DNA technology

During the mid 1970s, as the development of new ways of studying DNA led to radically new research approaches, a revolution in the field of biology began. These techniques have had a major impact, and not just in genetic studies. DNA technologies affect a wide range of areas from cell biology and evolution to ethical and societal issues.

In the recombinant DNA technology, researchers splice together DNA from different organisms in the laboratory. The primary goal of this technology is to enable scientist to obtain many copies of any specific DNA segment. The purpose is to study it biochemically. Using recombinant DNA technology, scientist introduces foreign DNA into the cell of microorganisms. Under the right conditions, when a cell divides, this DNA is replicated and transmitted to the daughter cell. In this way, a particular DNA sequence is amplified, or cloned. It is cloned to provide millions of identical copies that are isolated in pure form. Today these methods have been supplemented by extremely valuable technique for the cloning of DNA in vitro.  

Safety and ethical questions raised by DNA technology

Early concern about potential dangers associates with recombinant DNA technology focused on the possibility that hazardous new pathogens might be created. Today, most public concern about possible hazards centers not on recombinant microbes but on genetically modified organisms used as food. In common language, a GM organism is one that has acquired by artificial means one or more genes from the same or another species. Salmon for example, have been genetically modified by addition of a more active growth hormone gene. However the majority of the GM organism that contribute to our food supply are not animals, but crop plants.

Some countries have been cautious of the GM revolution. The safety of GM food and possible environmental consequences of growing GM plants being the major concerns. In 1999, for instance, the European Union suspended the introduction of new GM food pending new legislation. Early in 2000, 130 countries agreed on a “Biosafety Protocol” that requires exporters to identify GM organisms present in bulk food shipments. The protocol also required the exporters to allows importing countries to decide whether the products pose environmental or health risks.

Today Governments and regulatory agencies throughout the world are grappling with how to facilitate the use of biotechnology in agriculture, industry and medicine while ensuring that new products and procedures are safe.

In this paper, we are interested to point out the pro and contra regarding to the Genetic Modified Organism especially in the agriculture, industry and medicine products.  

this article is submitted to Dr Norrizah for Plant Physiology assignment.

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