Genetics and Genetic Engineering: Techniques, Uses, and Future

This report provides a comprehensive overview of genetics and genetic engineering. It begins with an introduction to the field, defining key concepts and the historical context, including the contributions of Gregor Mendel. The main body of the report details various DNA techniques, such as PCR and RF...Read More

Genetics and genetic
engineering

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Basic DNA technique and use of genetic engineering technologies...........................................3
Extract, separate and amplify DNA............................................................................................4
Use of genetic engineering technologies in industry and medicine............................................5
Future use of genetic engineering technologies..........................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Genetics refers to a branch of biology which concerned with study of genes, genetic
variation and heredity in organisms. The father of genetics is Johann Gregor Mendel as he works
on pea plant and discover fundamental laws of inheritance. However, it consist law of
segregation, law of independent assortment and law of dominance (Hu and Xiong, 2014).
Genetics information lies on DNA in nucleus of cell which is responsible for heredity and
evolutional. Gene consist the particular trait which get transferred from old generation to the next
generation. The present report will focus on aspects of genetics and genetic engineering
including related techniques and their use in medicine industry.
MAIN BODY
Basic DNA technique and use of genetic engineering technologies
There are number of DNA technique which are conducted for respective use such as
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP),
Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, mitochondrial DNA analysis and Y- chromosome
analysis. In addition to this, use of genetic engineering technologies is applicable for different

aspects which provide support improve accuracy of results and increase desired outcomes
respectively. Moreover, it include forensic science, paternity & maternity determination,
personal identification, diagnosis or inherited diseases, development of cures for inherited health
issue, detection if AIDS and breeding programs. Meanwhile, these technique are supportive to
increase the yield of crops, improve their nutritive value and provide vitamin & minerals to poor
people in reasonable food items, for example, golden rice is rich is vitamin A which is kind of
genetically modified plant (Khan and et. al., 2016).
The DNA fingerprinting is method in which desired fragments of DNA can be separated
and modified in order to use them for several purposes. It include several steps from the
extracting DNA to modifying them in desired way. Firstly, it is necessary for isolating the DNA
by suitable technique like broke open the cell. Secondly, it include the digestion of DNA through
the help of restriction endonucleases (RE) enzymes. Thirdly, separation of digested fragments of
DNA according to their size through conducting process of gel electrophoresis. However,
blotting the separated fragments onto synthetic membranes like nylon. Moreover, hybridisation
of DNA fragments take place by utilising labelled VNTR (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats)
probes. Finally, it involve to analyse hybrid DNA fragments with the help of using
autoradiography.
Extract, separate and amplify DNA
The DNA modification through artificial methods in living organisms or cells to produce
novel compounds or preform new functions is considered in biotechnology. It include the criteria
to modify DNA for various aspects such as improving crops nutrients or yield, make new
medicines, treatment of severe diseases, crime evidences, paternity & maternity determination,
personal identification, breeding programs and diagnosing inherited disorders (Bruce and Bruce,
2014). DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid which include sugar, nitrogenous base and a
phosphate group. The modification of DNA consist extraction, separation and amplification
which are described below.
Extraction of DNA – This can be described as an isolation of nucleic acids in which
DNA is extracted from cells with the help of using appropriate technique. Many times, it is
observed that cells are broken open and then use enzymatic reactions to destroy the undesired
macromolecules. The macromolecules like proteins and RNA are inactivated using enzymes in
order to prevent degradation and contamination. The resulting DNA is made up of long polymers

that prepare gelatinous mass which is known as genomic DNA and RNA in which RNA can be
further digested through an enzyme for removing it.
Separation of DNA – The separation of DNA can be done through the technique of gel
electrophoresis which is helpful to separate charged molecules on the basis of size and charge. It
include that nucleic acids are loaded into a slot at one end of gel matrix and then apply an
electric current which results into putting negatively charged molecules to opposite side of
positive electrode. Meanwhile, smaller molecules move through pores in gel faster which
facilitate the separation of fragments as per their size which get stained with help of a dye
because nucleic acids are invisible in gel matrix until they get stained.
Amplification of DNA – The amplification refers to make multiple copies of desired
DNA with the help of more effective technique including polymerase chain reaction. It will not
copy the entire genome but make millions of copies of single specific region of interest.
However, it include Taq DNA polymerase which assembles only in 5' to 3' direction. Moreover,
this consist denaturation by heating at 94 0C separate strands and annealing by cooling sample to
anneal primer (base pair) with their complementary sequence. Final step is extension by warming
sample to optimum temperature for Taq polymerase.
Use of genetic engineering technologies in industry and medicine
In context of medicine and industry, the genetic engineering technologies are helpful in
several aspects for human beings. However, gene therapy will able be to develop cure of genetic
diseases such as colour-blindness by adding a fourth receptor which will increase human
capability even more than original state. Moreover, it is helpful to improve effectiveness of
diagnosis in terms of determining genetic inherited disease and production of vaccines,
antibiotics and hormones for curing several health problems. Moreover, these technologies
provide support to increase crop yielding and nutritive value of food products.
Future use of genetic engineering technologies
The future use of genetic engineering technologies include that human will be able to
design pet as they customize a car in future. However, microbes are essential tiny machines and
chemical refineries. These will be combine with computers and able to make new chemicals and
materials for various purpose (Wagner and Alper, 2016). Meanwhile, Construction of artificial
and synthetic chromosomes so researchers will be able to introduce tens to hundreds of genes
into a plant. Gene editing will help in manipulation of multiple of genes. In addition to this,

CRISPER-Cas9 will be able to eliminate genetic disorders or it may help to bring extinct animal
or plant species.
Genetic engineering technologies
Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)
Strengths Weaknesses
RFLP is more accurate because of using size
sample more, use of fresh DNA sample and no
amplification contamination
IT requires more prolonged period of
completing analysis ans it is expensive.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of short tandem repeats (STRs)
Strengths Weaknesses
It include that the small amount of specimen is
sufficient for the best outcomes and it needs
less duration of time with low cost.
It is less accurate than RFLP and the
possibility of amplification contamination
exist.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been analysed that genetic engineering technologies are
helpful to modify the DNA as per requirements to gain desired outcomes. It include the
extraction, separation and amplification of DNA in order to make new modified DNA for
specific purpose. The genetic engineering technologies like PCR and RFLP facilitate to modify
DNA for producing effective medicines, increase crop yield & nutritive value, diagnosing
inherited disease and many more.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Hu, H. and Xiong, L., 2014. Genetic engineering and breeding of drought-resistant crops. Annual
review of plant biology. 65. pp.715-741.
Khan, S. A. and et. al., 2016. Genetics of human Bardet–Biedl syndrome, an updates. Clinical
genetics. 90(1). pp.3-15.
Bruce, D. and Bruce, A., 2014. Engineering genesis: ethics of genetic engineering in non-human
species. Routledge.
Wagner, J. M. and Alper, H. S., 2016. Synthetic biology and molecular genetics in non-
conventional yeasts: current tools and future advances. Fungal Genetics and Biology.
89. pp.126-136.
Online
DNA Fingerprinting. 2019. [Online]. Available through: <https://byjus.com/biology/dna-
fingerprinting/>