Genetically Modified Organisms Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Genetically Modified Organisms - Research Paper Example This paper will focus on discussing several issues concerning genetically modified organisms. In the first section, the paper will define these organisms and describe the process of their production. In addition, the paper will pay attention to the myths and truths surrounding GMOs, and outline the areas of application. All the organisms have a definitive genetic makeup that determines the traits that they exhibit. Since the genotype determines all the phenotypic characteristics of organism, any change in the genetic set up translates to a change in the phenotype. This forms the basis of the construction of genetically modified organisms. After the success of several fundamental studies that sought to analyze the genetic constitution of organisms, science moved to a different level (Tyagi, 2009). After scientists succeeded in sequencing several genomes, this success served as a benchmark in understanding the entire genetic constitution in an organism. Moreover, the discovery of restr iction enzymes played a critical role in making gene recombination a possibility. The application of the new knowledge helped scientists develop techniques of altering the genotype of an organism (U.S. Department of Energy Genome Program, 2012). Genetically modified organisms are organisms whose genetic constitution has been altered the introduction of gene from a different species, conferring a new trait to the organism. The production of genetically modified organism focuses on exploiting the positive side of the modification process. Therefore, scientists only seek to induce genetic changes that confer positive qualities such as resistance to diseases and pests. Currently, there are genetically modified organisms from both the plant and animal families (Philips, 2008). The initial genetically modified organisms had only one gene inserted into their genomes and exhibited only one additional quality that was not evident in the wild types. However, the recent advances in biotechnolo gy have presented new realms of inserting several genes into the genome of an organism. Scientists introduced genetically modified organisms as way of scientifically introducing a desirable trait to an organism (Antoniou, Robinson, & Fagan, 2012). Prior to the development of modifying organisms by introducing a new gene, scientists had tried artificial breeding to replace the rather random natural selection. This confirms that science is directly linked with GM. Natural selection denotes the natural breeding that occurs without the influence of the choice of mates by humans. In this case, breeding within species occurs only under the control of the law of inheritance as described by Mendel. According to Mendel, the offspring inherits one of each pair of characters that are different in the parent’s genotype (Kuldell, 2005). However, for each gene, one allele is dominant, explaining the law of dominance as explained further by Mendel. Mendel provided laws that served to explai n the inheritance of qualities through the dominant-recessive principles. Mendel’s work formed a strong foundation for understanding genetics. Other geneticists later described co dominance and incomplete dominance; patterns that are important have proved to be of great significance in understanding the inheritance of some critical traits. Patterns of inheritance that surround natural selection often confer undesirable traits. Therefore, artificial selection came into place to exert a level of control

Human enhancements and the race for space exploration Research Paper

Human enhancements and the race for space exploration - Research Paper Example It is for this reason that political rivalries such as the Soviet Union and the United States focused all their strengths and intelligence to show off the world about their capability enhancements on the other hand has improved especially in the medical sector. It is unclear how to classify enhancements that reduce disease and death and the arena of medicine has many practices that do not cure diseases or injuries such as preventative medicine, palliative, plastic surgery, obstetrics, fertility or cosmetic dental treatments (Roache, 1997). Can space exploration and human enhancements change the face of humanity as we now know it? [This is the first time you’ve mentioned space exploration. Before you launch into your questions, you need to introduce this thought and connect it more directly to human enhancements. This is confusing.]What enhancements have the possibility of changing the way we live on a day to day basis? Will these enhancements have a significant impact on Ameri can families? Scientists are working on amazing technology such as mapping the human genome, three billion chemical letters, centered around one minute molecule; human DNA. The possibility of understanding disease and the mechanism through which genes are transmitted through generations has scientists constantly working on this code as though it was a multi-million dollar sweepstakes and in a way, it is much more important than any quantifiable sum. [This is a very vivid, fanciful sentence that grabbed my attention. Good job!] Modern day marvels such as Viagra, Botox, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors leave scientists posing the questions,’ will there soon be a major difference between the enhanced human being and the unenhanced human being. Is this a recipe for conflict and disaster or human and race improvements? Primitive forms of enhancement such as steroids came about with minimal changes to the race though major enhancements such as robotic surgery, Nano-technology and stem cell research promise to make much bigger splashes in the pool of humanity. Microchip technology, robots used in manufacturing, military and police organizations continue to perform amazing technological feats. Household chores will become much easier and being able to afford such a domestic privilege in the next ten to twenty years may be something that more and more people attempt. Global computers take advantage of billion-transistor chips and exponential changes have been unprecedented in recent history. The Department of Defense takes advantage of robotic technology, modern medicine and therapy also take advantage of robotic technology, are these magnificent creations soon to be available for every American and at what cost or sacrifice will they bring to the American family as we know it? Mega giants such as NASA continue to develop sustainability technology for the troubled earth but one must wonder whether this technology will develop quickly enough to make a substantia l difference in the environment and the ozone. Space exploration has been placed on hold for the near foreseeable future but NASA still develops technology, much based on what has been discovered in prior space exploration. This paper attempts to examine these questions and explores the possibilities that exist in the world of human enhancements. Methodology A complete literature review will be done on human enhancements as they are now and what is projected in the