Genetic engineering: The process of producing recombinant DNA for the purposes of altering and controlling the genotype

and phenotype of organisms. Restriction enzymes are used to break a DNA molecule into fragments so that genes from another organism can be inserted into the DNA. Genetic engineering has been used to produce a variety of human proteins, including growth hormone, insulin, and interferon, in bacteria. At present, it represents a powerful tool for medical research but is possible only in microorganisms. In the future, genetic engineering may be applicable to more complex organisms, offering the possibility of controlling and eliminating genetic disorders and malformations in humans. What are the benefits of human genetic engineering? The benefits of human genetic engineering can be found in the headlines nearly every day. With the successful cloning of mammals and the completion of the Human Genome Project, scientists all over the world are aggressively researching the many different facets of human genetic engineering. These continuing breakthroughs have allowed science to more deeply understand DNA and its role in medicine, pharmacology, reproductive technology, and countless other fields. The most promising benefit of human genetic engineering is gene therapy Gene therapy is the medical treatment of a disease by repairing or replacing defective genes or introducing therapeutic genes to fight the disease

Genetic engineering can also be applied in the fight against diseases: Through genetic engineering, people could maintain their lifestyles without the threat of AIDS or cancer. Today genetic engineering is used in the fight against problems such as cystic fibrosis, the "bubble boy" disease (* see below), diabetes, and several more.

Another deadly disease now being treated by genetic engineering is the "bubble boy" disease (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency). This disease is characterized by a gene mutation that causes a deficiency in ADA, which causes the cells of the immune system to be destroyed. DNA Technology Applications: Genetic engineering has resulted in a series of medical products. The first two commercially prepared products from recombinant DNA technology were insulin and human growth hormone, both of which were cultured in the E. coli bacteria. Since then a plethora of products have appeared on the market, including the following abbreviated list, all made in E. coli:

A vaccine is usually a harmless version of a bacterium or virus that is injected into an organism to activate the immune system to attack and destroy similar substances in the future.

Tumor necrosis factor. Treatment for certain tumor cells Interleukin-2 (IL-2). Cancer treatment, immune deficiency, and HIV infection treatment Prourokinase. Treatment for heart attacks Taxol. Treatment for ovarian cancer

Interferon. Treatment for cancer and viral infections Genetic Diseases Treatment: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only known treatment for a variety of genetic diseases sometimes called "inborn errors of metabolism" or "storage diseases." These diseases are caused by a deficiency of a specific substance in the body, usually a protein, which results in the accumulation of toxic chemicals inside the cells. Depending upon the protein abnormality and the chemicals that accumulate, specific patterns of tissue damage and organ failure occur, including:

Central nervous system deterioration Growth failure Bone abnormalities and joint disability Enlargement of the liver and spleen in the abdomen Heart disease Airway obstruction Lung disease Corneal clouding Hearing loss

Bone Marrow Transplant The purpose of a bone marrow stem cell transplant for children with these disorders is to provide special marrow-derived cells, which travel to various organs in the body including the:

Liver, called Kupffer cells Skin, called Langerhan's cells Lungs, called alveolar macrophages Spleen, called macrophages Lymph nodes, called lymphocytes and macrophages Tonsils, called lymphocytes and macrophages Brain, called microglia