What is GM?
Genetic modifications are the manipulation of a gene of an organism to intentionally make it better in some form. This process is done apart from natural processes and is the result of a genetically modified organism (GMO). (Citation 3)
Before receiving a full understanding of GM and how it is being used today in our world, we must first understand the basics.
Beginning with DNA
A gene, made of DNA, is copied to a 'template' of RNA where protein is then made. This is the simple explanation of genetics. The DNA provides 'instructions', the RNA is the 'translator', and proteins are the 'workers' that carry out the gene instructions throughout the whole body. (Citation 4)
Engineering the Genome
Scientists have been able to understand the ways of how genes work in the body and so they have learned how to alter them throughout time through the genetic modification process. Basically, scientists use this process to alter the genes or their actions.
For animals, the DNA is located in the cell nuclei as a long strand of information in a helical coil, but in bacteria and viruses, it's a small circle of DNA. Scientists can take the circle can be manipulated to perform in the gene of an animal cell. The gene has a part cut out to send the information from the bacteria to fill it in, known as the "vector".
Sometimes the vector is still in the cytoplasm, the liquid medium in a cell, and serves as a virus. Instead of creating bad affects, the vector produces something that the body needs such as proteins that the genes may not produce or have. This kind of genetic therapy is used in hemophilia and cystic fibrosis. Gene therapy is taking the circle of DNA and inserting it into the correct gene to make up any lack of production it may have.
To take gene therapy to another level, the newly corrected gene is inserted into the actual DNA of the patient's cells. This is possible since the vectors take advantage of the cell repair mechanisms to slip the desired gene into the cell. (Citation 4)
Now that you have the beginner's understanding of GENETIC MODIFICATIONS, click on the links above to learn more!
