GENETIC ENGINEERING

Genetic Engineering is the technology that involved in transfer, synthesis and deletion of genes
and its manipulations. Recombinant DNA technology developed by Paul Berg forms the basis
for genetic engineering. Genetic engineering can be used to improve the quality of plants and
animals. It is a complex process that involves many steps. Firstly a recombinant DNA is made.
For that the gene of interest is separated from the host DNA using restriction endonuclease
enzyme or by amplifying the gene sequence using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), followed
by the separation using electrophoresis and then inserted into a plasmid. The plasmid is then
integrated into a bacterium where it replicates. Thus multiple copies of the desired gene are
formed. The gene segment can now be inserted into target organism. This can be achieved
using many methods such as gene gun, electroporation or by using Agro bacterium or vectors.
Vectors could be viral vectors, cosmids, phagemids, plasmids or even bacteriophages. Genetic
engineering has wide application ranging from the synthesis of hormones to production of
genetically modified animals or plants. Insulin was the first hormone to be synthesized
artificially. Vaccines and Hybridoma technology for monoclonal antibody production are
developed by genetic engineering. Insect and herbicide resistant plants arouse as a result of
genetic engineering. It also helped in identifying various mutations in genes. Gene therapy is yet
another application and it helps in curing many genetic diseases including Parkinson’s disease,
SCID etc. One of the latest and promising applications of genetic engineering is the
development of CAR Tcells (Chimeric Antigenic Receptor) which is said to be effective in curing
HIV AIDS. CAR T cells are proved to be a treatment for leukemia.