Genetically Modified Organisms in The 3rd World
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)is a 34 kD glycoprotein manufactured almost exclusively by the prostate gland. PSA is a ejaculate component and it liquifies the semen in the seminal coagulum and allows sperm to swim freely. It is also believed to be instrumental in dissolving the cervical mucous cap, allowing the entry of sperm.
In women, PSA is found in female ejaculate at concentrations roughly equal to that found in male semen. It is highly probable that PSA in women will help the sperm to dissolve the cervical cap and to enter the egg.
Prostate cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old. It is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. Men at higher risk include African-America men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and especially men exposed to cadmium. The lower risk group include Japanese men and vegetarians.
Single Nucleotide Polymorhisms (SNPs) are single letter changes in the genetic code differing from individual to individual. Every individual has two copies of the same genes but genes differ in single letters from one individual to another. Most of the time these differences do not hurt anybody. In other words, they do not change the meaning of a gene. Despite these minute individual differences genes are conserved enough to carry out their functions.
Let's say "Jack has brown eyes" is the letter by letter sentence, i.e. the gene coding for brown eyes.
Genetic engineering is used to be defined as simple addition and subtraction of single genes. Now, it is a function of multiple genes. Today, multiple genes are manipulated with the most advanced technology towards the needs of the industry in GMO market.
"People don't understand that we're not working with Gregor Mendel anymore" says Bonnie McClafferty, development head at HarvestPlus in a NY-Times article. "The science is advancing, and there's a whole variety of tools to use".
Wikipedia is the most famous electronic encyclopedia of today. What distinguishes Wikipedia from others is that the content can be created and edited constantly. The information displayed by Wikipedia is pretty dynamic and flows with the changing world.
Two NYtimes articles on DNA describe recent technological advancements that allow us to "enter" and "edit" the DNA information. The approach is similar to that of WikiPedia.
The DNA of Microbes (about 150.000.000 different species ) are constantly sequenced and fed into databases such as Genomic Encylopedia.
Stomata is the name of the small openings on plant leaves. It is the job of the stomata to open and close in response to humidity, CO2-O2 level, and light exposure. In other words, stomata is the mouth of a leave allowing the plant to breath.
A stem cell line is the product of a single parent group of stem cells. The stem cell lines are obtained from human or animal tissues and can replicate for long periods of time in vitro "in the lab", in an artificial environment. The first level of categorization is based on the original lineage. As such, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, cancer stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cell, induced pluripotent stem cells, etc.,etc are the main categories. Down the road each group is divided further with cell line numbers.
"By matching children with rare or life-threatening diseases and modeling potential disease progression, researchers hope to find new routes forward.
Software tools are being developed that can search and compare patient data at hospitals across Europe to find children with closely matched conditions. The doctors can then study how the matched patients at other hospitals were treated and whether that treatment was successful. The information will greatly improve doctors' ability to choose the right path for their own patient."
What is genetic engineering ? Genetic engineering is basically addition or deletion of genes into an organism. A novel gene can be taken from one organism and added into another organism.
On the other hand, if there is one copy of a gene in an organism, one can add additional copies of the same gene, not altering the composition but changing the amount and the related function of that particular gene.
We all know that organic tomatoes have a unique delicious taste and scent. A scent and a taste that make us conclude that the tomato is organic and not a GMO.
Fresh news from Turkey. Turkish parliament declared that any genetically modified organism (GMO)can be freely sold in Turkey provided that they are tagged as "GMO". This is not a law (not plan A) but equivalent to law in terms nationwide execution (but plan B). Scarring from the strong public opposition the current AK party can not directly pass such a law.
