Genetic engineering
DNA and RNA are two nucleic acids that contain and transmit genetic
information in living organisms.
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, contains all the genetic information necessary for
life, while RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is responsible for protein synthesis.
DNA has a double helix structure, whereas RNA usually has a single strand. DNA
contains deoxyribose and thymine, while RNA contains ribose and uracil.
The discovery of DNA and RNA revolutionized biology and medicine because
scientists understood how genetic information is stored and transmitted.
An important application is genetic engineering, which is the modification of
DNA to improve organisms or correct genetic defects.
Genetic engineering led to the creation of GMOs, genetically modified organisms.
In agriculture they can resist diseases and produce more food. In medicine,
genetically modified bacteria are used to produce insulin, vaccines and
medicines.
Another important application is cloning, the creation of a genetically identical
copy of an organism. A famous example is Dolly the sheep, cloned in 1996.
Gene therapy is used to treat genetic diseases by replacing defective genes with
healthy ones.
RNA technology became very important during the Covid-19 pandemic because
mRNA vaccines helped protect people from the virus.
Finally, the Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, mapped all human
genes and improved our knowledge of genetics.
