Genetic engineering alters the genes of organisms to produce beneficial effects for humans. It has improved crop yields and introduced traits like disease resistance. Scientists have genetically engineered microorganisms to help clean pollution from soil and water. While genetic engineering provides benefits, there are also risks like unintentionally creating allergenic foods or plants becoming invasive "superweeds". However, regulations aim to minimize these risks and the technology could help nutrition and public health when used carefully.

1. Genetic Engineering &The Benefits

2. WHAT?!Genetic engineering………...Genetic engineering is the processthat uses the techniques of molecular cloning and transformation to alterthe structureand Characteristicsof genesGenetic engineering is about scientists altering the 'recipes' for making life

3. 1960s-1970 Isolation of restriction enzymes and their use to analyse DNA structure1972-1973 DNA cloning techniques involving recombinant DNA developed. First gene cloned(bacteria)1974 First expression in a bacterium of a gene from a different species.1977 First complete genetic code of an organsism (base sequence of a complete genome). The organism was the phage ɸX 174 and its genetic code is 5375 bases long.1978 Bacteria produce human somatostatin from a synthetic gene. Later the same year bacteria also produce human insulin from a synthetic gene.1981-1982First transgenic animals (mice) produced.1982 Insulin (Eli Lilly’s Humulin) is the first product made by genetically engineered bacteria to be approved for use in Britain and the USA1983-1985First transgenic plants produced.1986 First controlled release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment.1989-1990 First patented transgenic animal, the oncomouse & the human genome project started1990-1992 First transgenic cereal plants (maize and wheat)1992-1993 Regulations for deliberate release of genetically engineered organisms established in the USA and EU. First complete base sequence of a chromosome (yeast chromosome III) & trial of the first human gene therapy in UK1994 Genetically engineered tomato marketed in the USA.1996 Genetically engineered tomato marketed in Britain.1997 First cloned mammal produced from a single cell. The sheep, Dolly, was developed from a single udder cell.A brief summary of the history and development of genetic engineering. (based on table G7,p. 418, The encyclopaedia of molecular biology, ed. Sir John Kendrew (1994) Blackwell Science.)

4. What is Genetic Engineering used for?Scientists uses it to knock out certain genes from an organism to observe the effects caused by those genes.Manipulate the genes of other organisms in order to produce beneficial products for humans.

5. Is genetic engineering beneficial to humans?

6. Improves the lifestyles of humans Better yield and quality of crops

7. Production of super-crops

8. Microorganisms as pollution cleaners

9. Bioremediation of the polluted environmentProduction of crops of better yield & qualityGenetic engineering has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing qualities such as disease resistance and increased drought tolerance to the cropsGenes from naturally drought-resistant plants are used to increase drought tolerance in crop varieties

10. Genetic Engineered papaya, SunUp! That is resistant to the Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)Homegrown papaya that is affected by the Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)

11. Production of crops of better yield & quality Farmers have been producing foods that have been genetically altered to be more nutritious, delicious, resistant to harmful pesticides and have the ability to repel pests.Plant life is changed to be more resilient to insect and disease as well as have the help of the microorganisms helping support it and bringing it protein.Wieczorek, A. (2003) Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, transgenic organisms can offer a range of benefits above and beyond those that emerged from innovations in traditional agricultural biotechnology.

12. Production of crops of better yield & qualityImproved nutritional valueFresher produceTransgenic tomatoes with delayed softening can be vine-ripened and still be shipped without bruising. Soybeans with higher protein contentAt UC Berkeley, AthanasiosTheologisand colleagues have identified and blocked a gene responsible for ripening.Rice with the ability produce vitamin A, that helps prevent blindness in people who have nutritionally inadequate diets

13. Dale, P.J., Clarke, B. EMG Fontes; Potential for the environmental impact of transgenic crops. Nature Biotechnology, 20. 2002, 567-574

14. Microorganisms as pollution cleanersMicroorganisms in the environment can be artificially changed to benefit their surroundings to help maintain the area.Microorganisms can be used for microbial bioremediation. Usage of microorganisms to break down harmful environmental contaminants, torestore the environment to a healthier state.

15. Microorganisms that are able to degrade the pollutant is added to the contaminated soil or water so that it could be treated.

17. Microorganisms as pollution cleanersGenetically engineered oil-consuming bacteria have been released into the wild to clean up disastrous oil spills at sea and on land

19. Microorganisms as pollution cleaners Bioremediation is useful for the complete destruction of a wide variety of contaminant

20. Less expensive than other technologies that are used for clean-up of hazardous wasteIncineration -- Crude oil spill cleanup -- Expensive -- Extremely harmful to the environment. Carried out on site, often without causing a major disruption of normal activitiesHmm…..

21. There are possible risks associated with using transgenic crops in agriculture. Inadequate effort has been made to understand the dangers in the use of transgenic crops

22. Genetic engineering technology has the risk of introducing allergens and toxins into safe foods.

23. Transgenic crops might cross-pollinate with related weeds, possibly resulting in “super weeds” that become more difficult to control.Creations to be ‘slaves’ It goes against religious values & ethics‘Playing God’

24. Inadequate effort has been madeto understand the dangers in the use of transgenic cropsTransgenic crops and their product in the United States are extensively researched and reviewedU.S. Department of Agriculture : Has primary responsibility for determining if a new product is safe to grow.U.S. Food and Drug Administration : Is concerned with protecting the consumer and has final authority to declare if a product is safe to eat.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency : Reviews the product for potential impact on the environment

25. Genetic engineering has the risk of introducing allergens & toxins into safe foods.Transgenic technology is also being used to remove the allergens from peanuts, one of most serious causes of food allergy.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) checks to ensure that the levels of naturally occurring allergens in foods made fromtransgenic organisms have not significantly increased above the natural range found in conventional foods.