Applications of Genetic Engineering in Medicine

Introduction

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the ability to manipulate the genes of an organism to produce a given protein or obtain organisms that have a given trait. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest.

An organism that is generated through the introduction of recombinant DNA is considered to be a genetically modified organism. The first organisms genetically engineered were bacteria in 1973 and then mice in 1974.

The most common form of genetic engineering involves the insertion of new genetic material at an unspecified location in the host genome. This is accomplished by isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence containing the required genetic elements for expression, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. Other forms of genetic engineering include gene targeting and knocking out specific genes.

Genetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields including research, biotechnology, and medicine. Medicines such as insulin and human growth hormone are now produced in bacteria, experimental mice such as the oncomouse and the knockout mouse are being used for research purposes and insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant crops have been commercialized. Genetically engineered plants and animals capable of producing biotechnology drugs more cheaply than current methods (called pharming) are also being developed and in 2009 the FDA approved the sale of the pharmaceutical protein antithrombin produced in the milk of genetically engineered goats.

The greatest applications of genetics are in medicine. By knowing which gene, which piece of the genetic code is responsible for a given disease, physicians can diagnose diseases. It also allows scientists the opportunity to understand how diseases occur and eventually develop treatments. A large part of modern biomedical research is conducted based on genetics and GE. At least until nanotechnology arrives, GE is the ultimate biotool

Use in medical field

Banana Vaccines

Research being done on potatoes show that genes can be put successfully into potato plants that will make vaccines against cholera, diarrhoea and hepatitis B. Scientists hope to be able to genetically engineer bananas to have vaccines in them. The bananas would then be grown in developing countries, where disease such as cholera and diarrhoea are very prevalent. This would be a much cheaper alternative to the wasteful process of a series of shots, throwing away costly syringes after every injection. About 300 million people are carriers of hepatitis B, which can cause liver failure and liver cancer. Diarrhoea is a common cause of death in young children.

"The next step is to achieve higher doses