Human Genetic Engineering

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prompt evolution.

Through human interference we can compose our own evolution by using genetic engineering. By using this genetic engineering, scientist have the means to isolate, cut and split different genes from different species, and then amplify the number of copies of the gene that they are interested in.

This process has four steps. First, enzymes are used to cut DNA molecules into smaller fragments. Second, the fragments are inserted into a cloning device, such as plasmids. Third, the fragments that are wanted are identified, and then copied. Fourth the fragment is inserted back into the same organism or possibly into a different one.

Historically, humans have used artificial selection to pass on desirable traits in livestock. Now researchers are trying to identifying and map the specific traits passed on in the human DNA. The Human Genome Project is currently working their way though 3.2 million gene pairs that exist in the twenty three pairs of human ...

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�giant salmon� that grow 37 times faster than the normal fish; �transgenic� pigs that are injected with human genes which causes them to produce milk with human protein that prevents blood clotting; and �supermice� injected with rat growth genes which makes them grow twice their normal size, are just a few.

The goal of genetic engineering is to modify genes in helpful ways, but this manner elevates ethical questions that are morally distressing. It is true that genetic engineering can create many benefits for the human race, but should we play with nature? Historically humans have ignored the risks of their actions. We are toolmakers. We are constantly altering our environment to ...

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