Genetic Modification 1/15

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Have you ever heard of the superheroes Spider man or Dead pool? Maybe you've heard about their origin stories (how they became who they are, how they obtained those certain powers and abilities) before and don't quite understand the process. Or maybe you haven't heard of their stories at all and wonder if they just woke up one morning with special powers that resemble a certain organism. If you fit into any of these categories, then read on because I'm going to explain how these superheroes and many others usually came to be, while hopefully fixing your confusion. The most common way a superhero can acquire unique abilities is by a process called Genetic Modification or otherwise known as Genetic Engineering. This process is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species to produce improved organisms. When Genetic Modification is performed or experimented on organisms it is known as GMO, standing for Genetically Modified Organisms. So how is Genetic Modification specifically? The process starts by choosing the certain organism that you want to take the abilities from and extracting those specific genes from the organism's DNA. Next a small piece of circular DNA called plasmid is extracted from a bacterial cell. This short piece of DNA is capable of replicating on its own when inside a bacterial cell. After a small section of the circular plasmid is cut out by restriction enzymes, otherwise known as molecular scissors. Then the gene DNA of interest is inserted into the gap of the plasmid. The ends of the two sequences are stitched together by a DNA ligase. The bacterial cell is put in large fermentation vessels to allow growth and duplication. This cell should divide rapidly. The process is basically done, the bacterial cells just need to be inserted in the human. However, this doesn't mean that only superheroes are used as GMOs, many other organisms such as plants, fruits, vegetables, animals, and humans with certain diseases are also commonly Genetically modified.

S&EP - SP7: Engage in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I took notes on how scientists specifically perform Genetic Modification on organisms providing the several sources I researched as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that the bacterial cell were put into the fermentation vessels to allow growth and duplication using the fact that bacterial cells divide rapidly inside the fermentation vessels as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that the DNA of interest from the certain organism could be inserted into the gap of the plasmid and then the plasmid is inserted in the bacterial cell as is, but because of researching a little bit deeper throughout websites now I think that the ends of the two sequences of the DNA and plasmid have to be stitched together by a DNA ligase first, before it is inserted into the bacterial cell. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on this process of genetically modifying organisms which I discussed with other students who were researching the same process. Together we figured out that Genetic Modification is a complicated process that has to be performed carefully.

XCC: Cause and Effect

The cause and effect relationship in Genetic Modification is between what the steps the scientist does in the process and the end result of the organism's abilities. What happens to the organism after the experiment depends on how the scientist genetically modifies the DNA of the organism. The scientist basically controls what will happen to the organism in the end. More specifically, if the scientist modifies the DNA so that the organism has certain abilities, it effects the organism by allowing it to obtain those special abilities. For example, if the scientist added in genes that portray the power of flying into the gap of the plasmid before inserting it inside the bacterial cell, as a result this would effect the organism after the process is done by allowing it to have the power of flying. However, if the scientist makes a mistake or messes up anywhere in the process, it can greatly effect the organism by probably causing a negative reaction in its DNA. This might lead to a malfunction in the organism. This information that I contain in my knowledge about the specific relationship in Genetic Modification can help me "take over the world" by allowing me to have certain details n my knowledge about the effects of genetic modification. Which can help me especially in the future if I choose to become a scientist that specializes in GMO. Particularly in the genetic modification in food, resources, and humans with certain diseases.