America 1980-1989: Medicine and Health Research Article from American Decades

This Study Guide consists of approximately 103 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of America 1980-1989.
Encyclopedia Article

America 1980-1989: Medicine and Health Research Article from American Decades

This Study Guide consists of approximately 103 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of America 1980-1989.
This section contains 1,234 words
(approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the America 1980-1989: Medicine and Health Encyclopedia Article

A Powerful and Awesome Skill.

In 1982 scientists took the gene that produces human insulin and inserted it into E. coli, a microorganism that lives in intestines. Genetic engineering, "the most powerful and awesome skill acquired by man since the splitting of the atom," had harnessed the hereditary mechanisms of bacteria. Genetic engineers manipulated bacterial genes in an effort to produce new medicines and cures for human diseases. These bacterial microorganisms became capable of manufacturing human insulin for diabetics, human growth hormone for dwarfism, and the antiviral-anticancer drug interferon. Also known as "gene splicing" and "recombinant DNA," genetic engineering showed promise for producing important new vaccines and even safer older vaccines. There were hopes that the quality of life could be improved by manipulating human genes once the complete set of genetic instructions on human DNA (called the human genome) was mapped.

Recombinant DNA and Medicine.

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This section contains 1,234 words
(approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the America 1980-1989: Medicine and Health Encyclopedia Article
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America 1980-1989: Medicine and Health from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.