Genetically Altered facts

While investigating facts about Genetically Altered Mosquitoes and Genetically Altered Animals, I found out little known, but curios details like:

Scientists kept a species of fruit fly in complete darkness for 57 years (1400 generations), showing genetic alterations that occur as a result of environmental conditions.

how has a watermelon been genetically altered?

Scientists have genetically altered chickens to express DNA that their dinosaur ancestors once possessed. Eventually, they grew teeth.

What does genetically altered mean?

In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering overtime what can the genetically altered cells do. Here are 22 of the best facts about Genetically Altered Food and Genetically Altered Crops I managed to collect.

what are genetically altered plants called?

1. According to the study of Epigenetics, what your grandparents ate for lunch decades before you were even conceived may have altered the genetic material that makes you who you are today.

2. About a theory on human’s relationship with mind-altering-substances like the DMT. It asserts that in order for our body to even be able to interact with some of these chemical compounds, our genetics must have been interacting with them for a really long time.

3. Biotechnology does have its critics, as there is currently a movement to ban and avoid genetically modified foods grown through genetically altered agriculture.

4. Besides selective breeding, new varieties of corn are produced via genetic engineering. Scientists can alter color and the size of kernels, improve nutritional value and develop varieties that are resistant to pests, herbicides and drought.

5. Scientists created genetically altered type of rice that contains beta-carotene. This type of rice is golden in color. Goal of this project is to prevent vitamin deficiency in areas with low level of vitamin A in diet.

6. Spears can be green, white or purple. White spears grow below the ground, without exposure to the sunlight (which is essential for the activation of pigments in the plant). Purple variety is artificially created (genetically altered asparagus), but it changes the color into green during the cooking.

7. A labeling system was implemented in the US that requires genetically altered produce to be labeled as such.

8. A Tobacco company developed a genetically modified strain of tobacco in the 90's that contained double the amount of nicotine. The company initially denied altering the nicotine levels but eventually admitted blending the strain with their brands

9. "Gene Drive" is a genetic engineering technology that could be used to artificially alter the genetic make up of entire populations within several generations (depending on how it is deployed).

10. The majority of factory farmed animals are genetically modified. This means their genes have been altered to help them grow larger. In some cases, often with chickens, they grow so big that their legs can"t support their weight. These animals will often suffer because they can no longer reach food or water.

Why genetic variation important for evolution?

You can easily fact check why genetic variation is useful by examining the linked well-known sources.

Inuit people have evolved a rare genetic adaptation that assists them in surviving on a high protein diet, which includes as a side effect, causing an altered level of consciousness due to improper liver function.

In 2006, an unsactioned McDonald's Videogame was released as a parody of the company’s business practices. In the game, the player is a McDonald's CEO, choosing whether or not to use practices like genetically altered cow feed, plowing over rainforests, and corrupting public officials. - source

The Black Death was so devestating it altered European genetics - source

Researchers have for the first time genetically altered mosquitoes in a way that renders them completely immune to the malaria-causing parasite for which they usually act as a vector. One day they hope to replace all wild mosquitoes on Earth with these lab-bred malaria-resistant ones.

Our genetics can alter depending on environmental experiences & those changes can be passed down to offspring - source

Genetic drift produces variation for evolution when?

Some people are genetically more prone to cavities: genetics can alter the pH of a person's saliva, with lower pH values resulting in more cavities.

How are genetically altered crops beneficial to society?

BioSteel is ‘spider silk’ extracted from genetically altered goat’s milk, & is 7-10 times as strong as steel by weight, & can stretch up to 20 times its unaltered size without losing its strength.

The Pentagon has entertained the idea of using a virus "vaccine" that will alter the genetic expression of religious fanatics in the middle east [leaked pentagon footage].

Octopuses can regularly alter their own genetic code (which is much more complex than humans'). This may lend support to the concept of panspermia - that some forms of life's DNA and RNA coding originated off of Earth, and traveled here via interstellar organic molecules.

Genetically Altered Bacteria Helps You Lose Fat by Suppressing Appetite