Did you know that thousands of years ago, the produce you see in grocery stores, such as bananas and corn, would have looked and tasted completely different? Humans have been altering the genetics of other organisms for over 30,000 years in a process known as “selective breeding”. In recent years, we’ve established a more fine-tuned version of this known as genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering is a revolutionary biotechnology that already has and will continue to yield breakthroughs in the realm of genetics. In this quick read we will probe some of the chemical processes, applications, and controversies surrounding genetic engineering.
I. How it is possible
“Genetic engineering (also called genetic modification) is a process that uses lab-based technologies to alter the DNA makeup of an organism,” as defined by Mike Smith from the NIH. The key to genetic modification lies in the DNA. Much like computer code, DNA instructs the growth and development of all living things. Our DNA contains four nucleotides: adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine; together, they make up base pairs throughout the double helix molecule that ultimately define an organism’s genetic identity. There are different processes of changing DNA such as changing a base pair (A-T or C-G), deleting a whole region of DNA, or introducing an additional copy of a gene. If you change the unique combination, then you change the organism.
II. Applications
In medicine, genetic engineering is used to manufacture medications for various diseases. One example of this is producing Humulin, the genetically modified version of insulin, which is used to treat type I diabetes. Another example is selecting the gender and eye color of your child, which is achieved through technology known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD. The process works by fertilizing a few (usually a dozen) eggs via the in vitro method (outside the womb). Once fertilized, doctors analyze the various genetic sequences of these wombs and tell the parents of the resulting traits, including proneness to diseases and physical appearance. The parents select whichever set of traits they prefer from the batch of embryos; then lastly, doctors insert it into the mother’s womb. Genetic engineering is also used in modifying foods and animals for better taste, nutrition, and physical appearance.
III. Controversies
Skepticism regarding welfare usually stems from how little we currently know. Due to our natural immune response to foreign substances, people exposed to GMOs have developed severe allergies in the past. We are still not able to determine what long-term side effects will accompany genetic modification. In addition, there are several cases of animals having undergone genetic modification that did not survive long due to the changes being too radical and unfathomable for their bodies. There are also growing concerns regarding the ethics of these practices; some argue it is inherently wrong to interfere with our natural diversity. Stephen Hawking feared gene-edited humans would have an unfair advantage over the rest of us.
There is a way to tailor life to our benefit… treating diseases, growing better food, and being born with desirable traits are possible because of genetic engineering. It is plausible to imagine naturally pink hair, talking dogs, unicorns and even the ability to fly may all be part of reality someday.
