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Genetic modification is the process of altering the organisms genetic material to acquire new traits. This process is being widely used now to alter crops and their yield, in terms of resistance to diseases, production, enhanced qualities and so on.
The process of genetic modification seems to be quite simple in theory but is in effect a very skilled and scientifically artistic method of combining parts or pieces of the DNA and introducing it into another molecule to create a new gene. This modified DNA is then introduced into the organism to provide the desired results that the experiment set out to achieve.

Genetic modification, Recombinant DNA Technology, Genetic engineering whatever you may call it, all change the genetic make up of the organism or plant by adding traits that are desired.
Genetic modification has been used in animals like rats to study the effects of diseases and their probable treatment in using these methods.
GMO's are probably one of the most widely debated issues of today. The process in terms of crops and other yields may be good but there seems to be a lot of guess work as to how this is working to impact nature and if in fact by tampering with these crops are we indirectly affecting some species.
While the excitement of such advancement is great there are a lot of bioethical issues that are involved in whether we are putting this technology to the best use. Curing diseases with the help of gene therapy and having abundant crop yields with genetically modified plants is all great, but there seems to be a branch of science that wants to go a little further and decide what color your child's eyes, should be or how you could manipulate his or her height and so on.
Science should be used prudently otherwise it might well be a weapon that can destroy everything as we know it. While the ethical issues and debates go on, this field of science seems to advance in leaps and bounds and in the light of the changes that we have, it might not be a bad idea to go out and get your kid one of those genetically modified glo-fish for his new fish tank!

Learn more about this author, Indu Sastri.
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