Genetically Engineeres Crops/animals Essay, Research Paper

Genetically engineered crops/animals

Man has been changing the genetic make-up of plants and

animals, in a limited way, for thousands of years–ever

since he look to planting seed from those wild grasses

that gave the most grain and were easiest to harvest,

or started keeping his fattest Cattle and woolliest

sheep to breed from. We’ve come a long way since then,

and today’s sophisticated breeding techniques have led

to such break-through as high-yielding rice and dwarf

wheat. Despite our advances though, our ability to

Create new plants and animals is greatly limited by our

dependence on the breeding mechanisms that Nature

provides.

This situation is not going to change straight

away. However, recent research indicates that one day,

we may be able to take living cells and combine in them

the genes from quite different organisms to create new

kinds of living things. In fact a few pioneering

research teams have already done this with some very

simple forms of life–using techniques people are

referring to as genetic engineering. The teams have

taken genes derived from higher animals including

humans, and transferred them into bacteria so that they

produce substances like egg-white protein or specific

human hormone.

Of course, an enormous amount of research will be

needed to move from experiments with bacteria to being

able to genetically engineer new crop plants or farm

animals. Even so,…

The rest of the paper is available free of charge to our registered users. The registration process just couldn’t be easier.
Log in or register now. It is all free!