a new alternative to everything. From new ways to suture skin to concrete that absorbs water these automations are taking over fast. You might have a slight idea of what genetic engineering is but let me get a little into detail. Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. You might not know that many animals are made from being genetically mutated like the featherless chicken, glow fish, and glow in the dark rabbits.

Modifications can be generated by methods such as gene targeting, nuclear transplantation, transfection of synthetic chromosomes or viral insertion. Selective breeding is not considered a form of genetic engineering. With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA and improve the human race. But it will be a slow process, because one will have about 18 years to see the effect of changes to the genetic code. - Stephen Hawking. What this portrays is that it takes a long-concentrated process to come up with what could be the future of genetics. For example, a designer baby is a human embryo which has been genetically modified, usually following guidelines set by the parent or scientist, to produce desirable traits.

This is done using various methods, such as germline engineering or preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Let's talk disease. Everyone at some point gets a cold but that I transmitted by a virus that can be treated with a simple dose of dextromethorphan but what about genetic disease. All genetic diseases can be corrected with genetic engineering. The most deadly and difficult ones. Some genetic deceases don't have a cure for example: Autism, Alzeimer, or cystic fibrosis but with the miracle of genetic engineering we can save thousands of lives. Some are deadly since birth or in utero like DiGeorge syndrome or genetic disorders like heart defects that effect more than a million births worldwide wide. Genetic traits can be passed through families in several distinct patterns. Dominant genetic diseases are caused by a mutation in one copy of a gene. If a parent has a dominant genetic disease, then each of that person's children has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. Chinese scientists have reported using CRISPR to correct genetic defects in human embryos. CRISPR was introduced in 2012. It cuts DNA but does not repair it. If combined with other techniques, however, researchers say it could both cut out disease-causing genes and replace them with healthy versions to cure genetic human diseases. If the DNA is edited in the embryo or sperm, it can be a permanent solution and can be passed down to generations to come. If your mom carries the Alzheimer gene the most probable thing is that you now carry it too. You could peruse genetic engineering for your future babies.

The reason you need to plan before conceiving is because your embryo will carry your genes. If CRISPR can modify and cut the DNA it will either heal its self or the scientist can put healthy DNA in to replace it. What about gene therapy. Gene therapy is a clinically tested procedure to modify T - cells in order to cure things like cancer ect. It is still early days for this type of treatment. Some of these treatments are being looked at in clinical trials. Others can now be used for some people with types of cancer such as melanoma skin cancer. This treatment uses genes to treat illnesses. Researchers have been developing different types of gene therapy to treat cancer like leukemia. I believe that genetic engineering is our ultimate solution to the human health.

Cite this page