Genetic Cloning Is Dangerous and Should Therefore Be Banned Essay

Question: Write an argumentative style essay onGenetic cloning is dangerous and should therefore be banned. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Answer: Introduction Gene cloning is said to be the process by which a gene of interest (GOI) is identified and copied out (cloned) of DNA, taken out from a target organism. During the process of DNA extraction all the genes are removed at once. DNA contains various genes. Background Scientists have demonstrated that restriction endonucleases cut DNA molecules at their specific sites and that particular site of larger molecule can be purified by size fractionation technique. By combining segments of targeted DNA with DNA of the vector, for example: plasmids or bacteriophage that replicate inside bacteria, large amount of purified proteins or recombinant DNA molecules can be generated inside bacterial cultures (Seidel, 2001). Prior to 1970s, knowledge about genetics was hindered by inability to differentiate and examine single genes from complicated organisms. This dramatically altered with introduction of cloning methods. Researchers seek to comprehend molecular methods, through which bacteria limited the bacteriophage growth, separated restriction endonuclease and so on (Herring, 2006). The earliest recombinant DNA molecules were produced and analyzed in the year 1972. Importance Cloning takes benefit of the idea that the chemical composition and arrangement is primarily the same in every living organism. Hence, if any DNA segment from any particular organisms is inserted in another DNA segment comprising molecular sequence needed for the replication of DNA and if generating recombinant DNA is transferred to the organisms from which organism the duplication sequences were taken, then foreign DNA will be reproduced together with the DNA of the host cell within the transgenic organism (Ma, 2009). Cloned genes can be applied for sequencing DNA that is the purpose of the accurate order of all base pairs within the gene. Cloned genes make it simpler to examine encoded proteins. To examine different genetical functions it is important to maintain different gene copies to apply as samples for different laboratory experiments, like: Northern blotting, Western blotting, and Southern blotting etc. Thesis Statement Genetic cloning is advantageous and hence should not be prohibited. Topic Sentence The benefits of genetic cloning in genetic research Support idea With the help of gene cloning the genetic researchers find out what genes are responsible for a particular genetic disease. If the disease causing genes are found within the human DNA then it would be a great help for the researchers to exactly identify the reason behind the disease, how to detect the disease in a better way, how the disease can be treated well and also brings hope in disease prevention. Evidence for support idea Gene is made up of DNA and it is a long code which applies four letters. Variations in the coding can modify the function of a particular gene. This one letter variation is referred to as single nuclear polymorphism (SNP) (Fay, 2006). Generally, SNPs do not cause any complications. SNPs are responsible for normal differences from one individual to another (Roleff, 2008). Nevertheless, small amount of SNPs can change genetic functioning and contribute to syndrome. For example: Alzheimers disease, cancer, heart disease and autism are some common examples. By involving linkage analysis researchers can learn which particular genetic dissimilarities are shared by the family members, who have Alzheimers disease. Support idea The advancement of human stem cells Evidence for support idea Embryonic stem cells are grown to generate tissues or organs to replace or repair damaged cells tissues or organs. For example: with the help of genetic cloning technology skin for burn victims can be repaired; brain cells of brain damaged victims can be regenerated and spinal cord cells for tetraplegia can also be generated. It is expected that in near future it may be possible to produce required tissues for affected individuals with less worry that these tissues might get rejected by the self immune systems. Topic Sentence Advantages of gene cloning in agriculture Support idea Gene cloning allows cultivators to produce better food quality. Evidence for support idea With the help of gene cloning technique farmers can replicate farm animals or strongest crops rather than resorting for inter-breeding and this reduces the chance of diseases. Cloning also helps avoiding guesswork in animal reproduction (Peng et al., 2013). It use to be a general belief that breeding between two cows with mealiest build and second meatiest build will produce third well-developed and healthy cow. But with the help of genetic cloning, simple clone of the biggest cow will guarantee the production of quality stock. Support idea Development of salt resistance in transgenic plants Evidence for support idea Excessive salinity is one of the major problems in the agricultural land of dry parts in the world. Therefore, transgenic plants are developed with increased salt tolerance (Barber, 2013). Researchers have found out that plants with elevated salt tolerance have higher levels of glycinebetaine and plants with less salt tolerance have reduced levels of glycinebetaine (Sunkar, 2010). Genetically engineered tomatoes with elevated glycinebetaine level have improved tolerance to saline conditions. Topic Sentence The benefits of gene cloning in medical advancement Support idea Production of therapeutic proteins Evidence for support idea Currently, researchers have showed how to generate therapeutic proteins in milk of genetically engineered animals or also known as animal pharming. Mammary glands of mammalian animals are considered as superb protein generating organ and also offers a suitable delivery system (Watkins, 2011). The immense value of this gland is that mammary gland can produce vary large amount of complicated proteins, for example: antibodies, which are required for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. These proteins can be easily purified from milk and can then be administered in pure form via injection. It is believed that human can drink propagated milk to protect against disease, like: gastric ulcers or to take care of autoimmune diseases, for example: arthritis. Support idea Discovery of a vaccine against a particular disease or a drug for treatment is greatly aided with the help of animal model. Animal mechanisms mimic responses or behavior of human body and this helps in testing the efficiencies of medicines. But animals are not prone to diseases which badly affect humans (Engelhard, Hagen and Boysen, 2009). Hence, it is quite difficult to examine therapies or vaccines for their capacity to ease the disease symptoms. Cloning technique may be applied to generate helpful genetically engineered animal models that would significantly help the treatment development or inoculations for different disease. Researchers are carried out analysis associated with genetically engineered rabbit models, which expresses human receptor for viruses and is at risk to infection. Evidence for support idea Gene splicing Genetic engineering helps scientists to detect a particular gene, remove the gene and duplicate or clone this gene and introduce in other part of same organism or an entirely different organism (Scaife and Vercoe, 2008). For example: bacterial colonies can be transformed to produce hormones, proteins and other substances, which are useful for the treatment of human illness or diseases in other animals. With the help of recombinant DNA technology researchers can amplify few antibodies for treatment of cancers by applying hybridoma technology to produce monoclonal antibodies. Conclusion The author has supported the thesis statement that is genetic cloning is advantageous and hence should not be prohibited. From the discussions it is well understood that gene cloning has great importance in the area of medical advancement, genetic research and agriculture. As stated by the Human Genome project, cloning of gene takes place when piece of DNA from one organism is inserted to a self imitating genetic element, for example: bacterial plasmid, where this piece of DNA can be duplicated. Genetic cloning comprises many advantages: allowing researchers to fight against diseases; to generate muchrequired organs for the clients, who are willing for transplants; to develop the quality and taste of the foods people consume and to repopulate endangered animal populations. So whatever the area it is, the author is completely disagree with the topic which states that gene cloning is dangerous and therefore be banned. References Barber, N. (2013).Cloning and genetic engineering. New York: Rosen Publishing's Rosen Central. Engelhard, M., Hagen, K. and Boysen, M. (2009).Genetic engineering in livestock. Berlin: Springer. Fay, D. (2006). Genetic mapping and manipulation: Chapter 5-SNPs: Three-point mapping.WormBook. Herring, M. (2006).Genetic engineering. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. Ma, J. (2009). Molecular pharminginnovation, product development and manufacture.New Biotechnology, 25, p.S282. Peng, L., Liang, X., Baek, C., Clark, J. and Katzen, F. (2013). One-Step Cloning.Genetic Engineering Biotechnology News, 33(17), pp.28-29. Roleff, T. (2008).Genetic engineering. San Diego, CA: ReferencePoint Press. Scaife, J. and Vercoe, P. (2008).Harvesting knowledge, pharming opportunities. [Midlothian]: British Society of Animal Science. Seidel, G. (2001). Cloning, Transgenesis, and Genetic Variance in Animals.Cloning and Stem Cells, 3(4), pp.251-256. Sunkar, R. (2010).Plant stress tolerance. New York, NY: Humana Press. Watkins, C. (2011).Human embryo experimentation. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.