Genetic Engineering Essay Example

benefits in certain environments and societies while not in others. There have been conflicting reports regarding genetic modifications, causing confusion among people. Intrinsic concerns stem from personal emotions and values, as some feel that manipulating genes in organisms for our benefit is akin to "Playing God" and believe that human intervention in God's realm is inappropriate.

The creation of new life forms and the invention of a new world through technology involve crossing natural species boundaries. Genetic engineering involves playing with God and disrupts the beauty, integrity, and balance of medicines. Similarly, agriculture started by disrupting nature. Hybrid plants and animals like mules are examples of cross-species organisms that exist. In fact, mules have been cloned and can reproduce in that way! Additionally, it is argued that consuming meat harms the lives of sentient beings.

Supporters of GM food argue that these concerns lack validity and fail to address practical issues such as protecting the environment, improving environmental conditions, combating hunger and malnutrition, and preventing loss of biodiversity.

Diagnostic Procedures

A variety of techniques are used to study gene function, including 'knockout experiments' where genes are modified to be inactive. This allows researchers to analyze the effects of the mutation and understand gene function. Gain of function experiments, which increase gene activity, are also performed alongside knockout experiments. 'Tracking' experiments provide information about protein localization and interaction. Expression studies help identify where and when specific proteins are produced.

Modifying promoters through promoter bashing helps identify species that promote proper gene expression and bind transcription factor proteins. Other procedures such as microinjection involve introducing genes from one organism into another's nucleus to integrate with the host

cell's genetic material. Ballistics uses small silver particles coated with genetic material inserted into recipient cells, while electrification and chemical methods create pores on cell surfaces for easier gene transfer using weak electric currents or chemicals.

Conclusion

Successful endeavors include the following: Manufacture of human insulin through the use of modified bacteria. In 1982, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the genetically engineered drug, human insulin. Genetic engineering programming is the application of genetic engineering to produce pharmaceutical chemicals.

Progress in biological science has been enhanced through various advancements, such as retrofitting production in Chinese hamster ovary cells and developing new experimental mice for cancer research. These developments have led to improvements in manufacturing genetically engineered vaccines and drugs. Additionally, the prevalence of genetically modified organisms in food engineering and research has also contributed to this progress. However, despite significant achievements in this field during the past two decades, there is still much more to discover.

The human genome and the genomes of other plants and animals have opened up new possibilities for genetic research. Prenatal diagnosis, a method used to identify diseases or conditions in a fetus or embryo before birth, is also employed to determine the gender of a baby. In vitro-fertilized embryos are subjected to testing for preimplantation genetic diagnosis in order to detect any genetic disorders.

Both invasive and non-invasive methods are used to evaluate birth defects. Invasive methods involve inserting probes into the placenta, while non-invasive methods known as "screens" can assess the risk of a condition but cannot give a definite diagnosis. If a non-invasive procedure indicates an abnormality, further information may be gathered using a more

invasive technique. The main objective is to detect birth defects such as Town's syndrome, neural tube defects, and chromosome abnormalities. However, factors like physical health and socioeconomic status can increase the risk of health problems and unfavorable birth outcomes.

Are the potential benefits of prenatal diagnosis, like amniocentesis, worth the associated risks? Concerns have been raised that this practice may enable parents to selectively choose the traits and characteristics of their children. This could include preferences regarding gender, physical attributes, and personality. Some argue that this form of eugenic abortion is already taking place, particularly in cases of sex-selective abortions. However, having knowledge about certain birth defects such as spinal biffed and dermatome before birth can offer the possibility of fetal surgery during pregnancy or ensure prompt treatment and/or surgery immediately after birth.

The value of mentally/physically disabled individuals is being questioned in a non-directive and supportive way. It is important for parents to be well informed when deciding between abortion or continuing a pregnancy.

Non-Invasive Methods

When it comes to ultrasound detection, there are various examinations that can be performed on pregnant women. These examinations, such as dating scans and booking scans, aim to confirm pregnancy dates and identify potential twin pregnancies. Additionally, morphology scans can be conducted at 18 weeks to assess the baby's sex and identify any abnormal development.

To detect increased risks of Down syndrome, a specialized uncial scan can be performed at 11-13 weeks. This scan can utilize either a footloose or Doppler ultrasound fetal heart monitor to listen to the baby's heartbeat. External fetal monitoring, also referred to as a non-stress test, involves placing a small round ultrasound

disc with ultrasound gel on your abdomen. It is secured using a lightweight stretchable band or belt.

Less Invasive Methods

The second trimester maternal serum screening, also known as APP Screening, triple screen or squad screen, is able to determine the levels of alpha petitioner, B-HCI, inhibit-A and stories present in the mother's serum. On the other hand, the first trimester maternal serum screening assesses the levels of free B-HCI and PAP-A in the mother's serum and combines these results with the measurement of uncial translucency (NT). Furthermore, some institutions also use ultrasound to check for the presence of fetal nasal bone. Integrated, sequential and contingent screening tests utilize both first and second trimester serum samples, along with the measurement of uncial translucency, in order to calculate the individual's risk.

There are two methods of screening: integrated screening and sequential screening. Integrated screening involves analyzing both samples together to produce a report. In contrast, sequential screening involves analyzing the first trimester sample and generating a report, then analyzing the second trimester sample and creating a final report. High or low risk patients will receive reports after submitting their first trimester sample. However, moderate risk patients must provide a second trimester sample. After analyzing both serum samples and NT measurement, these patients will receive a comprehensive report that incorporates information from both samples.

The method of detecting fetal blood cells in maternal blood involves utilizing the baby's blood cells that have entered the mother's bloodstream. Techniques like baby gender mentor claim to use this method for determining the gender of a baby as early as six weeks into pregnancy. Other more invasive methods, such

as chronic villous sampling and amniocentesis, are performed at different stages of gestation with varying levels of risk. Chronic villous sampling is done earlier than amniocentesis, between 9.5 weeks and 12 weeks gestation, while amniocentesis is typically performed between 14 weeks and 20 weeks gestation once there is enough amniotic fluid containing cells from the baby for testing purposes. Embryoscopy and photocopying involve inserting a probe into the uterus for observing or extracting blood or tissue samples from the baby using a video camera.

Treatment

By obtaining DNA from the baby, certain genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis can be identified through an invasive procedure.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting the exocrine glands, causing abnormal secretion of thick mucus. If detected prenatally, parents may choose abortion; otherwise, invasive prenatal diagnosis holds no benefits and poses risks to the child. Genetic counseling can help families make informed decisions with prenatal diagnosis results.

Other purposes:

The reason for providing information regarding a diagnosed condition either before or after birth is to enable prompt medical or surgical intervention. It also offers parents the choice of terminating a fetus with the said condition or getting ready for having a baby with health complications, disabilities, or even stillbirth. Acquiring such awareness in advance helps healthcare professionals to prepare more effectively for treatment and provides an opportunity for parents to receive counseling. In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish.

When the IF procedure is successful, the embryo is transferred to the uterus. This process carries risks such as psychological stress, depression, bloating, mood swings, headaches, ovarian hyperventilation syndrome, and side effects

from fertility drugs. There is also an increased likelihood of premature birth or multiple pregnancies. Additionally, egg retrieval and anesthesia use come with their own risks including slight bleeding, infection, and damage to the bowel, bladder or blood vessel. Moreover, this procedure separates the intuitive-procreative aspect of intercourse.

The creation of embryos in a laboratory involves fertilization that is not connected to sexual intercourse, which results in the loss of the natural procreative element of the conjugal act. It is crucial to recognize that a child should be seen as a gift rather than a commodity and deserves to be conceived through the specific act of love between their parents (ICC 2378). The process of collecting eggs from women leads to significant destruction of human life on a large scale, causing potential side effects such as abdominal pain and nausea. Moreover, destroying defective embryos contradicts Pope John Paul II's assertion that every individual should be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception.

The act of terminating "extra" embryos (reducing pregnancy) may conflict with moral beliefs, and the collection of sperm through masturbation might be considered morally objectionable.

Diagnostic Procedures

The process of superannuation involves stimulating the ovaries to release mature eggs by injecting a combination of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. These hormones are naturally present in the female body. To collect the eggs, a procedure called follicular aspiration is conducted, which involves extracting eggs from the ovarian follicles.

The eggs are obtained from the female's body through a minimally invasive surgical technique. This involves inserting a thin needle into the vagina under ultrasound guidance. To gather the eggs,

follicular aspiration is carried out by attaching a suction tube to the needle. After retrieval, the eggs are combined with the male's sperm during insemination. Fertilization can happen naturally when sperm enters the egg or through intracytoplasmic sperm injection where sperm is directly injected into the egg. Following fertilization, the egg undergoes division and development to form an embryo.

Embryo culture is the process of cultivating embryos on an artificial medium. This technique enables high-risk couples to undergo preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Afterward, the resulting embryo is transferred to the female's uterus using a thin tube.

Treatment/ Prevention

For the best outcome, it is advised to transfer a maximum of four embryos during an IF cycle. This helps reduce the chances of multiple pregnancies and potential complications. It's crucial to have a comprehensive conversation with your doctor about what should be done with any leftover embryos.

Conclusion

• Reasons for Performing IF: Infertility in Females
• Advanced maternal age
• Endometriosis
• Poorly functioning Fallopian tubes Impotency of Males Males suffering erectile dysfunction (DE) or premature ejaculation Infertility in Males
• Decreased sperm count
• Blockage of sperm transport

The success rates of in vitro fertilization (IF) vary depending on age. For women under 35, the success rate ranges from -30% to 35%. Women aged 35-37 have a success rate of 25%, while those aged 38-40 have a success rate of 15% to 20%. Women over the age of 40 have a success rate of 6% to 10%. Despite its revolutionary impact on pregnancy, the utilization of technology still entails significant risks.