Genetic engineering

Tema	Anglų kalba
Tipas	Topikas
Aprašymas	Genes are the basic units that determine the characteristics of every living thing and are passed on from parents to children. We inherit many factors in our genes, from hair color to our ability to make the necessary enzymes our bodies need to keep up alive. The process by which we inherit our characteristics depends on structures of DNA that carry a genetic code. Every living organism has its own unique code.
Patalpinta	2005-08-18
Parsisiuntė	429
	Parsisiųsti6 KB

Išsamus aprašymas

It is estimated that humans have between 50,000 to 100,000 different genes; some of them are linked to particular diseases and conditions. Scientists have now identified nearly 4000 conditions that are limited to single defects in a person’s genetic code. Researchers all around the world are currently engaged in “The human genome project”, which aims to identify and define the function of every gene to be found in the human body. Through this they hope to locate errant genes, thereby getting a better understanding of every disease that is genetically transmittable and if possible find a cure for it. Genetic engineering, where by the defective gene sequence is cut and remodeled, is one route scientists might take.
At present genetics can be a reliable predictor of who is likely to develop a particular fatal illness. Many feel that this information has the potential to cause as much harm as good, among the 10 percent of the population who may be affected. Some say that people would not be able to cope with the knowledge that they were likely to contract a terminal illness, but genetics argue that everyone has the right to know so that they could plan the rest of their lives. Some women who have been told that they are likely to develop breast cancer have chosen a surgery to remove the breast in order to increase their chances of survival.
Genetic engineering is big business, and many experiments take place on animals. Fruit flies have been produced that they have extra eyes on their wings and legs; two years ago scientists grew an ear in a test tube and then transplanted on a laboratory mouse without immune system in order to see if it would be rejected. Harvard University has even patented its own mouse known as “nocuous” which has been genetically manipulated to develop cancer.
Imutran, a Cambridge-based biotechnology firm, have produced a pig that is transgenic, from which they hope to be able to supply donor organs such as hearts that are in short supply for transplantation. The revelation that scientists at Cambridge University have successfully transplanted the hearts from genetically altered pigs into monkeys is the most wonderful news to have emerged from the world of medicine fro more than a decade. We are all to familiar with the bad side of science – here is a cause for being happy. The implications are stunning. We are witnessing the forward in human happiness.
The chance now exists that hundreds of thousands of people, who are waiting for heart, liver and kidney transplants and would die because of the lack of donors, will now live. Suffers from many other diseases will also face hope.
Not only will all those who need these major organ transplants be treated but whole new therapies will emerge. Many cancers, for example are now treated by chemotherapy or radiotherapy but in future it might be safer and more effective to just transplant the affected organ.
Possibilities are nearly endless and truly amazing. Whole new era of health and longevity is now downing.

Names of diseases:

Appendicitis, bronchitis, cancer, chicken-pox, constipation – vidurių užkietėjimas, diabetes, diarrhoea – viduriavimas, hay fever – šienligė, hepatitis, indigestion – skrandžio skausmai, flu, insomnia – nemiga, leukaemia, measles – tymai, mumps – kiaulytė, tonsillitis – angina.

Shortened one:

Genetic engineering

A general term for the direncted manipulation of genes, and usually used synonymously with genetic manipulation or genetic modification. A wide range of technologies are involved in this, but most involve the recombinant DNA techniques.
Genetic engineering falls into several different categories depending on what is being engineered.
Bacteria, yeast. This is ‘traditional’ genetic engineering (over 10 years old). Using recombinant DNA techniques genes are put into microorganisms to make them produce something we want, be it insulin, better beer or protein for food.
Animals. Genetically engineered animals are usually called transgenetic animals. They are produced by a combination of fertilization techniques and DNA technology and produce animals that pass on their genetic modification to their offspring.
Plants. Sometimes called transgenetic plants. They are created through the use of plant cloning technologies, which involve growing plants from isolated plant cells.
Humans. Although the genetic engineering methods applicable to cows or mice are, in theory, applicable to humans, they have not been yet applied for obvious ethical reasons. Some experiments treating disease have been performed: these do not modify the germ cells. This is called gene theraphy rather than more public allarming term genetic engineering.

Raktiniai žodžiai

• traditional genetic engineering
• genetic modification rasinys
• transgene zodynas