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Genetic Engineering by Isha Joshi

Genetic engineering is the process of altering the make up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of a specific organism. This type of altercation is done in order to change the genes an organism may possess. The process of genetic engineering is purely laboratory-based, meaning that an organism cannot perform genetic modification naturally.

There are major types of genetic engineering which include analytical genetic engineering, applied genetic engineering, and chemical genetic engineering (Types of Genetic Engineering). Analytical genetic engineering is a virtual-based modification that creates a model with the use of computer software. This gives engineers an idea of whether a gene modification will be successful or not before taking the resources to figure such out. Applied genetic engineering is the functionable utilization of resources that change genes of organisms. Different forms of applied engineering in terms of genes include cloning of organisms and introduction to new genes that previously were not present. Finally, chemical genetic engineering is most commonly known as the preparation for applied level engineering because it takes steps such as classifying, separating and graphing genes before practical applications are used.

To become a genetic engineer one must at least graduate university with a bachelor's degree specializing in “biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or molecular genetics” (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics;Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers). Getting a bachelor's degree in the previously mentioned field is the minimum level of education when working with genetic engineering, some jobs enforce mandatory graduate degrees in engineering related fields. Recommended Some career paths that arise in the pursuit of genetic engineering include working with pharmaceutical/healthcare companies and research organizations if a hands-on job is of preference. However, government jobs, consulting, and teaching are both significant ways to stay involved with genetic engineering without hands-on work (Genetic Engineering Careers).

Gene modifications have been used for centuries if not millennia through the process of selective breeding, the concept of altering an organism's genes is not new but what took the bioengineering field are the innovations created throughout the years. One of the first major innovations in the established genetic engineering field was in 1987, electroporation (Mass Transfer Phenomena in Electroporation), micro-injection(Microinjection), and bombarding certain particles using a gene gun (Application of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Intracellular Delivery of Molecules and Proteins). All three of these methods, and many more, had the purpose of instilling isolated plant cell chloroplast within a cell after the cell wall had been removed. A more recent innovation occurred in 2015 with the rise of the inventions known as TALENs and CRISPR, which were utilized to alter genomes in plants. Chinese scientists discovered that a fungus resistant wheat was able to be made through this process (Gene-edited wheat resists dreaded fungus without pesticides), while scientists in the United Kingdom found out that genes found in barely could be changed in order to make them drought resistant (Heat, salt, drought: This barley can withstand the challenges of climate change).

Though genetic engineering is a great leap into the future of biological technology, there are always non-predictable elements that could pose a threat to the organisms used in these processes. In cases such as gene mutation, there presents a change in genes, sometimes this change can create diseases. If diseases aren’t created then they can be amplified by genetic mutation due to antibiotic resistance, sourced by pathogen sensitivity or higher pathogenicity (Impact of genetic modifications on infectious diseases). This is one possibility, however genetic engineering can impose the opposite impact; for example, using genetic engineering a false gene could be replaced with a usable one that can help one's body combat diseases.

The past decades have provided the genetic engineering community with hope and information for the future that will aid the progression of genome engineering.


Works Cited


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“Microinjection.” Microinjection - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Accessed January 26, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/microinjection.


Mlblevins. “Types of Genetic Engineering.” Biology Wise, July 1, 2011. https://biologywise.com/types-of-genetic-engineering


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