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Biological Environment > Genetic Engineering |
This site tells the story of the history of the universe. Click Earlier and Later to follow the story. Note: Many facts have been simplified to make them easier to understand. |
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Humans have always tried to improve their animals and plants by breeding the ones with the features they like.
Engineers are now learning how to take genes from one organism and insert them into another. This technique can be used to cure some diseases or to give resistance to disease. It cal also be used to make clones of animals. There is serious concern among some groups, especially in Europe, that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are dangerous. In a recent BBC poll, 73% of respondents said that GMOs should be banned. Transgenic crops (ones which have genes taken from other organisms) have been more readily accepted in the United States. On the other hand, genetic engineering has led to some dramatic improvements in crop yields. The Rockerfeller Foundation international program on rice biotechnology spent US$100 million in 1984-99 to improve rice genetics. They incorporated the synthesis pathway for beta-carotene--the precusor of vitamin A. 400 million people dependant on rice for their main crop suffer from vitamin A deficiency, causing vision impairment and disease susceptibility. This new golden rice may therefore bring great benefits. |
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Biological Environment > Genetic Engineering |
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