Recombinant DNA Technology: Techniques, Applications, and Impacts

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of recombinant DNA technology, beginning with a definition and delving into the techniques used to create transgenic DNA. It outlines a nine-step procedure for making transgenic DNA, including gene identification, isolation, amplification, and insertio...Read More

Running head: BIOLOGY 1
Biology
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

BIOLOGY 2
Biology
Introduction
The definition of biotechnology has been a fundamental issue across the globe. However,
the United States office of technology Assessment defines biotechnology as any technology that
makes use of the living organisms or part of the organisms to create or modify products, develop
microorganisms or improve plants and animals for specific reasons (Leonard, 2018). The term
biotechnology has been used interchangeably with genetic engineering often to explore the
applications of recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant DNA technology was initiated in
the 1970s purposely as a tool in manipulating DNA to become more powerful than before.
Therefore, this essay narrows down to discuss different concepts relating to recombinant DNA
technology.
Techniques and Applications Used in Recombinant DNA Technology
The process of Making Transgenic DNA
The process of making a transgenic DNA is a nine-step procedure. Firstly, an
identification of the gene of interest is vital. Secondly, isolation of the gene. Thirdly, the isolated
gene is amplified to produce many copies (FAO, 2017). Fourthly, the gene is linked to suitable
promoter and poly A arrangement and placed into plasmids. The plasmid is then bourgeoned and
the emulated entity preserved for injection. The construct is then shifted into the receiver tissue
(a fertilized egg). The DNA segment is then assimilated into the recipient genome before being
articulated into the recipient genome and finally undergoing an inheritance process through
further generations.
Range of uses across a board area

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Some of the uses of the technology include:
 Development of transgenic plants which are resistant to insects, pests,
diseases and other harsh climatic conditions in agriculture
 Development of improved livestock with genetically modified
characteristics like higher milk production in the case of the transgenic
sows.
 Development of the transgenic mice which imitate human beings thus
essential for medical research and testing of drugs.
 Used in the treatment of industrial wastes
 Utilized in making proteins from industrial waste
Development of Transgenic Organisms
Agriculture
Plant (Use Case Example)
A transgenic plant is made in the laboratory by altering the genetic make-up. The
nucleus of the plant cell is targeted for the new transgenic DNA. Often, a transgenic plant is
created by adding one or more genes of a plants' genome. A typical example of a transgenic plant
is BT- Cotton which was made by introducing a toxin gene from the bacterium called Bacillus
thuringiensis into cotton plants to develop a variety which is resistant to the caterpillar
(McGinley and Littlefield, 2016). The DNA produced carries the instruction of producing a toxic
protein which kills the caterpillars by paralyzing their guts when they take it.
Animal (Use Case Example)
There are numerous methods used in developing transgenic animals. Firstly, one may
inject the anticipated DNA segment into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg of the animal.

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Secondly, the embryonic system cells growing in tissue culture may be transformed with the
desired DNA. Thirdly, germ cells transplanting may occur. Cloning may also be done, and lastly
one may apply recombinant retroviruses. A typical example of the transgenic animals in
agriculture is the transgenic sow which is said to produce a 70% more milk than the not-
transgenic one (Wheeler, 2013).
Medicine (use case example)
In medicine, transgenic mice serve as the best example of the application of recombinant
DNA technology. The mice were developed in 1980 after discovering new traits in the newborn
of a mouse resulting from the DNA which was microinjected in the fertilized egg of the mouse.
The mice are currently modified to inherit particular forms of cancer (Ingrid et al., 2015). In so
doing, the doctors and other scientists in the field of medicine have been able to comprehend the
commencement and development of cancer. The mice offer a model which imitates human
beings thus providing not only an insight into cancer but also a testing mechanism of the cancer
drugs.
Benefits of Using Recombinant DNA
Agriculture
Recombinant DNA has come along with a lot of benefits in Agriculture. For instance,
recombinant DNA technology has promoted the development of transgenic plants. Transgenic
plants are genetically transformed plants which have foreign genes. The advantages associated
with such plants are diverse. For instance, most of the transgenic plants are resistant to diseases,
pests, insects, drought and herbicides thus promoting economical agriculture.

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Additionally, most of the plants are tolerant of metal toxicity. The technology also
promotes the induction of male sterility which plays a fundamental breeding purpose role in
agriculture. The technology has also promoted the development of root nodules in cereals like
maize, rice and wheat. In so doing, the cereal crops are capable of fixing the nitrogen in the air
thus promoting soil fertility which consequently promotes higher agricultural production.
Additionally, the technology has enhanced higher yields through the improvement of the
photosynthetic efficiency in plants. The photosynthetic efficiency in crop plants is increased
through the conversion of C3 plants into C4 varieties (Kumar, 2018). This conversion is possible
through recombinant DNA technology.
With regard to the animal section of Agriculture, the technology has promoted distant
hybridization. With recombinant DNA technology, it is possible to transfer a desirable gene from
a lower organism to a higher organism. This has played a significant role in agriculture
especially in promoting higher productivity. For instance, a Friesian cow can be given the
characteristic of being hardy from an indigenous cow to withstand the harsh tropical conditions
while enhancing higher productivity.
Medicine
The technology has played a significant role in gene therapy whereby medical scientists
can replace a defective gene responsible for hereditary traits like haemophilia with a normal one.
Additionally, recombinant DNA technology is significant and more accurate in solving disputed
parentage rather than the use of blood tests. The technology has also played a vital role in the
production of enzymes like urokinase which is used in dissolving blood clots.
Industry

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Recombinant DNA technology helps in the production of proteins from wastes. The
technology has also played a significant role in the production of chemical compounds for
commercial purposes. Furthermore, recombinant DNA technology has aided in the improvement
of the existing fermentation processes in the industries. The developed microorganisms through
recombinant DNA technology can be utilized in the cleanup process of industrial pollutants.
Effects on biodiversity in using Recombinant DNA in agriculture
Recombinant DNA technology leads to the development of herbicide-resistant varieties
of crops thus promoting the use of herbicides in Agriculture (Tides, 2017). Herbicides, on the
other hand, are made up of harmful chemicals which when used are released into the natural
ecosystem. The chemicals then either kill the native plants which act as food to the animals or
directly sicken the amphibians thus causing a decrease in biodiversity.
Secondly, the genetically modified crops have the ability to interrupt the natural plant
populations when they enter into the environment. Usually, the crops are of higher yields thus
attracting most of the agricultural farmers. In so doing, they interfere with biodiversity either
directly or indirectly as most of them are said to be resistant to insects thus likely to lead to
starvation of the insects.
Recombinant DNA technology should be considered an environmentally dangerous
operation. Genetically modified crops produce toxins which threaten biodiversity (Mohan,
Kannan, & Jayaprakash, 2015). For instance, research by Cornell University reveals the negative
impact of Bt toxins which kills the larvae of beneficial and non-targeted species like butterflies
and moths.

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References
FAO, (2017). The process of genetic modification [online]. Retrieved from:
http://www.fao.org/3/Y4955E/y4955e06.htm
Ingrid Moen et al., (2015). Transgenic animals [online]. BMC Cancer, 12/21 (2012), 1-10.
Kumar, S. (2018). Applications of recombinant DNA technology: 3 applications (online).
Retrieved from:
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/dna/recombinant-dna-technology/applications-of-
recombinant-dna-technology-3-applications/15650
Leonard, A. (2018). Laying the groundwork: The techniques and applications of recombinant
DNA technology [online]. Retrieved from:
https://elr.info/sites/default/files/articles/19.10488.htm
McGinley, S. and Littlefield, J. (2016). Transgenic Cotton: A new tool to fight the pink bollworm
[online]. Retrieved from: https://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/general/resrpt1996/t_cotton.html
Mohan, S., Kannan, M., & Jayaprakash, S. (2015). Bt cotton and arthropod biodiversity. Book of
papers, 290.
Tides, O. (2017). Impacts of genetic engineering on biodiversity (online). Retrieved from:
https://sciencing.com/impacts-genetic-engineering-biodiversity-23008.html
Wheeler, M. B. (2013). Transgenic Animals in Agriculture. Nature Education Knowledge
4(11):1