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What is Genetic Engineering?

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Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic code by artificial means, and is therefore different from traditional selective breeding. 

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Genetic engineering examples include taking the gene that programs poison in the tail of a scorpion, and combining it with a cabbage.  These genetically modified cabbages kill caterpillers because they have learned to grow scorpion poison (insecticide) in their sap.

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Genetic engineering also includes insertion of human genes into sheep so that they secrete alpha-1 antitrypsin in their milk - a useful substance in treating some cases of lung disease.

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Genetic engineering has created a chicken with four legs and no wings.

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Genetic engineering has created a goat with spider genes that creates "silk" in its milk.

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Genetic engineering works because there is one language of life:  human genes work in bacteria, monkey genes work in mice and earthworms.  Tree genes work in bananas and frog genes work in rice.  There is no limit in theory to the potential of genetic engineering.

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Genetic engineering has given us the power to alter the very basis of life on earth.

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Genetic engineering has been said to be no different than ancient breeding methods but this is untrue.  For a start, breeding or cross-breeding, or in-breeding (for example to make pedigree dogs) all work by using the same species. In contrast genetic engineering allows us to combine fish, mouse, human and insect genes in the same person or animal.

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Genetic engineering therefore has few limits - except our imagination, and our moral or ethical code.

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Genetic engineering makes the whole digital revolution look nothing.  Digital technology changes what we do.  Genetic engineering has the power to change who we are.

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Human cloning is a type of genetic engineering, but is not the same as true genetic manipulation.  In human cloning, the aim is to duplicate the genes of an existing person so that an identical set is inside a human egg.  The result is intended to be a cloned twin, perhaps of a dead child.  Genetic engineering in its fullest form would result in the child produced having unique genes - as a result of laboratory interference, and therefore the child will not be an identikit twin.

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Genetic engineering could create crops that grow in desert heat, or without fertiliser.  Genetic engineering could make bananas or other fruit which contain vaccines or other medical products.

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Genetic engineering will alter the basis of life on earth - permanently - unless controlled.  This could happen if - say - mutant viruses, or bacteria, or fish or reptiles are released into the general environment.

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This busy website has hundreds of other resources on this and related topics.

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For more features and VIDEOS on genetic engineering - start here.

How scientists will slow down or stop ageing in humans- Video

Comment by Dr Patrick Dixon on science of ageing, health care, life expectancy, medical advances, pensions, retirement, lifestyles and government policy.
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Loads more on human cloning etc

Whole book chapter on genetic engineering

Full text of The Genetic Revolution - by Dr Patrick Dixon

Human genetics

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CLONING NEWS & THE FUTURE
VIDEO HEADLINES
Should scientists be told when to stop?
Dr Dixon on BBC TV News commenting on claims by Clonaid that they have made 3 baby clones - see also NEWS REPORT
Human cloning: How clones are being made
Do human clones have souls? A common human cloning question
Reasons why I am against human cloning
Have scientists cloned a dead Japanese baby boy?
Human milk from cows and other strange creations
Human cloning to make spare parts for people?
Should human cloning be allowed for infertile couples who cannot have IVF ?
Designer babies - how they will be made using human cloning
Headless human clones could grow organs in ten years
Comment after my TV human cloning debate with Dr Richard Seed who says he wants to do it now
Psychological problems of many who want human cloning - of themselves
What would Hitler have done with human cloning?
Transplanting heads from one monkey to another, headless frogs and human cloning - whatever next?
Biological warfare, chemical warfare, nuclear weapons,Iraq, war against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction
60 other videos on this site

PRESENTATIONS

What will the future be like?
The future of the health care industry - global trends
Stem Cells and Cloning: growing new brain, heart and other tissues
Designer Life - The future of human genetics and genetic engineering
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