Question

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

Modification of the genome.

Commonly, people insert ("knock in") genes which provide certain desirable qualities or remove ("knock out") genes which code for proteins we don't want.

Answer 2

Do you know of any benefits of genetic engineering?

Answer 3

Many benefits of genetic engineering:

A lot of work has been done in plants, developing drought resistant and mold resistant crops. A lot more work has been done in mice, which are used as a model organism for mammalian and human diseases: by inserting and removing genes of interest, scientists can analyze their effects.

I think the, ah, coolest work involved insertion of green fluorescent protein into species for glow in the dark mice, cats, mushrooms, etc. :D

Answer 4

Now don't you think this might result in varous mutations if the plants and animals were to be exposed in the environment ( cloned animals and plants)

Answer 5

Yes, it absolutely does.

Modification of the DNA - sticking in genes from other species or entirely new DNA sequences generated in the lab - affects the stability of the surrounding DNA and also cis-regulatory elements. People doing genetic engineering have to be very careful not only about what genes they stick in or delete but where in the genome the new genetic material goes.

Because it is so difficult, many people don't stick in entire genes. Instead, they change the regulatory elements like the promotor or the enhancer to amplify or dampen the expression of the desired (or not desired) gene product.

Answer 6

Also, treatment of chemicals which prepare the DNA to be modified are usually mutagenic in their own right and definitely can have unexpected consequences and mutations at other sites.

Answer 7

Thats cool!! by the way do you Know any thing on cloning vectors? i tend to mix them up.

Answer 8

Not at a professional level. I'm a computational biologist, which means I work with math, not wet lab stuff.

Answer 9

Ok. so what does your program involve mostly and what is your main Job your program seems intresting.

Answer 10

Are you still around?

Answer 11

I do math. A lot of what I do is process signals which involve a type of math called Fourier analysis. I sometimes do some more 'science' work too, usually as it pertains to NMR and protein structure determination. And I do some work with a type of mathematics called combinatorics.

Answer 12

I believe you enjoy your field and also your work. How i wish Such a program will be introduced in African Univerities.

Answer 13

What programs are available in Africa?

Answer 14

it is the science that use genetic to develop fruits and also to build human hand ,...