Dear Hah,
Genetic manipulation, also called "genetic engineering" is the
"Scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a
living organism." This could apply to animals (including humans) or
plants.
The animal activism site Cruel Science explains:
"Genetic manipulation refers to the creation of new life forms through
deliberate modification of DNA??the material responsible for inherited
characteristics. Animals born following the introduction of a gene
from another species are known as ?transgenic,? whereas animals born
with a missing gene are termed ?knockouts.? The first animal to be
genetically manipulated was a giant mouse??created nearly 20 years
ago??with the gene for human growth hormone incorporated into the
genetic makeup. Since then, genetic manipulation has become big
business, and has led to the creation of ?designer? mice, rats, fish,
pigs, sheep, cows, goats, chickens, rabbits, and even monkeys."
(SOURCE: Cruel Science, "Genetic Manipulation",
<http://www.cruelscience.ca/research-gm.htm>). The rest of the article
in this link is also very good in understanding what is genetic
manipulation, although you have to keep in mind that the writers have
an agenda here: against manipulation and experiments.
As you can see, this is a very controversial issues, and governments
and organisations have all needed to set a policy on the matter. See
for example the guidlines at :
Scottish Agricultural College - Genetic Manipulation of Animals: An
SAC Policy Paper
<http://www1.sac.ac.uk/info/External/Publications/GMAnimals.asp>
Further Reading
===============
The site Answers.com includes several definitions of genetic
engineering from encyclopaedias:
Answers.com: Genetic Manipulation (redirect to genetic engineering)
<http://www.answers.com/genetic+manipulation&r=67>
Read papers and opinions on the subject:
"Genetic Manipulation in Animals: ADVANCED TRANSGENESIS and CLONING --
Workshop FORUM"
<http://www.atp.nist.gov/atc/atc_hp.htm>
Read the e-Book:
Human Molecular Genetics 2
(Ch. 21: 21. Genetic manipulation of animals)
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hmg.section.2703>
I hope this answered your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. My search terms have
been:
[genetic manipulation + animals] |
