Genetically modified Bacteria: Promise/Threat
It is believed that over 3.5 billion years ago, bacteria-like organisms became the first inhabitants of the earth. Fossils from Greenland dating back to 3.86 billion years ago reveal what appears to be bacterial cells (Madigan 349). Bacteria are not only the oldest inhabitants of the earth, but also the most abundant and ubiquitous. They are found living in such unforgiving environments as Antartica and in geothermal vents deep in the ocean (Madigan 1, Willey 1). Bacteria are also the most abundant organisms, and they constitute the majority of the biomass on earth.
Bacteria have affected mankind since Homo sapiens started roaming the earth. The bacteria Yersinia pestis is responsible for the black
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Future developments could include the production of artemisin for malaria, a modified lactobacillus bacteria that attacks HIV, ethanol for fuel, and others (Locke).
However, there are several valid objections to the use of genetic engineering in bacteria, as well as other organisms. The ability to manipulate and modify bacteria and other microorganisms also opens the door for misuse of the technology. The creation of Biological weapons such as a more virulent form of anthrax (Willis), or the creation of more potent toxins, as well as the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria for weapons use are very real possibilities. Terrorist organizations could also potentially use genetically modified bacteria in what can be described as "asymmetric warfare" (Block).
Another controversial aspect of genetically modified bacteria is their environmental impact as well as their potential negative impact to human health. New allergens could be inadvertently created by genetically modified organisms. Genes (such as pesticide of antibiotic resistance) could be passed between different organisms, potentially allowing certain plants to grow out of control which could negatively affect beneficial organisms
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Genetically modified bacteria have yielded many substantial benefits for mankind, but the concerns voiced by those opposing them should not be ignored. In order to guarantee that safety of the products obtained through genetic engineering, extensive research must be conducted, not only regarding the safety of the product per se, but to ensure that it will not bring on undesirable effects to human health, animal health or the environment.
One promising step to ensure the safety of genetically modified bacteria was reported in 2015 by scientists from Harvard and Yale (Harris). According to NPR, they modified bacteria developed requires a synthetic amino acid that does not occur in nature to grow. This way, even if genes are transferred between bacteria, removal of the synthetic amino acid from the medium kills the bacteria, and since the required amino acid is not present in nature, it is highly unlikely that the organisms will be able to propagate beyond
This lab used Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria (Kok , 19840). This is because Escherichia coli can be simply grown in Luria broth or on agar, and also has a comparatively small genome of five million base pairs.
n this lab, there were four objectives needed to be met. The first one was to perform a genetic transformation procedure, the second was to move genes from one organism to another using a plasmid as a vector, and the third was to manipulate tools of biotechnology. The bacteria E. coli was used to manipulate and transform. The E. coli would be tested for ampicillin resistance and a green fluorescent glow. One hypothesis made for this lab was that the bacteria that developed a resistance to ampicillin would reproduce even in the presence of the ampicillin.
This site lets them duplicate in bacteria and produce great amounts of DNA. They can also include multiple cloning sites. These are collections of DNA sequences that could be cut by restriction enzymes, permitting the DNA of interest to be introduced. Scientists have acquired benefit of plasmids. They exploit them as apparatuses to replicate, transfer and influence genes (Frouin et al., 2003).
If we make a mistake and create a bacteria that became a disease and it spread, how long would it take to find a cure. Many people could die before someone found a cure. We don’t fully understand DNA either. Genetically Modified Organisms, GMO, are also a highly debated subject. Our foods are being modified to taste “better” or to look more appealing.
An even newer invention is the GMO, genetically modified organism. It is where you can alter the genes of a plant, by adding certain types of DNA. This corn is not only put in our food, but it is to pigs, chicken, and cattle who are injected with hormones and antibiotics. We are then eating these animals, and with them the hormones and antibiotics they contain.
For years, the health and safety of genetically modified foods have been debated and researched by scientists, but the question still stands: should genetically modified foods be allowed for consumption? The process of genetic modification involves inserting a gene from bacteria or a virus into an organism where it would normally not be found. The purpose is to alter the genetic code in plants and animals to make them more productive or resistant to pests or farming techniques. Genetically modified organisms, more commonly known as GMOs, have been a controversial topic of debate for a number of reasons. The ethics behind genetically modified foods come into question due to an abundance of short and long-term effects from the process, many of which are still unknown today.
[1][2] Bacteria as pathogens Although they are the smallest cells in biocoenosis, their role is even more important. Some bacteria are even able to assimilate (e.g. cyanobacteria or "blue-green algae"). Some of the bacteria decays or rots other organisms to feed themselves. This also benefits
Genetically modified foods could produce new toxic substances, and/or allergens. A gene was inserted into the DNA of a soybean plant to increase the nutritional value of the soybean. However, this particular gene in the genetically modified soybean also produced an allergen. Fortunately, the plant was not put into production.
There is uncertainty as to what these altered genetics will bring for both present day, and future generations (“Genetically Modified Food”
From the moment we began to unlock the secrets of the genome, the complete set of DNA including all genes and understand the effects that genes can have on human health, the idea of modifying the human genome – hence controlling these effects – has held both potential and peril. Visions of a bright future free from the sufferings of genetic disease contrast starkly with darker fears of a genetically-engineered “New World”. As society becomes more and more aware of this technique, there have been more questions about the moral implications of genetic engineering. The first time I heard about genetic engineering was when I heard NPR reporting on the advances of the scientists since the inception of CRISPR, the most prominent way to edit genes.
Introduction: Genetically modified organisms can be defined as organisms in which the DNA has been changed in a way that does not occur naturally by any reproduction procedure. The enviropig is just one of many organisms that they did experiments on to modify it to have specific (needed) outcomes. The reason for genetic modification is to be able to change a product or organism so that it deliver desirable traits. The enviropig was created to solve the problem of pigs not being able to absorb enough phosphorous from their diet, which then in its turn contributes to the larger factor of pollution.
Microbes were the first organism to occupy the Earth. They are a group of the smallest organisms and are single cellular organisms. Microbes are becoming important in areas such as biochemistry, genetics, agriculture and medicine. They are also important decomposers. One example, of a microbial life is the prokaryotes called bacteria.
The emerging field of synthetic biology and genomic editing has sparked a biological revolution. The possible applications of these techniques for the advancement of health, technology, industry, and agriculture seem endless. However, these new advancements have also raised national security concerns. There has been an expressed concern, by the United States government, for the ease of use and accessibility of these technologies and for their use as a biological weapon (Coats, 2017). It is imperative that these concerns over synthetic biology as a bioterrorism tool does not overshadow the benefits of these technologies.
This essay will look more on the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has some advantages. Firstly it allows for faster growth rate .Genetic engineering allows of plants or animals to be modified so their maturity can occur at a quicker pace outside of the normal growth conditions that are favourable without genetic changes as well .Secondly, it may also provide a cure for disease to improve health (apecsecadmin, 2014). Genetic engineering can be used to eradicate a number of incurable and deadly disease which could be done by identifying the genes that cause these disease, and manipulate them to prevent people from contracting these potentially deadly diseases.
Genetic modification is the changing of the DNA structure of an organism to affect what that organism does or looks like. According to Stefan Riedel, a microbiologist “Biological Weapons may be more potent than conventional and chemical weapons” (Riedel). This quote shows Bioterrorism effectiveness by showing how it could be more effective than conventional warfare. If countries apply the technology they have to Bioterrorism. Bioweapons could be used more commonly than what countries use today for battle such as guns and tanks.