Ecb at 17:37, 26 July 2012

2012-07-26T17:37:23Z

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	“Gengineering” is the practice of manipulating		“Gengineering” is the practice of manipulating
	genes to produce desired changes in an organism.		genes to produce desired changes in an organism.

Ecb: /* Germline Genetic Engineering */

2012-07-26T17:30:52Z

Germline Genetic Engineering

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	is a universal code, genes from one species can		is a universal code, genes from one species can
	be added to another, producing transgenic life		be added to another, producing transgenic life
-	forms with traits from multiple species. Early ~~21stcentury~~	+	forms with traits from multiple species. Early 21st-century
	examples of transgenic entities included		examples of transgenic entities included
	bacteria modified with human genes to produce human		bacteria modified with human genes to produce human

Ecb: Created page with '“Gengineering” is the practice of manipulating genes to produce desired changes in an organism. Genetic information, encoded in the molecule DNA, tells a growing organism’s…'

2012-07-26T17:28:50Z

Created page with '“Gengineering” is the practice of manipulating genes to produce desired changes in an organism. Genetic information, encoded in the molecule DNA, tells a growing organism’s…'

New page

“Gengineering” is the practice of manipulating
genes to produce desired changes in an organism.
Genetic information, encoded in the molecule DNA, tells
a growing organism’s cells what proteins to make when,
which determines the organism’s structure. In 2100, the
genomes of humans and many other plants and animals
have been thoroughly mapped. More importantly, the
protein-coding functions and synergistic relationships of
many genes are understood, though not all.

==Germline Genetic Engineering==
This involves engineering reproductive cells (seeds
in plants, eggs and sperm in animals) to alter, remove, or
insert selected genes. In a human or other higher animal,
the alterations mean the organism will be born with traits
it would not otherwise have had. Its genetic heritage –
its germ line – is changed. If it reproduces sexually,
it passes on some of its new gengineered traits to its
children; if it is cloned, it passes on all of them.

Since the 2050s, nanotechnology has brought
about a revolution in genetic engineering, permitting
the precise creation of designer organisms. Nanomachines
similar in concept to retroviruses (hence sometimes
called “nanoviruses”) are the main tools of
gengineering. They pass harmlessly through cell membranes,
can hijack cellular machinery using artificial
enzymes, and can carry and insert genetic material.
They communicate with each other via enzymes to
coordinate their operations. Nanoviruses perform two
main types of germline gengineering:

''Eugenic gengineering'', or eugeneering, involves
carefully selecting gene sequences already present within
a species’ genome, but which vary from individual to
individual. These might include genes governing simple
traits like eye color, or those leaving someone more or
less susceptible to a particular disease. Gene combinations
also code for various proteins that affect brain
chemistry, having subtle impacts on less tangible traits
such as intelligence and behavior. Through selecting
combinations of genes known to influence specific traits,
gengineers can create much the same effect as centuries
of animal breeding, but in a single generation. In 2100,
eugeneering aimed at fixing perceived faults (such as
poor eyesight or mental instability) is known as “genefixing.”
Eugeneering whose goal is a better-than-average
individual is known as “genetic enhancement” and the
product as a “genetic upgrade.”

''Species modification'' is more radical, but sometimes
easier due to its less subtle nature. As DNA
is a universal code, genes from one species can
be added to another, producing transgenic life
forms with traits from multiple species. Early 21stcentury
examples of transgenic entities included
bacteria modified with human genes to produce human
insulin for diabetics, and crops engineered for greater
resistance to pests. 2100-era species engineering can do
far more, blending genes from multiple species to produce
complex transgenic life forms such as waterbreathing
humans or talking dogs.

==Neogenesis==
This is the new frontier of genetic engineering.
Neogenesis involves the creation of original life forms.
A step up from cut-and-paste species engineering, it has
so far brought forth several simple creations morphologically
quite distinct from existing species. In addition to
various forms of bionanomachines and industrial bacteria,
these include exotics such as living bath mats, clothing,
and even buildings. Neogenesis gengineers are
studying Europan vent life and Titanian organic chemistry
in the hope of discovering unique insights into the
creation of life.

==Proteus Nanovirus==
Genetic engineering works on reproductive cells.
It is possible to alter the genetics of someone who has
already developed, but quite tricky, as many gene combinations
have already expressed themselves by creating
the parts their DNA told them to build, and then shut
themselves off.

A proteus nanovirus is a bionanomachine that can
take control of already-differentiated cells. At present, a
proteus is limited to making “soft” changes, affecting
skin cells, blood cells, genetic material, or the production
of specific proteins, rather than “hard” changes that
involve reshaping existing organ, muscle, or bone. However,
there are rumors of so-called “metamorphosis viruses”
under development that can produce more extensive
transformations, literally rebuilding a person.

Normal proteus nanoviruses can only survive in controlled
conditions and must be tailored for a particular
subject. However, some nanoviruses capable of general
application, and even spreading through contagion, have
been developed. Most are either very simple (e.g., skin
color) or quite unsafe, often making people sick or worse
in the process of changing them. Some military
nanoviruses are designed to cause massive cell death, or
afflict subjects with blindness, sterility, or a “hereditary”
disease. The most frightening use the majority of people
as carriers, spreading harmlessly until they find someone
with certain genetic markers, and then striking.

It is possible to acquire symbiotic “active shield”
nano to ward against nano attack, but so far only people
in exposed positions (soldiers, those especially at risk to
terrorists, etc.) routinely use such technology.

A more benign use of proteus nanotechnology is for
full-body cellular regeneration. This process is still fairly
new, hideously expensive, and risky, but it can repair
nearly any injury or restore the infirm to vigorous youth.

Genetic Engineering - Revision history

Ecb at 17:37, 26 July 2012

Ecb: /* Germline Genetic Engineering */

Ecb: Created page with '“Gengineering” is the practice of manipulating genes to produce desired changes in an organism. Genetic information, encoded in the molecule DNA, tells a growing organism’s…'