Give an account of practical applications of genetic engineering.

Explanation

Application of Recombinant DNA Technology/Genetic Engineering.
1. Molecular Analysis of Diseases. DNA research has helped in understanding the molecular basis of diseases like sickle cell anaemia, thalassemias, etc.
2. Industrial Application. Enzymes synthesized by rDNA technology are used to produce sugars, cheese and detergents.
3. Evolution, DNA technique is of great use in joining several missing links in the evolution. This is done by amplifying the DNA of extinct animals.
4. Application to Forensic Medicine. rDNA tecnology has greatly helped to identify criminals. by DNA fingerprinting and settle the disputes of parenthood of children.
5. Agricultural Application. DNA technology is used for developing transgenic plants which resist drought and diseases and increase their productivity. It imporves quality of food.
6. Production of Proteins in Abundance. Using recombinant DNA technique several proteins have been produced in abundance for curing the diseases. These are insulin, growth hormone, interferons, vaccines, erythroprotein and blood clotting factors.
7. Application to Animals. It is used for developing test tube babies to overcome infertility and production of transgenic animals.
8. Gene Therapy. The genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia can be cured through gene therapy.
9. Laboratory Diagnostic Application. DNA technology makes the diagnosis of many diseases (e.g., AIDS) simple and quick.
10. Prenatal Diagnosis of Diseases. DNA collected from the amniotic fluid surrounding the foet us can be used for predicting the genetic diseases.