Category Archives: Transhuman News

Genetic engineering was one of the greatest breakthroughs in recent history that has immensely helped mankind, according to Harikrishna Ramaprasad Saripalli, Associate Professor at Aksum University in Ethiopia.

Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala Department of Zoology organised a lecture on Genetic Engineering and Cell Culturing-Animal Science Perspectives here on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Harikrishna said that there were many advantages of genetic engineering. Diseases could be prevented by detecting people or animals that were genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases and preparing for the inevitable.

Genetic engineering, a technique used to manipulate genes, makes human bodies better, and has the capacity to make disease a history, he said.

Animals and plants can be tailor made to show desirable characteristics. The genetic engineering would bring novelty. Another advantage of genetic engineering is that animals and plants can be made to have desirable characteristics which could help solve some of the worlds problems. The underlining principle behind every research and novelty should be aimed at solving the problem faced by the people, he said.

All these techniques and technologies should be used for the betterment of society. If a vaccine for diseases like polio was found, it should be used for the community. Otherwise there was a danger that commercial motives behind research may bring an end to community itself, he felt.

Mr. Harikrishna said that the students would excel in the field of life sciences only if they love their subject. There were plenty of job and research opportunities in the field of genetic engineering. Every country, including India, was focusing on research and development in genetic engineering. The only quality that a student should have was determination, dedication and love to the subject, he added.

College Principal T. Vijaya Lakshmi and Department of Zoology Head Uma also spoke.

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Genetic engineering can prevent diseases, says expert

Cotton research institute to write to GEAC for allowing refuge in bag cottonseeds

Chennai, September 10:

Nagpur-based Central Institute for Cotton Research will soon write to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to allow sale of refuge in bag (RIB) cottonseeds that will have Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) variety along with non-Bt.

A process such as RIB will ensure that pests present on a farm growing genetically modified crop like cotton and corn do not develop resistance to the Bt gene that destroys them.

We have conducted tests of RIB seeds for the last three years and the results are promising. We are now preparing the data on the results. Once we prepare them, we will write to GEAC, said KR Kranthi, director of the research institute. While the Bt variety will make up 95 per cent of the RIB cottonseeds, the non-Bt one will comprise the rest.

While cultivating genetically-modified crops, it is mandatory for farmers to grow refuge or a non-GM trait of the same crop in five per cent of the area. In India, while selling Bt cottonseeds, seed companies provide the non-Bt refuge seeds along with them in a separate packet.

The objective of the RIB concept is to make growers comply with norms for growing genetically modified crop and, in turn, make the process simpler.

Growing a refuge crop in the field of a Bt crop is based on the law of genetics. If a pest develops resistance to the Bt gene, then the non-Bt plant grown on the same farm will help tackle the problem. The principle is simple: the pest from the Bt plant will mate with a similar one from the non-Bt plant and develop a progeny that will not be resistant to the Bt gene.

Since farmers are oblivious to the dangers of growing just Bt cotton, they throw away the non-Bt seeds. Some farmers do it to get returns from the Bt variety as it will fetch them more money, said an official with a seed firm.

DuPont Pioneer came out with such a concept for Bt corn first, while Monsanto has developed a similar concept for Bt cotton. US companies have been developing the RIB concept for a number of years now. In India, we proposed it to the CICR and are awaiting further details from them, said a Monsanto spokesperson. During a meeting among stakeholders of Bt cotton, Monsanto floated the idea. We at the CICR told them that we would also like to test the RIB process, said Kranthi.

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An RIB solution to make pests non-resistant to Bt gene

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

10-Sep-2014

Contact: Melanie Scharler 917-340-6492 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News @LiebertOnline

(New Rochelle, New York) September 10, 2014 - Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., leading publisher of over 80 science, technology, and medical publications, announced today the launch of first time hard cover title Inevitable Collision: The Inspiring Story that Brought Stem Cell Research to Conservative America, in an effort to bring awareness to the growing conversation and debate surrounding stem cell research and regenerative medicine.

Written by Tory Williams, author, advocate, mom, and co-founder of the Alabama Institute of Medicine (AIM), Inevitable Collision is a human-interest story that details the controversial Geron Trial, the first human embryonic stem cell trial for patients with paralysis, and thoughtfully documents the first and fifth patients, TJ Atchison and Katie Sharify. The book features provocative conversations with doctors, medical researchers, and scientists including Dr. Hans Keirstead, the famous scientist whose groundbreaking research helped rats to overcome paralysis through stem cell treatments and introduced the therapy to humans, and helps inform the public conversation by presenting the facts and opportunities surrounding stem cell research and therapy.

"Tory's personal journey of advocacy, perseverance, and commitment to the advance-ment of stem cell research and its application is an important and relevant testament to the stem cell conversation at large," said Mary Ann Liebert, president and CEO of the company that bears her name. "Inevitable Collision will strongly resonate with the six million Americans suffering from paralysis, a quarter of which are the result of a spinal cord injury. In a very readable and compelling style, Williams has brought the much needed human voice to the oftentimes controversial and misunderstood topic of stem cell technology. It is an important read for the public, legislators, and patients and their families, as well as for researchers and members of the health care community. This book will make a difference!"

Compared to the narrative and journalistic writing style of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Inevitable Collision explains in reader-friendly terms how stem cells work, and why they are considered important tools in finding a cure for paralysis and other disabilities. The book also details author Tory Williams' physical and emotional struggles while raising funding and public awareness surrounding embryonic stem cell research across the nation.

"Through this book I hope to bridge the gap between science and religion and raise awareness of the importance and power of stem cell research," said Tory Williams. "This book is intended not only for patients who suffer from paralysis and diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's, but for everyone affected by these afflictions, directly and indirectly."

The launch comes on the heels of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's (CIRM) recent announcement green lighting the follow-up phase to the Geron clinical trial as approved by the FDA.

Inevitable Collision's 208 pages plus 8-page photo spread retails at $21.95 for the hard-back and $9.99 for the e-book and includes an afterword written by Roman Reed, a tire-less patient advocate who was paralyzed from a sports injury 20 years ago. Roman is the Founder of the Roman Reed Foundation and Roman's Law, which was the impetus for California's groundbreaking stem cell program.

Originally posted here:
Tory Williams combats controversy surrounding stem cell therapy with new book