Human cloning is most notably one of the most controversial issues in medical science.
Alex Tsan CLONING REPORT INTRODUCTION Human cloning is most notably one of the most controversial issues in medical science. The word "cloning" originates from the Greek language meaning "asexual reproduction." A specific definition of cloning comes from the American Medical Association and defines cloning as "the production of genetically identical organisms via somatic cell nuclear transfer." (Farnsworth, 2000, http://thefarnsworths.com/science/cloning.htm). There are two types of cloning which are therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. Therapeutic cloning enables the creation of embryonic stem cells. The stem cells are genetically identical to the cells of the original donor and can be used to create artificial cells in order to fight diseases (such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease) and the possibility of creating genetically identical organs for human transplants (such as liver and kidney organs). The main goal of therapeutic cloning is to create a healthy replica of a sick person's tissue/organ for transplant. This technique would be incredible as the supply would be unlimited, therefore there would be no waiting lists. The tissue would have the sick person's original DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid - the substance that stores genetic information), which means that there would not be any danger of organ rejection. (Gary, 2003,
Genetically engineered food, also known as Genetically Modified or GM food, is food that has been altered at the genetic level to produce a better tasting, longer lasting, or more resistant product.
Genetic Engineering Food Fan Ka Yi, Katie 6S(10) Genetically engineered food, also known as Genetically Modified or GM food, is food that has been altered at the genetic level to produce a better tasting, longer lasting, or more resistant product. Vegetables and other crops are the most common type of genetically engineered food. Corn, for example, has been altered to be naturally insect-resistant, while tomatoes have been modified to slow down the rotting process. A proposed benefit of GM foods is that they can potentially produce higher crop yields, which could help reduceing world hunger. As new species are altered to grow faster or more effectively, they can be used to feed poor nations or chosen for countries where crops may not normally prosper because of less than desirable environmental conditions. Some companies now claim to be producing crops that can help against certain diseases or provide specific nutrients, such as milk proteins and iron, which would otherwise not be available to some populations. They are also cited as more economical, despite the initial higher cost of the seeds. The rationale is that they reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides as well as reducing the manpower needed to successfully grow the crops, which should translate into improved financial gains.Improved food quality is another benefit
Is genetic modification morally wrong?
General studies AS Aspects of culture Samantha Leach Is genetic modification morally wrong? Since the discovery of DNA in the late 1950's, it's become a reality for animals and plants to be modified and enhance to the talents we think are best for it, Such as race horses or genetically modified babies. But is the reality of changing a creation going too far? The advantages of having these modifications in this world today are medical perspectives. This is a very large argument in the present day. For example if genetically modified babies were common it may be beneficial in many positive ways in the society. The affect on the child is that the child could have an increased life expectancy and also the lives of many children may be lengthening even more. Genetic diseases such as Downs Syndrome would decrease; the economic saving for the NHS would be and noticeably beneficial. The quality of life for those who would have otherwise suffered the affects of the disease for which there is no prevention, may have a greater chance of having a better life in which they live. Many of the largely damaging diseases, the western society's most common deaths, would be less common, or eliminate for good. Think of the advantages of disease free populations across the world. The health budget would increase and the money saved would be used for other scientific
Genetically Modified Food - Help Or Hindrance
Genetically Modified Food - Help Or Hindrance In 1973, scientists discovered something that has the potential to change the world we live in forever they discovered Genetic Modification. Genetic modification is exactly what it sounds like it is the modification of genes inside a living organism. This of course could be used on humans or animals but as soon as this discovery was made safety precautions were put into place to stop people using this new technology in the wrong way. The secret to genetic modification of genes lies in the plasmid. A plasmid is a ring of DNA inside bacteria and can be used to change the genetic message inside the bacteria. For example if you were to want to create insulin you would extract the insulin producing gene from the pancreas cell of a human and cut open the plasmid and insert it the gene. This new DNA created is called recombinant DNA. The bacteria would then go on to produce human insulin. Since this is the basis of how this technology works it can also be transferred to foods. Scientists are now looking how they can genetically modify food in the world to make it better and hardier than the food nature produces. Some foods have already been genetically modified and are being grown widely throughout the United States. Crops such as Soya, Cotton, Maize and Potatoes are already modified and sold throughout the country.
How DNA was proven to be replicated semi-conservatively
How DNA was proven to be replicated semi-conservatively The basic idea of semi - conservative replication was that a DNA molecule could split apart and that new nucleotides would line up along each strand opposite their appropriate partners, and join up to form new strands along each half of the original molecule. Each pair of stands could then wind up into a double helix, exactly like the original one. This idea proved to be correct and is called semi-conservative replication because half of the original molecule is conserved in each of the new ones. It was Matthew Meselsohn and Franklin Stahl who proved this in 1958. In the early 1950's nobody knew how DNA was replicated but three possibilities were mentioned: Conservative Replication - One completely new double helix was made from the old one. Semi-Conservative Replication - Each new molecule would contain one new strand and one old one. Dispersive Replication - Each new molecule would be made from old and new bits in random places through the molecule. Semi - Conservative replication seemed to be the most likely and Meselsohn and Stahl carried out experiments to prove it. This is what they did: The experiment started with bacteria grown in 15N, a heavy isotope of nitrogen. As the bacterial culture grew and divided, the 15N was placed into each of the nitrogen bases of DNA,
Should cloning be allowed?
Should cloning be allowed? Stephanie wasn't available today, so she sent me instead. I'm her clone. Or am I? Does it really matter? Who can tell? I'm here today for this very reason. To tell you that it does matter, and that with today's technology, anything is possible. With that technology, man can now turn Frankenstein into Madonna in just a few months! The foolish idea of cloning has moved from an idealistic dream to a daunting realisation on July 5th, 1996, when Dolly, a cloned sheep was born. To make you understand the dangers and obscurity of cloning, I will try and make this complicated biological term into simple English. Cloning is the genetic replication of a life form. To clone something involves removing chromosomes of an unfertilized egg, and placing it into a nucleus of a cell. As it is transferred, the nucleus will then determine 90% of the offspring's characteristics. The cell will then develop into a zygote, an embryo, and finally, a human clone is born. Sure, not everything genetically modified is bad. What about GM foods? Don't they help us? And your answer would be yes. It would most certainly be a lie to say that genetically modified foods do not have their uses, but it would also be a lie to say that GM foods are beneficial. It is true that GM foods survive longer in the cold winter, and are prone to certain viruses, but would you like to be eating
What are GM foods? - Assessing the risks and benefits
WHAT IS GM FOODS? GM is an abbreviation for 'genetic modification'. GM is the transference of genes from one species into an unrelated species; it allows genes to be crossed between organisms that could never breed naturally, making new types of plants that are used in foods. Scientists now understand that DNA, a molecule containing genes that instruct a plant how to grow, can be read like magnetic tape. With this discovery, scientists have been able to add in new instructions into the plant, with the final product being a genetically modified food. A gene from a fish, for example, has been put into a tomato so it remains fresh for longer, with the tomato becoming a GM food. TECHNIQUES OF GENETIC MODIFICATION One of the most successful ways to move genes into host organisms is to use 'agrobacterium', a soil-dwelling bacterium, as a go-between to introduce genetic information into more than 100 plant species, mainly into wide-leafed plants such as tomatoes, apples and pears. A wide variety of plant and tree varieties have been altered by this method, and the technique was used to modify the first genetic plants ever produced, such as tobacco, petunia and cotton. When the bacterial DNA is integrated into a plant chromosome, it effectively hijacks the plant's cellular machinery to ensure that the bacterial population proliferates. Another technique used in genetic
Effects of Genetic Engineering
The Impact of Genetic Engineering on Society Word Count: 748 Abstract The following article will discuss and go into depth about the facts about genetic modification on food, animals and even humans. Genetic engineering has both positive and negative sides to it. This article will explore both sides of genetic modification and its effects on society. Introduction Genetic engineering is the use of modern biotechnology techniques to alter the genes of an organism, such as a plant or animal. There are many positive and negative sides to genetic engineering. To some people, genetic engineering is the chance for an improved and healthier life, but there are others who fear that it is "playing God" and there is no evidence that genetically enhanced organisms will have a positive effect on our society over time. Each of these views is correct in certain ways. Genetic engineering could be used to enhance people's lives, but it could also be used to harm people's lives. Discussion Genetic modification is a significant issue that involves the whole community because of the mass amount of genetically enhanced foods being produced and consumed on a daily basis. Many buyers are unaware of the fact that if the food they are consuming does not say "organic" it means that there are at least 70% genetically modified foods inside of that product. Although many people are in favour of
Cloning means making a living thing from another living thing such as a plant or animal. The process uses the genes of the first so they both have identical DNA.
TRANSLATION PRACTICE -1st year CLONING Cloning means making a living thing from another living thing such as a plant or animal. The process uses the genes of the first so they both have identical DNA. Cloning isn't new. Nature has been doing it for billions of years with plants. Things like potatoes and grass send out shoots which can grow into a whole new plant. If you grow a plant from a cutting it's a type of cloning. And identical twins are naturally-occurring clones of each other even though they're genetically different from their parents. In the last few decades scientists have been trying to clone animals. They transplant DNA (the gene pattern which makes living things unique) from the cell of one animal into the cell of another which has had its DNA taken out. Now scientists in America have announced that they have created a clone of a human embryo. In 1997 Dolly the sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Scientists in Scotland used a new type of technique. When Dolly was born months later, it had taken 276 tries to get it right. Since Dolly, cows, pigs, monkeys, rodents, cats, mules, horses and dogs have been cloned. Animals or plants with special qualities could be mass produced to help in the manufacture of important drugs. You could replace pets which have died or even repopulate endangered or extinct species. In 2001 the first
Genetics is defined as the study of genes through their variation or the study of inheritance.
GENETICS Genetics is defined as the study of genes through their variation or the study of inheritance. It is the branch of biology that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms. For thousands of years farmers and herders have been selectively breeding their plants and animals in order to produce more productive hybrids. It was somewhat of a hit or miss process since the actual mechanisms governing inheritance were unknown. Knowledge of these genetic mechanisms finally came as a result of careful laboratory breeding experiments carried out over the last century and a half. By the 1890's, the invention of better microscopes allowed biologists to discover the basic facts of cell division and sexual reproduction. The focus of genetics research then shifted to understanding what really happens in the transmission of hereditary traits from parents to children. A number of hypotheses were suggested to explain heredity, but Gregor Mendel, a little known Central European monk, was the only one who got it more or less right. His ideas had been published in 1866 but largely went unrecognized until 1900, which was long after his death. His early adult life was spent in relative obscurity doing basic genetics research and teaching high school mathematics, physics, and
