Monday, May 6, 2002		The world of  dot.com

GENETIC engineering (GE) is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of a living organism. DNA is the blueprint for the individuality of an organism. The organism relies upon the information stored in its DNA for the management of every biochemical process. The life, growth and unique features of the organism depend on its DNA. Change in DNA results in change in every aspect of the organism.

This Website provides links to the information of sequencing and mapping of the entire human genome with mapping technologies. Methods and problems encountered while engineering (manipulating) genes are also mentioned. It contains GE science fiction movies and TV shows. A catalog of paper books and multimedia CD-ROM about genetics and GE is presented which you can buy from amazon.com. Quotations related to genetics and a collection of audio-video resources from various Websites is available. The site contains lectures of scientists and introduces their websites for getting more information. A biotech lexicon is also available here. Role of GE in healing diseases and GE versus religion, ethics and negative effects on the mankind are discussed. The role of genetics in development of language, melody and language learning by children can be read. Some ready to download shareware, freeware and demo software related to GE for Macintosh and MS Windows are available for students.

The non-profit Human Cloning Foundation started this Website in February 1998. It exists to promote human cloning and other forms of biotechnology. Cloning technology can be used to cure diseases and prolong life. The HCF believes that blood can be cloned, organs can be cloned, and that infertility can be cured with the use of this new technology. It is hoped that cloning will help unlock the secrets of cancer and lead to its cure. Cloning should lead to remarkable advances in cosmetic and plastic surgery, as well as anti-aging therapies and other forms of rejuvenation. The Website has message boards and chat rooms. It includes help for students and help for infertile couples. You can read essays published by various persons & even publish your own research work or opinion about human cloning.

Genetically-engineered foods contain substances that have never been a part of the human food supply. They are not subjected to rigorous pre-market safety testing. Is genetic engineering safe for you and your family? Safe for the environment? Safe for the future of mankind? These are some of the dangerous problems the safe-food campaign wants to discuss with people. It wants to make mandatory labelling of genetic engineered food. Views of various scientists are published about survival of genetically engineered organisms and their effects on environment. It includes food-chain toxicity danger of cross-pollination of GE plant with a natural plant and gene pollution. Claims made by pro-GE people are proved wrong by logics and facts.

Genetic Engineering News (GEN) was introduced in 1981. It is a widely read publication in the biotechnology field. GEN covers the industrial biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, agricultural, chemical, enzyme, and environmental markets from applied research through commercialisation. GEN is the source for news on biotechnology, bioresearch and technology transfer. In addition to news and feature articles, each issue of GEN includes tutorials, new products, clinical trials update and university gene beat. The website introduces life sciences as a dominant industry in the 21st century. GEN plays an important role in organizing and sponsoring many important conferences and symposia.

 — Sarabjeet Singh Kanwal