(Name)
(Instructors’ name)
(Course)
(Date)
Genetic Engineering
Genetic, Molecular and Biological factors all have a role to play as the rate of prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases increases. Examples of chronic diseases are those known as neurodegenerative diseases, and they affect a human beings Central Nervous system. In turn, people suffer from chronic conditions such as dementia. This means that there is a lot of research being conducted, in order to find out why the aging population is being affected. The research, which has been done, has found out that the degenerative diseases, which are chronic, are caused by molecular changes. Moreover, the changes take place in the nerve cells and can lead to death or even dysfunction of the nerves. Furthermore, genetics has a role to play in this vital matter on neurodegenerative diseases. The various gene expressions are responsible for changes in the gene structure of human beings (Last, 2000.45).
Another chronic condition is asthma, and its development has been attributed to biological and genetic factors. The disease normally occurs when human are subjected to conditions, which are hypersensitive. During previous years, it was known to have been caused by genetic factors and that has changed. Current research has found out that asthma is caused by environmental, molecular and genetic factors. An infectious disease such as AIDS is spreading fast among people and thus, it leads to high death rates. Biological technology is used in research and study of genetic factors (Last, 2000.45). Furthermore, genetic factors make it possible to find out if people are prone to acquiring infectious and chronic diseases as compared to others. Information regarding genetic, molecular and biological diseases makes it possible to learn about diseases. It makes it easy to learn how to treat and cure infectious and chronic diseases.
Currently, research concerning matters on genetic, molecular and biological factors is available. They can be found in the World Health Organization website and publications. The latter provides information regarding infectious as well chronic diseases and the factors related to them. The Journal of Inflammation has research about the genetics involved in asthma Moreover; it shows the research through the perspective of a molecular biologist. Other research publications include; Medscape Reference, Journal of Neuroscience and American Journal of Epidemiology.
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) exists when genes are transferred from a species to another. The process, which is used, is known as laboratory, and it leads to formations of GMO’s. The process is meant to obtain desirable characteristics and Traits from certain genes. This is the reason why the organisms are known to be transgenic. Genetic Modification and Genetic Engineering are used to describe the laboratory process. There is a difference, which exists between GMO’s and Non GMO’s. The former are produced through conventional methods, and its risks are extremely unique. GMO’s have the ability of overcoming barriers concerning species. It means that it is possible to engage in genetic engineering and come up with unique species. For example, it is possible for tomatoes to be injected with fish genes. The tomatoes will then have traits similar to that of a fish. The latter is not possible when producing Non Genetically Modified Organisms (Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, 2011.1).
An example of a Genetically Modified Food is Soy, and it accounts for 88 % of the total world soya production. When soybean is implanted with a blasted gene, it leads to the formation of GM Soy. The result is that the latter is resistant to glyphosate, which has cytotoxic impacts. Soy is used for various functions for both animals and human beings. Animals are usually fed with feed that contains soy, and human consume it from the animals by products. Human beings consume Genetically Modified Soya from eating meat, eggs and drinking milk of such animals. The GM soy is obtained and processed into flour and it is used in making baby food, bread, among other food stuffs. An example of a company, which makes efficient use of GM soy, is Nestle in the production of baby food. Currently, there have been some criticisms that the use of GM Soy in baby food is harmful to a baby’s health. Rabbits, which have been fed GM Soy, have been known to have increased metabolic activity and liver dysfunctions. The conclusion was arrived at, after conducting a study on the matter and GM Soy found to be the cause. According to Michael Antoniou, a molecular geneticist, the study carried out on the rabbit is true. This means that human beings might be affected in the same manner as the rabbits. This means that it must be ensured that GM food is safe (Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, 2011.1).
Lastly, the government of the United States has come up with tight and effective measures concerning unsafe food. It seeks to ensure that all citizens are protected, so that they do not consume food, which is unhealthy. Some organizations, which have the mandate of ensuring food safety, include the FDA and USDA. For example, they control the food that is imported into the United States. They have guidelines, which have to be met by people who seek to import food to America. Unfortunately, the methods used are not scientific something needs to be done urgently concerning this matter. Consumers should have the proper information regarding the food that they eat (König Et Al, 2010.1087).
Work Cited
Last, J. A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 4th edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.Print.
König A. et al. “Assessment of the safety of foods derived from genetically modified (GM) crops”. Food Chemical Toxicology. 42, 7, (2010): 1047–1088.
Center for Environmental Risk Assessment. HYPERLINK “http://cera-gmc.org/index.php?evidcode=&hstIDXCode=11&gType=&AbbrCode=&atCode=&stCode=&coIDCode=&action=gm_crop_database&mode=Submit” “GM Crop Database:Tomato”. International Life Sciences Institute. HYPERLINK “http://ceragmc.org/index.php?evidcode=&hstIDXCode=11&gType=&AbbrCode=&atCode=&stCode=&coIDCode=&action=gm_crop_database&mode=Submit” http://ceragmc.org/index.php?evidcode=&hstIDXCode=11&gType=&AbbrCode=&atCode=&stCode=&coIDCode=&action=gm_crop_database&mode=Submit. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
