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Biology Essay

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The technology of gene engineering involves modifying the external genetic material of

an organism to get advanced and desirable features in living organisms. In the previous century,

the technology of recombinant DNA technology was a dream that desired features can be

advanced in live bodies by determining the expression of specific genes. However, in recent

decades, the field of recombinant DNA technology has attracted unique effects to introduce

improvements in current life. Through the virtue of recombinant DNA engineering, important

body minerals needed for health issues and nutrition problems can be manufactured sufficiently,

safely, and affordably (Russell et al., 2019). The technology of genetic engineering has a wide

range of applications to address sensitive aspects of human life such as health, resistance to harsh

environmental effects, and food security. Therefore, the application of recombinant DNA

technology will improve the quality of human life extensively.

Contrary to traditional approaches to address agriculture through the application of

breeding, recombinant DNA technology applies modern approaches and tools. For instance, the

technology applies molecular transformation and cloning which yield more products and are less

time-consuming. For example, conventional breeding transfers both nonspecific and specific

genes in large amounts into the recipient while recombinant DNA technology only focuses on a

small block of desirable genes into the target organisms using many techniques like

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (Begna, 2020). Additionally, the technology of

recombinant DNA has major applications in the production of novel enzymes. Novel enzymes

are suitable in conditions for specific food manufacturing and processing. The technology has

also been widely applied in developing microbial strains with specific applications of

engineering for manufacturing proteases; some strains of fungi have been applied to reduce the

toxic level of certain products. Moreover, lysozymes are specific agents for eliminating bacteria
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in food industries hence increasing the shelf life of food products such as fruits, vegetables, meat,

and cheese. As a result, the quality of human life improves.

Concerning health and diseases, the technology of gene engineering has an extensive

range of applications in improving health conditions and treating various diseases. For instance,

gene therapy is a developed criterion with therapeutic capabilities in effective health services

(Kah et al., 2016). The initial successful report in the discipline of gene therapy in treating

genetic infections gave a more secure technique in providing a method for treating adenosine

deaminase deficiency which falls under the deadliest genetic diseases. Additionally, the

application of lentiviral vectors was made effective to treat genetic human diseases. For instance,

metastatic melanoma was treated for the first time in human history through immunotherapy by

advancing the specific DNA expressions in 2006. Notably, this particular progress in the industry

of health opened new opportunities for advanced studies to treat deadly diseases through

immunotherapy (Montini et al., 2013). This development has improved the efforts of human

beings in addressing cancerous diseases across the globe.

Moreover, various forms of cancer such as skin, lung, pediatric tumors, neurological and

gynecological have been targeted through the application of gene therapy. Recombinant DNA

technology has been applied in various ways to treat cancer. For instance, oncolytic virotherapy

and the technique to introduce tumor suppressor genes to immunotherapy have been used to treat

cancer. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world today. The recombinant DNA

technology I integrated with other techniques such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat

different types of cancers. The p52 is a common tumor suppressor recombinant DNA is a vital

player in cancer treatment achievements. P52 is applied together with radiotherapy and

chemotherapy. The recent techniques that have been applied include vaccination with cancer
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cells altered to express immunostimulatory molecules and vaccination with host cells made to

express cancer antigens. As a result, many people have benefited from this growing technology

hence the quality of their lives has been improved.

Environmental degradation is a worrying trend in most parts of the world. Energy

sources such as fossils produce a lot of carbon dioxide into the environment. As a result, the

ozone layer is depleted hence causing the effect of global warming. However, hydrogen is a

growing source of energy and it is friendly to the environment. Bacteria such as cyanobacteria

facilitate the production of hydrogen. The process of producing hydrogen is enhanced by

applying the appropriate enzymes effectively. The enzymes play a major role in the production

of hydrogen. The technology of recombinant DNA and alteration of growth environment and

nutrients have demonstrated effective results to improve hydrogen production in biofuels

(Russell et al., 2019). The utilization of biofuels will not pollute the environment. Conventional

sources of energy release hazardous substances and carbon iv oxide into the environment hence

lowering the aesthetic value of nature. The commercialization of gene engineering in producing

biofuels will improve the quality of life on earth by being environmentally friendly.

Additionally, cyanobacteria can be altered to convert carbon II oxide into broken fuel

compounds hence making carbon energy sources conducive to the environment.

In conclusion, the technology of genetic engineering is a critical development in the

history of human life. It has improved life on earth in various aspects such as treating various

types of cancer, increasing food production, and environmental conservation. Food, health, and

the environment are sensitive areas in human life and they form the basic life requirements. The

technology of recombinant DNA is addressing these basic requirements of human life from

various approaches. Notably, gene engineering has modern techniques for medical applications
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like treating cancer and much genetic disorder. Full utilization of recombinant DNA technology

will improve the quality of human life extensively.

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References

Begna, T. (2020). Role of Recombinant DNA Technology in Agriculture. International Journal

of Research in Agriculture and Forestry, 7(12), 08-15.

Khan, S., Ullah, M. W., Siddique, R., Nabi, G., Manan, S., Yousaf, M., & Hou, H. (2016). Role

of recombinant DNA technology to improve life. International journal of

genomics, 2016.

Montini, E., Biffi, A., Calabria, A., Biasco, L., Cesani, M., Benedicenti, F., ... & Naldini, L.

(2013, December). Integration site analysisin a clinical trial of lentiviral vector based

hematopoietic stem cell genetherapy for metachromatic leukodystrophy. In Human Gene

Therapy  (Vol. 24, No. 12, pp. A58-A58). 140 Huguenot Street, 3rd Fl, New Rochelle,

Ny 10801 Usa: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Russell, P. J., Fenton, M. B., Maxwell, D., Haffie, T., & Nickle, T. (2019). Biology: Exploring

the Diversity of Life. Nelson.