Did You Know: Genetic Engineering?

 by Nathaniel G

Boris Karloff as the Monster
in Frankenstein (1931)

Genetic engineering is a process that uses laboratory techniques and technology to alter the DNA make up of an organism.

The technology used by genetic engineers has led to the production of many important medical vaccines and treatments.  

It has also led to crops that are resistant to disease - particularly important as the Earth’s climate continues to change and unmodified crops fail due to flooding or extremely high temperatures.  

Crops or animals can and have been altered or genetically modified. Some people see this as controversial, others see it as ethical.

For example, in America recently, scientists took genes from sea anemones and jelly fish and injected them into pet fish to make them fluorescent . They sold them as ‘designer pets.’

It is possible that one day, scientists will genetically modify humans so that they have certain traits.

This genetic engineering could be really helpful if it helps medical research and improves people’s health.  However, some argue that it would be terrible if it was used to wipe out certain conditions or characteristics. Perhaps the most heinous example of this is the Nazi eugenics policy which led to the Holocaust.

The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is an excellent read. The main character - Victor Frankenstein - brings parts of people’s bodies together to make his own creation. It is a moving and tragic story.

Scientists have developed vaccines which can be engineered into growing bananas.  As these bananas grow, virus proteins are produced. Scientists are able to separate out the healthy part of the protein which means that you could eat a banana and avoid having an injection for some medical conditions.

It is unlikely that genetic engineering will ever establish a real Jurassic Park.  DNA breaks down over time, and dinosaur DNA has not been discovered in modern times….yet.