Genetic Engineering 101

This post is designed for those of you who have read Maximum Ride, think Genetic Engineering must be cool because it was used to make the flock, and yet have no idea what it is.

What is Genetic Engineering?

Genetic Engineering is the manipulation of an organism’s genetic code for the purpose of changing some aspect of the organism.

Is it real or fiction?

It’s real.

How does it work?

There are three methods at the moment:
1) Selective Breeding: Where organisms are bred to have certain traits. Examples of this include the Banana and Corn.

2) Single-cell revision: The organism has it’s genes edited when it’s still at the single cell stage, before it splits or very soon after. Has been done in labs. Patterson’s flock technically falls into this category.

3) Retroviral revision: The older organism has it’s genes edited through manufactured viruses. This can be done in a lab, but hasn’t been done yet to larger multi-celled organisms

How far are we from being able to be like Max?

Very far, I assure you. While our understanding of genetics is good, to make something like max would require a complete understanding of both bird and human genomes, something which we don’t have yet, and would require complex grafting between the two in addition to some improvisation to make them fit together.

Show me a picture of Genetic Engineering!
... you asked for it.

They couldn't get it to make a perfect ear though, it was more that they instructed cartilage cells to grow there, and put a roughly ear-shape mold over the growing area. The engineering in this case is more in "cartilage grow here" than "make an ear"

Or, used in the plant world:

This plant was infused with the gene that's responsible for producing the chemical reaction that makes fireflies glow.

Tags: 101, engineering, genetic

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tally on November 16, 2009 at 10:18pm: Did you see your fanclub EOTE? You should feel honored.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Omega on November 16, 2009 at 11:38pm: There's a fanclub?

*joins*; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tally on November 16, 2009 at 11:41pm: Actually, I'm dead serious.
http://www.max-dan-wiz.com/group/endoftheearthfanclub
O.M and I came up with the idea, and she made it. But I made the picture.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Omega on November 16, 2009 at 11:42pm: Just joined!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tally on November 16, 2009 at 11:43pm: xD

Permalink Reply by Dual on November 16, 2009 at 11:49pm: Speaking as an Atheist...

I'd have to say that science has a pretty rough time in proving certain things, or explaining them. Gravity, for example. The creation of mass and energy. Time, and space. The mere existence of a dimension for a universe to exist it. That being said, I don't think a God could exist-though I don't think our universe can exist, either, so it's a bit weird all around.

That being said, Izzy, you shouldn't have brought up God. I understand that you meant well, but it's in bad taste. It's best to assume that nobody wants to talk about religion.; ▶ Reply to This