Default Biological Revolution
We all are different from each others our physical appearances, health etc Even the siblings or twins are not exactly identical. Why? The reason behind is that actually we are a display of a specialized program written in codes, and as sweet Allah granted us unique programs the display i.e. we are also different.
This is the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) comprising of a special chemical code in from of nitrogen bases phosphorous and sugars. DNA is considered as the hereditary material that is responsible for all of our characteristics features n function. it is DNA that makes us resemble to our parents n differentiate us too! The more exciting thing is that it is saved in a very micro place i.e. the nucleus of our body building units –the cells. There are different genes for different properties like eye n hair color, protein coding etc.
In 21st century when man is reaching the moon n mars ,he is also exploring exciting aspects within his own body. In this journey of exploration “ genetic engineering “ is a great landmark. Lets see what is it?
It can scientifically be defined as :”the formation of combination of heritable material by insertion of DNA produced as desired outside the cell and introduced to host that is capable of its propagation) by means of a vector”
It means that the function n features f organism can be changed by making changes in genes, introducing new combination as desired.
A genetic engineer has a different kind of tools n techniques. He needs: a foreign DNA (prepared in lab or taken from any animal )with desired genes to be inserted 2.a vector (I.e. a microbe bacterial plasmid or virus)3.some specific enzymes for cutting n binding of DNA.
* MAIN MECHANISM:
First the piece of DNA is annealed or joined with the vector. This DNA fragment carries the genes of interest which ultimately will produce the required changes in organism. Then the artificial recombinant DNA is introduced to the host organism animal or plant or microbe). This is a very very brief out line of the concept of genetic engineering.
Now we see that this field has great application n influence now a days even on the life of a layman. From the food n medicine we take to the clothes we wear, we face genetic engineering aspect directly or indirectly. Lets take a look at some examples:
o MEDICAL SCIENCES:
Bacteria are the best producers of genetic products so they are used widely to derive certain hormones by recombinant technology. For example insulin (hormone needed by diabetic patients) was previously obtained from cows and pigs but now a bacterium named E.coli produce it when human gene for insulin production is manipulated in it by this technology, product thus derived is also non allergic as compared to that taken from cows. Similarly many other things like hepatitis B vaccine, erythropoietin (hormone needed for blood formation )cellulose etc are produced. Many diseases are under research to be cured by genetic engineering.
o INDUSTRY:
Enzymes are the biological catalysts, industrially significant enzymes e.g.. Enzyme used in plastic industry, chymosin( used in cheese production) are produced by g eng. Genetic engineers have designed new microbes specialized to make a widely used industrial solvent :ethyl alcohol.
Pharmaceutical industry has been revolutionized by recombinant technique. Antibiotics producing when manipulated give improved results.
o AGRICULTURE:
THE genetic engineering is applied to develop salt and drought tolerant crops. Now most of the seeds are altered having already developed resistance to the pests and less growth time, variable sized fruits etc. Defrost bacteria are also been designed who prevent frost in crops.
Apart from all the benefits, genetic engineering also involves some risks, as pathogens (i.e disease causing organisms) may also develop. That's why this branch of science n its application are also overned by some laws and rules. Unless a product don’t meets the standards ,it is not allowed to be marketed. (now corruption n cheating issues are also raising their heads in the industry related to the field).
It also raises some ethical questions: do we have right to alter the genes of a living organism? Is it an interference in the nature’s power? And many like these are yet to be answered.
THE CONCLUSION IS THAT IF IT IS PRACTICED POSITIVELY WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED LIMITS OF THE GREAT CREATOR ALLAH ALMIGHTY ,IT IS BENEFICIAL BLESSING OTHERWISE IT CAN DESTROY THE WORLD TOO IN THE FORM OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPON!”
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