Describe at least one advantage and one disadvantage of the production of novel proteins.

Question

anonymous · Answer

you will have to be more specific than that, dude. I can't help you if you just post your question like I'm an answering machine. 

so: more details, please.

anonymous · Answer

New genes created by genetic engineering produce brand new proteins called “novel” proteins. All proteins have the potential to trigger allergic reactions under certain conditions. Novel proteins are not recognized by the human immune system. In most cases, these proteins are tested in petri dishes rather than the plant itself.


Describe at least one advantage and one disadvantage of the production of novel proteins.

anonymous · Answer

I still have questions.

they are talking about novel proteins not being recognized by the human immune system. that is quite wrong: the human immune system recognizes novel proteins as well as any "non-novel" protein. thus, the "novel" proteins have to get optimized  even further to be as close to human protein as possible.

second: what, they test it in petri dishes, and then ON PLANTS? I don't understand.

but maybe you do :-) so what do you think are adventages/disadvantages in genetic engineering?

anonymous · Answer

Thats what i was thinking thats why im so puzzled by this question my self  but i figure it out .

anonymous · Answer

well, my approach would be something like this:

there are enormous advantages to genetic engineering. you can model the activity or structure of an interesting protein to match its use in your research. you can introduce antibodies that enhance your immune system by fighting cancer, for example, and you are waaay quicker than evolution (which is genetic engineering on trial-and-error base and takes forever, sometimes doesn't even take the shortest way).

the greatest disadvantage of state-of-the-art genetic engineering is simply that life is still too complex for us to understand. basicaly, you don't know what you are really doing to an organism because you can't calculate ALL consequences of your genetic changes.