Genetic Engineering

 Genetic Engineering

            Biopsychologists are progressively utilizing genetic engineering techniques to modify genes.  The benefits of such research are, (a) to prevent life threatening and incurable disease, (b) produce better medicines and drugs, (c) slow the aging process, (d) produce designer babies, (e) create super-humans, and (f) clone individuals (Baxamusa, 2012).  In effort to carry out this research, modern genetic methods such as gene knockout and gene replacement are employed.  Gene knockout refers to a technique in which a particular gene is deleted from the organism created for examination.  This enables researchers to comprehend the neural causes of behavior.  Gene replacement is defined as a process in which one gene replaces another.  This technique may pinpoint defective genes or modify genetic reactions (Pinel, 2011).  Although these techniques are useful, the interpretation of the research may be challenging.  “It may be tempting to think that each behavior is controlled by a single gene, but the reality is much more complex.  Each behavior is controlled by many genes interacting with one another and with experience” (Pinel, 2011, p. 117).  While these methods are difficult to deduce, they are increasingly employed in biopsychological research.

        

References:

Baxamusa, B.N. (2012). Genetic Engineering in Humans. Retrieved from

            http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetic-engineering-in-humans.html.

Pinel, J.P.J. (2011). Biopsychology (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.