Genetic engineering is the broad field of manipulating an organism's genetic material, while recombinant DNA technology is a specific technique within genetic engineering that involves combining DNA from different sources to create new genetic combinations.
Genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology are innovative fields that modify DNA, transforming organisms’ characteristics. These techniques empower scientists to develop enhanced crops, therapeutic proteins, and novel organisms.
Genetic engineering is the direct modification or manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology to create a new trait in living organisms or to produce a biological substance, such as hormone or protein.
Recombinant DNA technology is a laboratory technique that combines DNA from different sources to create new genetic combinations. It's a type of genetic engineering.
In this article, we will discuss the applications of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology. So, read it till the end!
What are the Applications of Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology?
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Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology |
What is Genetic Engineering?
Genetic engineering is a change or modification of the genetic material (DNA) of living organisms using biotechnology, either by changing the order of the components of the genetic material, deleting parts of them, multiplying them, or introducing parts of a genetic material belonging to another organism.
Genetic engineering helps to modify or improve the characteristics of the organism, such as the production of foods with higher nutritional value, or the production of protein to treat a particular disease. An organism, after modification of its genetic material, is called a genetically modified organism.
The first successful experiment on bacteria was carried out in 1973, followed by experiments on mice, plants, mammals, etc. The applications of genetic engineering encompass many fields, such as agriculture, research, industry, medicine, and other useful fields.
Recombinant DNA Technology
As human knowledge grows, our power to influence the mechanism of life goes far beyond the mere breeding of new crop varieties.
We can make horizontal gene transfer in our own way, by inserting strange genes into organisms that have never developed them properly. These organisms are usually genetically modified in a qualitative way, such as enhancing crop resistance to insects, herbicides, pesticides, or other desirable traits.
Recombinant DNA technology is the joining of DNA molecules of two different species together. It's a type of genetic engineering that's used to develop new vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and therapeutic products.
Recombinant DNA technology enables individual pieces of DNA from any genome to be inserted into a host organism (vector DNA molecules) such as plasmids to produce new genetic combinations, which are important for medicine, industry, agriculture and much scientific research.
Each amplified piece of DNA is called a DNA clone. Only recombinant DNA (ie, synthesized DNA from different organisms) should be used to effect this modification and find a way to incorporate it into the target group of genes.
The aim of recombinant DNA technology, of course, is to eliminate the infamous Zika virus carriers, which is undoubtedly a noble and worthy goal, but some have expressed concerns about the process in line with the principle of "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." However, once you're in the process of producing non-reproductive organisms, you really do a good job.
Read Here: The Process of Genetic Engineering
The Applications of Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology
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| Applications of genetic engineering |
Genetic engineering uses laboratory-based technologies to alter an organism's DNA, while recombinant DNA technology, a specific technique within genetic engineering, combines DNA from different sources to create new genetic combinations.
Genetic engineering is most commonly used in molecular biology, genetic disorders, gene therapy, vaccines, DNA fingerprinting, Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production and pharmaceutical products. Genetic engineering has also covered many other aspects of our lives, including:
Applications of Genetic Engineering in Medicine:
⇒The production of human insulin hormone from bacteria: Commercial production of insulin from bacteria began in 1982, and this is an important achievement that saved the lives of many people.
⇒The production of vaccines against certain types of diseases: viral hepatitis, herpes simplex keratitis, and foot and mouth disease in animals.
⇒The production of lymphocytes: proteins that regulate the immune system in the human body, including interferon-alpha protein, which is used to combat viral diseases, such as colds, hepatitis, herpes, as well as cancer, in addition to interleukin-2, a substance that boosts lymphocyte production, which is currently being tested on AIDS patients.
⇒The production of somatostatin: Somatostatin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus in the human brain that regulates the growth hormone.
However, genetic engineering has provided the world with sufficient quantities of this hormone, which is used to treat people with developmental abnormalities.
It is also has been used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), known as adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA deficiency).
⇒The production of erythropoietin (EPO): Erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow in people with severe anemia.
⇒The production of such substances that dissolve blood clots and prevent clogging arteries (arterial plaque) to prevent heart attacks.
⇒The production of antibodies that contain radioactive elements or cellular toxins to treat cancer.
Applications of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture:
➟Producing crops capable of stabilizing atmospheric nitrogen, thus requiring no fertilizers.
➟Producing agricultural crops capable of producing toxic proteins for insects and worms, such as tomato worms and tobacco worms.
➟Increasing the productivity of agricultural crops, increasing their resistance to diseases, heat, and moisture, and reducing their need for fertilizers.
➟Producing agricultural crops that are not affected by weed pesticides, such as glyphosate, enabling farmers to spray the entire field with glyphosate, without harming the crop.
➟Producing several types of microorganisms that analyze toxic chemicals and can be used to eliminate insect pests and disease-causing organisms.
➟Improving the quality and quantity of seed content of proteins.
➟Improving the ability of plants to photosynthesize.
Applications of Genetic Engineering in Industry:
➾Genetic Engineering produces genetically modified organisms that can convert sucrose into glucose.
➾Produces the inexpensive agricultural fertilizers from ammonia produced by bacteria, and genetically modified blue bacteria.
➾Produces microbes that have the ability to convert cellulose into sugar, which can later be used to produce ethanol.
➾Monitores the efficacy of the decomposition of garbage, petroleum products, naphthalene and other industrial wastes using genetically engineered bacteria that produce a light that is proportional to the amount of waste analyzed.
➾Produces bioenergy and biofuels. This biofuel can be converted into alcohol, diesel, oil, or other energy products.
Applications Genetic Engineering in Animal Husbandry:
Genetic engineering applications have been used in the field of animal genetic modification. The aim of this use is to produce genetically engineered animals that meet the human needs of different products and shapes.
➜The application of genetic engineering is based on the introduction of the desired genes into the genome of livestock. These genes work to resist viruses and infections, resulting in a greater quantity of nutrients, in addition to increasing their nutritional value, and the possibility of increasing the proportion of a certain component of the nutritional value of these substances to meet market demand such as increasing the percentage of omega-3 acids in fish, and reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease in people who eat these fishes.
➜Increasing the speed of growth, by providing it with the gene for rapid growth hormone.
➜Producing vaccines for diseases that affect them, especially poultry such as fever, Newcastle disease.
➜Working on converting their residues into organic fertilizers through genetically modified bacteria.
These applications allow farmers to produce the desired breeds of livestock with the least possible time and at the lowest cost, allowing for more food products aimed at improving human public health. These applications also, include the production of the highest milk producing cow breeds with the addition of any desired characteristics, such as lower cholesterol or other, as well as the production of different types of livestock with different qualities as needed.
Read Here: Genetic Engineering: Pros and Cons
Environmentally Friendly Approaches to Genetic Engineering
Environmentally friendly approaches emphasize sustainability, minimal ecological disruption, and precision targeting. Modern techniques use tools like CRISPR/Cas9, which enables highly accurate gene modifications, reducing off-target effects and minimizing potential harm to ecosystems.
Advances in synthetic biology have paved the way for bio-based production of chemicals, fuels, and materials, replacing environmentally damaging industrial processes.
Genetic engineering also supports the development of drought-resistant and pest-resistant crops, requiring less water and fewer chemical pesticides than traditional farming methods. Furthermore, engineered microorganisms are being used for bioremediation, effectively breaking down pollutants in contaminated soil and water. These methods work in harmony with nature while reducing carbon footprints and reliance on nonrenewable resources.
Genetic engineering can tackle deforestation and air pollution by producing bacteria that analyze waste products. There are a lot of bacteria produced using biotechnology that work to get rid of oil - crude and petroleum products in the sea by breaking up its molecules and devouring them. This process is called bioremediation.
Ongoing research, robust regulatory frameworks, and public engagement ensure that genetic innovations align with environmental stewardship, ultimately contributing to more sustainable agricultural and industrial practices.
The innovative, eco-conscious strategies are increasingly crucial for effectively safeguarding our planet’s sustainable future.