Biology Artice

Gene Technology
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Gene Technology
Gene Technology is a general term given to several scientific research efforts concerned with the understanding expression of genes, taking advantage of genetic variations, modification of genes and transfer of genes from one host to another. Genetic engineering made an immense contribution to the progress of gene technology. Genetic engineering entails altering an organism’s genetic code by adding a gene or genes from another living organism. Among the great developments achieved through genetic engineering includes genetic modification of Bacteria to produce essential human proteins including human insulin and human growth hormone. Bacteria regenerates making it advantageous to use over other microorganisms because they produce a large quantity of these essential proteins. For the creation of useful medicine like insulin, it is important that one understands the steps taken in genetic engineering to achieve such a milestone in humanity. Another aspect of gene technology is DNA fingerprinting. The DNA in each and every person is unique to them. DNA fingerprinting involves using one’s DNA to produce DNA fingerprints for identification. DNA bands are like bar codes, fingerprinting has been utilized for a long time for fighting of crimes.
All cells have the same genetic code, and this explains why genes from a single organism can be used in several other organisms increasing the chances of successful genetic engineering.

Enzymes are essential in cutting and joining of DNA. Restriction enzymes leave sticky ends by splitting open DNA strands at specific joints. On the other hand, ligase enzymes have the capability of re-joining DNA stands at the sticky ends left by restriction enzymes. The cytoplasm of bacteria has DNA loops known as plasmids. Plasmids can be utilized as vectors in genetic engineering because they are naturally capable of relocating from a bacterial cell to the next. It is through plasmids that scientists can identify if a gene has been successfully transferred into a bacterium. A DNA fingerprint is created first by extracting DNA from a sample specimen. Restriction enzymes are then used to divide the DNA into tiny fragments. The separation of enzymes is done through a process known as electrophoresis, and the electric field here does the function of pulling fragments of DNA across a thin cover of gel. After separation of enzymes, a radioactive probe is added; this is a chemical that binds to DNA fragments. A photographic film is utilized to detect the existence of radioactivity; it turns dark at the occurrence of radiation generating a ‘bar code’ like appearance (“BBC – GCSE Bitesize Science – Gene technology: Revision”, n.d.).
The information on genetic engineering provides a background of understanding aspects of genes and how they are manipulated through genetic engineering to improve human life. The article also provides a more elaborative explanation of the importance of biological concepts like the study of microorganisms, enzymes and DNA. Studying biology provides a background for understanding broad science topics like gene technology. With a biology background, it is easier to understand terminologies raise in the article like bacteria, enzymes, genes, and proteins. Gene Technology is a broad topic that has made a great impact on humanity. The main reason why the topic interests me personally is its relation with Medicare; like the article highlights one of the major achievements of gene technology is the creation of insulin used for treating diabetic patients. I have lost a close friend to cancer, therefore, the topic presents a great feeling of hope for eradication of deadly diseases affecting humanity. Further research into the topic reveals much progress in the fight to treat cancer.
While performing tests in mice with the aim of finding ways to thwart ovarian tumors, Scientists at the technology institute in Georgia came up with a nanohydrogel which when given as a treatment along with chemotherapy led to complete eradication or massive reduction of the tumor. “That nanohydrogel is a minute gel pellet that honed in on malignant cells with a payload of an RNA strand. The RNA entered the cell, where it knocked down a protein gone awry that is involved in many forms of cancer”. The trials were done on mice, the nanohydrogel stopped the growth of ovarian cancer and further broke down the resistance of cells to chemotherapy treatment, therefore, allowing a standard chemotherapy drug known as cisplatin to eliminate or reduce carcinomas radically. The curative short interfering RNA (siRNA) developed by the researchers, thwarted overproduction of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) that causes cancer. EGFRs protrude out of walls of specific types of cells, and their overproduction is linked to aggressive types of cancer (“New treatment with therapeutic short interfering RNA could help thwart cancer”, 2016).
The revelation of research breakthroughs in gene technology like the one at the Technology Institute in Georgia directly affects me having experienced loss of a loved to cancer. The knowledge acquired from the research enables me to have hope that a breakthrough to cancer treatment is forthcoming and that millions of people’s lives will be saved across the world. The research on gene technology should receive more funding from government agencies through taxpayers’ money; to speed up research initiatives around the topic and reduce research time lost due to insufficient funds. Also, charity foundations and private investors should also be part of this great course through investment funding or charity contributions. Research in gene technology is crucial to the survival of human beings since it aims to solve deadly diseases that threaten human life. Most of the studies in this area are directed towards medicine with scientists investing efforts towards the evolution and continuity of humanity.
References
BBC – GCSE Bitesize Science – Gene technology : Revision. Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2016, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/triple_ocr_gateway/beyond_the_microscope/gene_technology/revision/1/
New treatment with therapeutic short interfering RNA could help thwart cancer. (2016). News-Medical.net. Retrieved 8 November 2016, from http://www.news-medical.net/news/20161107/New-treatment-with-therapeutic-short-interfering-RNAc2a0could-help-thwart-cancer.aspx