Gene Splicing

 Since the beginning of gene splicing, scientists have been changing the genes of plants.  They have been able to add characteristics to their plants that they would not normally have to help them better survive and flourish under strained conditions. An example of this technology is in fish. [1] Fish are very used to living in the cold waters of lakes, rivers, and oceans. Over long time periods in cold water they have developed proteins that build up cold resistant proteins in their skin layers. Scientists found this gene when studying fish, and implemented it into cold sensitive fruits such as oranges and other citrus fruits that would otherwise die in the cold winds. By making them frost resistant, they can hold up against the cold much more effectively than normal. By doing this the seasons harvest is greatly increased and makes a much larger profit for the farmer than normal fruits would.

 Although most of the genes spliced by people are meant for the better, and often do benefit what they were intended to they also take a trade off with bad and good traits. For instance in the mid-west, many farmers corn was being eaten by small worms and caterpillars. [2] The corn underwent bio engineering to stop them from eating the corn, and help it kill its predators. The effect was pleasing to many after many seasons of profit and plentiful crops because few were being destroyed by insects such as caterpillars. They soon noticed that the caterpillar population was drastically being reduced due to the BT toxins that were inside the corn. [3] When tested, they found a 100% death rate after the caterpillars were exposed to the corn itself and its pollen, which travels with the wind and is impossible for the butterfly's and larvae to protect themselves from. The amount of the new, altered corn plants grew and the caterpillar population has been in rapid decline in the area ever since.

 Of course, like most science studies some people think that its morally wrong to conduct it, especially in gene splicing. [4] Milton Friedman said "If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there would be a shortage of sand". Some of these thoughts are irrational and are cause by people who think its wrong for their own reasons. [5] Others however give people reasons like the The Wistar Institute of Philadelphia conducted tests without approval from any of their superiors because they said "Argentina has no rules governing the biotechnology industry and the United States rules did not apply". In saying this, America realized that this was essentially a loop hole in their system and nothing could be done to punish them for breaking the rules that America thought they had set for them. [6] The reason that people were upset by their studies was that the cows were given an experimental vaccine that when in close quarters with handlers can transmit sickness. None of the handlers were told that these cows had the vaccine and although no people were reported sick or contracted any form of sickness, they were outraged they were not informed of the risks they were taking being close to the animals without proper protection.

On top of people becoming sick with gene spliced vaccines, comes the safety of eating the food that has been altered by bio engineering. All countries today seem to have their opinions as to whether or not they will eat food that has been altered by technology. [7] 79% of China's citizens said that they would eat bio engineered foods and products and about 78% of Americans said they would as well. Very different from China and America, the UK said about 36% of its citizens would eat these foods. Even lower, Spain said only 29% would tolerate eating any genetically altered foods and products. All foods that are changed in anyway are labeled so and the food products that are all naturals are also marked with labels also.

Gene splicing technology is and has been advancing ever since is was possible to change genes. [8] Proteins called Zinc finger nucleus's, are extremely vague to humans today. The reason these proteins are so useful is because of their unique ability to adapt after being tampered with or altered by bio engineering. Trying to alter the human genome is extremely laborious and time consuming. These other proteins could be used to speed the process up so much that it may actually be possible to splice human genes. [9] The study of these proteins is called Efficient Targeting of Expressed and Silent Genes. In human ESCS and IPSC using zinc-finger nucleus's. Unfortunately this technology is just being discovered and cannot be used to benefit yet.

One of the most recent advances gene splicing has made was found only last month in North Carolina. [10] One particular protein found in celery, mannitol dehydrogenase, has found to greatly benefit plant life. The specific study they did was putting this protein into the stem of roses. The results caused the flowers once cut to live three to four weeks longer than they would in their otherwise. Also the protein is said to boost the quality of the flower pedals and increase the color they have. The changing of genes did not affect the scent of the flower that it had it its natural form. The N.C. State researchers said "The only noticeable difference between normal roses and these super flowers ought to be their vase life".

Gene splicing technology has been used to aid people with various problems with agriculture but later it led to what most people know today as DNA fingerprinting. [11] Having even the smallest part of a person’s DNA in hand has been one of the most effective forms of catching criminals. The polymerase chain reaction technique can make exact copies of DNA from even the smallest samples such and blood, hair, fingernails, skin or anything that came from a human being. Because only one person has your exact DNA the match they get is highly unmistakable unless samples are contaminated.

The discovery of DNA was first made around 1950, but it was not until the late 1970's that scientists figured out they could alter and change genes of organisms. The first scientists that manipulated genes were Hamilton Smith, Daniel Nathans and Werner Arber. Their first major discovery was that bacteria’s made restriction enzymes that could cut DNA chains in specified places. These scientist used these enzymes to figure out they could take the bad part of the bacteria’s' DNA and replace it with a good segment. Once this concept had been developed, instantly there were  hundreds of possible situations where they could use the enzyme to manipulate the genes of organisms. One example where this was useful was changing a bacteria so that it would produce insulin to help people who suffered with diabetes.

Using the enzymes and applying this method in humans, has been one of the most helpful uses of genetic engineering. [13]"Medical scientists now know of about 3,000 disorders that arise because of errors in an individual's DNA". Some of these disorders are known as sickle cell disease, or when blood cells form in the shapes of sickles and clump together. Also cystic fibrosis, which builds thick mucus in the lungs and suffocate the people who have it. In some cases, the people who have these diseases and the other 3000, can be cured by taking a sample of blood from the patient, altering the white blood cells, re-introducing the blood into the blood stream, and allow it to replicate.

In conclusion, gene splicing has become a way that we deal with problems today and in the future. Some of those problems are farmers simply trying to make their crops better protected from the elements or detectives trying to prove who committed crimes using DNA. Also, persons with life threatening diseases, that if left untreated would die benefit from this technology. Trying to solve these problems may lead to causing more damage than they were intended to benefit. Because of this, some people have become aggravated with gene splicing technology and the scientific community that supports it.

Those people against this technology have become activists attempting to stop scientists from tampering with the workings of nature. As we learn more about genetic engineering, it is possible that scientists will show only the benefits. The positive results will be revealed to us and it is then up to each individual to decide whether to consume or purchase items that have been altered.