Introduction
Genetic engineering refers to the alteration of genetic make-up of an organism through the use of techniques to introduce a new DNA or eliminate a given hereditable material (Morgan 54). It involves manipulating the genetic make-up of an organism in order to come up with a more superior organism that can easily survive under the given environment where a normal organism may find it challenging. Although genetic engineering had existed before in breeding, 1972 is widely believed to be the time when scientists, such as Paul Berg, started making scientific researches on how genetic engineering can be used in other areas. According to Peacock (54), genetic engineering had existed before this period, especially in breeding. However, it was in the 1970s that the scientists started making tremendous steps in this field. Scientists such as James Watson, Francis Crick, Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer, Stanly Cohen, and Robert Swanson are some of the people who made positive impacts in the development of genetic engineering. At first, these scientists focused on coming up with organisms that were resistant to the new environmental forces. The focus was on coming up with better breeds of plants and animals that were resistant to the changing weather patterns. Then, genetically modified foods emerged as a solution to the changing climatic conditions. Although the issue of genetically modified foods has remained a highly controversial field, Stanley (41) says that scientists have made impressive steps in coming up with a scientific solution to the new problems caused by global warming around the world. Currently, genetic engineering is playing a critical role in the field of medicine. In this essay, the researcher will look at how genetic engineering can be used to manage diabetes.
Research question
When conducting the research, it is always important to develop specific research questions that will guide the process of data collection. Research questions help in defining the specific issues that the researcher seeks to uncover in order to respond to a given issue or address the gaps that exist in the body of languages. In this research, the following are the specific research questions that will guide the researcher when collecting data from the field.
- What is the role of genetic engineering in the management of diabetes?
- What are some of the historical records about how genetic engineering has been used to manage diabetes?
- How acceptable is genetic engineering as a means of managing diabetes?
- What is the future of diabetes in the management of diabetes?
The above research questions will define the kind of data that the researcher seeks to collect from the secondary sources.
The current knowledge about the genetic engineering
The current knowledge of the researcher about the topic is that genetic engineering is wide because it entails wide reading. Genetic engineering has offered solutions in the society, some of which have remained controversial. One area that has attracted the attention of the researcher is that of the genetically modified foods. The advancements in genetic engineering has made it possible for the researchers to come up with plants that are resistant to drought, pests, and other environmental challenges that may affect the development of normal plants. The yields from genetically modified foods are also more impressive than those that are not genetically modified. However, there have been reservations about the long-term effect of such foods in terms of health. The scientists, who are proponents of genetic engineering, have insisted that such foods do not pose any long-term effect on human beings or any other animal for that matter. However, there have been reservations among a section of scientists and some human rights activists, especially those with extreme religious beliefs.
There is an agreement among the scientists that since time immemorial, human beings and other animals have relied on organic plants with DNA that has not been altered. However, genetic engineering involves creation of organisms which have altered DNA, the fact that forms the basis of the controversy. There have been fears that consuming foods with altered DNA may have a long time effect on the DNA of human beings. As Tagliaferro (35) notes, there is a fear that this could lead to gene mutation in human beings or other changes in the genome that may lead to a change in the genetic structure of human beings. However, Peacock (77) says that such fears are unfounded and are largely based on rumors by those, who have personal or religious reservations against genetic engineering. With the emerging hope that genetic engineering offers in the treatment of diabetes, it is the right time for these controversies to be addressed so that the scientists involved in this area can have the moral authority to make advances in their researches.
Importance of understanding genetic engineering
In this section, the researcher will look at the relevance of gathering knowledge about genetic engineering as a student of health sciences. In this study, the focus is on diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that are diagnosed in many hospitals in this country almost on a daily basis. As mentioned above, it is unfortunate that most of the cases are always reported at advanced stages, making it difficult to find a lasting solution to these patients. The emergence of genetic engineering as a possible solution to this problem is something that is welcomed both by the patients and doctors. As a student who expects to deal with similar cases in the near future, gathering knowledge on this topic is very critical, especially given the fact that genetic engineering has raised controversies, some of which are yet to be adequately addressed. The researcher considers this to be a research gap that needs scientific research in order to give an appropriate response.
In order to address these gaps, the researcher will need to evaluate the issues that have been surrounding genetic engineering, especially when it comes to its medical aspect. This study is the first step towards developing a comprehensive research about the issue. According to Herring (50), some of the issues that have been raised about genetic engineering have more to do with beliefs and personal perceptions than hard facts gathered through scientific studies. However, it is worrying that some reputable scientists have joined the opponents of genetic engineering. This means that this is an issue that cannot be ignored. At this stage of research, however, the focus will be limited to understanding how genetic engineering can be used to treat diabetic patients, especially those at the advanced stages. To do this, it will be necessary to look at the past successes (or failures), the current state of affairs, and its future when it comes to treating diabetic patients.
Literature Review
The review of the literatures may help in determining the path that genetic engineering has taken as a medical solution for diabetes. Herring (50) says that the emergence of genetic engineering as a solution in managing diabetes is a relatively new knowledge to the researcher that will warrant further research. Kent (56) says that Type I diabetes- which is not the most common one- has been a cause of concern within the medical fraternity, especially when it is detected at an advanced stage. Lack of knowledge among the general public about how this disease can be detected at the earliest stage possible has been the major challenge. According to Manthappa (59), when detected at advanced stages, patients are forced to lead their entire lives under constant medication. This is an expensive process not only to the patient and his or her family, but also to the government. Ghalayini (64) says that this would require hiring of more medical practitioners, purchase of more medical equipment, and having the right systems that will be used by the patients. Genetic engineering offers a lasting solution to these patients. It will be important to investigate how genetic engineering is used to address the problem of diabetes.
According to Kumar and Garg (143), genetic engineering attracted the attention of medical researchers as attempts to use it in treating diabetes became promising. In the early 1990s, scientists gave a massive focus in gene therapy as a means that can help reverse severe immunodeficiency disorder. This involved modification of cells to make them resistant to the disease. The researchers went ahead to alter the cells in the bone marrow to help in improving the therapeutic outcomes during the medication process. However, Morgan (28) says that genetic engineering did not live to its promise during this period. The massive effort of the scientists either resulted in proposals that were either unviable economically, or ineffective in offering a lasting solution to this problem.
According to Brimicombe and Holman (43), researchers did not abandon the attempt to find a lasting solution to the diabetic patients despite the poor results that were obtained in the previous attempts. The concept of gene therapy was further advanced in order to find a way in which it could be used to treat diabetic patients. The breakthrough came with the advent of reverse hyperglycemia. This involved introducing pro-insulin gene into the cells in order to promote the normal production of insulin. According to Gulledge and Beard (67), the recent researchers have realized that the best way of using genetic engineering is to develop cells which are able to produce insulin response. The new cell that is introduced into the body of a diabetic patient should have the same effect as the cells responsible for the production of insulin in the body. As Manthappa (87) observes, these researchers realized that the best way would be to program the gut and pancreatic cells which are largely responsible for the production of insulin. Their aim was to have a cell that will be able to do the same function as the pancreatic and gut cells. According to Peacock (42), this will enable the normal production of insulin, which will facilitate the conversion of glucose without relying on any form of medication.
According to Sizer and Whitney (113), the use of gastrointestinal inhibitory peptide-promoters is successful in mice. It has been proven that mice makes positive response modification. It also boosts the responsiveness of the glucose within the body. However, the application of this technology requires further advancements beyond what is proved to be successful on mice. Manthappa (54) says that one of the major challenges that these researchers have been able to address is the rejection of the modified cells once introduced into the body. When the cell fails to perfectly match the body cells it mimicked, such as the pancreatic cells, then it will be considered a foreign material within the body system. The white blood cells will be released to destroy such cells as soon as it is detected. It took time to come up with mechanisms of developing a perfect match when creating a modified cell before it can be introduced into the body. However, Gulledge and Beard (78) note that although the expectations remain very high, genetic engineering as a solution to the problem of diabetes. This scholar believes that the controversy associated with genetic engineering is one of the main reasons why a breakthrough still remains a dream that is yet to be realized.
Conclusion
Genetic engineering has been beneficial in various other fields, especially in the field of agriculture. Medical researchers have been actively involved in studies aimed at enhancing gene therapy as a way of treating diabetes. As shown in the above discussion, gene therapy promises to offer a lasting solution in the fight against diabetes. However, this will largely depend on the ability of the stakeholders to address the existing controversies that have slowed the progress in this fight. As they struggle to make gene therapy work, these scientists need moral support from the society and fellow scientists. Any misunderstandings should be conclusively addressed before this new form of medication can be rolled out in hospitals.
Works Cited
Brimicombe, Moses, and John Holman. Advanced G Science. Walton-on-Thames: Nelson, 2007. Print.
Gulledge, Jo, and Shawn Beard. Diabetes Management: Clinical Pathways, Guidelines, and Patient Education. Gaithersburg, Md: Aspen Publishers, 2009. Print.
Herring, Mark. Genetic Engineering. Westport: Greenwood, 2006. Print.
Kumar, Anil, and Neha Garg. Genetic Engineering. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2006. Print.
Manthappa, Moen. How to Manage Your Diabetes and Lead a Normal Life. New Delhi: Peacock Books, 2008. Print.
Morgan, Sally. Genetic Engineering: The Facts. London: Evans Brothers, 2006. Print.
Peacock, Kathy W. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. New York: Facts on File, 2010. Print.
Peacock, Kathy. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. New York: Facts on File, 2010. Internet resource.
Sizer, Frances, and Eleanor Whitney. Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2012. Print.
Stanley, Debbie. Genetic Engineering: The Cloning Debate. New York: Rosen, 2011. Print.
Tagliaferro, Linda. Genetic Engineering: Progress of Peril? Minneapolis: Lerner, 2007. Print.
Kent, Michael. Advanced Biology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.
Ghalayini, Rita. Higher Level Biology: For Use with Th Ib. Amman: Fadi Issa, 2008. Print.