Genetic-Engineers Create Modular DNA Dev Kit

Students from around the world competed in the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition, creating biological machines with modular DNA snippets. - Global Intellect

Genetic engineering is based on a conception of genes as simple codes for determining specific properties. It is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms. To help us think more clearly about this debate, we need to have a rough understanding of how the engineering is actually done. Genetic engineering is applied in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research worldwide. Genetic engineering is not just an extension of conventional breeding and it is not, of itself, either bad or good. Genetic engineering is now being used to create genetically altered foods and exploring regeneration of living tissue. Evidence of regeneration is all around and the science of genetic engineering is slowly mastering its techniques.

The history of genetic engineering can be traced back to historic times. Note the history that genetic engineering enthusiasts dismiss, ignore or deny is relevant to an understanding of what they are up to today. Other widely accepted plant-breeding tools help to put genetic engineering in a realistic context. The timeline of the genetic sciences is remarkable. Although history is a very interesting area to think of What Ifs, nature is all around us everyday.

Playing with genes is what this is all about. But perhaps the area that stands to benefit the most from genetic engineering is medicine. Anti-technologists and political extremists misinform, and over exaggerate statements that scientific innovation is not part of the natural order of things.