genetic+modification

=Genetic Modification=

As scientific understanding of DNA increases, so does the ability to copy and alter the molecule. This is called genetic engineering or genetic modification. The definition of genetic modification is 'any alteration of genetic material (DNA or RNA) of an organism by means that could not occur naturally through mating or recombination'. The genetic techniques involved could include:
 * **transferring genes from one organism to another**
 * **moving, deleting, modifying, or multiplying genes within a living organism**
 * **modifying existing genes or constructing new ones, and incorporating them into a new organism.**
 * G**enetic modification could help save someones life; by being able to remove or add something to a gene you could save somone, e.g. taking away the gene that would endanger them.


 * Here are just some of the advantages of genetic engineering** :
 * Disease could be prevented by detecting people/plants/animals that are genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases, and preparing for the inevitable. Also, infectious diseases can be treated by implanting genes that code for antiviral proteins specific to each antigen.
 * Animals and plants can be 'tailor made' to show desirable characteristics. Genes could also be manipulated in trees for example, to absorb more CO2 and reduce the threat of global warming.
 * Genetic Engineering could increase genetic diversity, and produce more variant alleles which could also be crossed over and implanted into other species. It is possible to alter the genetics of wheat plants to grow insulin for example.


 * Here are some possible eventualities and disadvantages**.
 * Nature is an extremely complex inter-related chain consisting of many species linked in the food chain. Some scientists believe that introducing genetically modified genes may have an irreversible effect with consequences yet **unknown**.
 * Genetic engineering borderlines on many moral issues, particularly involving religion, which questions whether man has the right to manipulate the laws and course of nature.