What are some genetic engineering success stories?

One success story is gene therapy for certain genetic diseases like ADA - SCID (Adenosine Deaminase - Severe Combined Immunodeficiency). By inserting a functional copy of the ADA gene into patients' cells, it has helped some individuals develop a normal immune system. Another is the use of genetic engineering in agriculture to create crops with enhanced nutritional value, such as Golden Rice which has been genetically modified to produce beta - carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.

The treatment of cystic fibrosis is a great success. Through genetic engineering, researchers have been working on ways to correct the faulty gene that causes this disease. They have developed gene - based therapies that target the specific genetic defect in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients, which has led to improved lung function in some cases.

One genetic engineering horror story is the idea of creating 'designer babies' gone wrong. If genetic engineering is misused to select for extreme traits like super intelligence or extreme physical strength in an unethical way, it could lead to a society divided into the 'genetically elite' and the 'natural' ones. This could cause social unrest and discrimination.

Genetic engineering has also been successful in the area of tissue engineering. Scientists have been able to genetically modify cells to grow into specific tissues. For example, they can engineer skin cells to grow into sheets of healthy skin for burn victims. This reduces the need for traditional skin grafts and improves the quality of life for those patients.

Another one is the engineering of bacteria to clean up oil spills. Scientists have modified bacteria so that they can break down hydrocarbons found in oil more efficiently. These engineered bacteria can be used in environmental remediation projects to clean up polluted areas more quickly than natural processes would allow.

Well, there have been concerns about genetic engineering in medicine going wrong. For instance, in some cases where gene therapies were being tested, patients developed severe immune reactions that were not predicted. It's like the body was fighting against the very thing that was supposed to heal it. And then there are stories of genetic engineering being used for unethical purposes, like creating 'designer babies' with enhanced physical or mental traits at the expense of other important aspects of human nature.

A real - life story of genetic engineering is the creation of golden rice. Golden rice is genetically modified to contain beta - carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A. This is very important for regions where people have a deficiency in vitamin A.

One engineering success story is the Burj Khalifa. It is the tallest building in the world. Engineers overcame numerous challenges such as high - wind forces, extreme temperatures, and the need to transport building materials to great heights. Another is the Panama Canal expansion. It enhanced global trade by allowing larger ships to pass through, involving complex engineering in terms of excavation, lock construction, and water management. The Hoover Dam is also a great example. It provides hydroelectric power, water storage, and flood control for a large area.

In the medical field, the success of using genetic engineering for organ transplantation is notable. Scientists are working on genetically engineering pigs so that their organs can be used for human transplantation without being rejected by the human immune system. This could potentially solve the shortage of human organs for transplantation. Also, the development of monoclonal antibodies through genetic engineering has revolutionized cancer treatment. These antibodies can specifically target cancer cells and are used in various cancer therapies.

One success story is Airbnb's data engineering. They were able to handle huge amounts of data related to property listings, user bookings, and reviews. By building an efficient data pipeline, they could provide accurate search results and personalized recommendations to users. This significantly enhanced the user experience and led to increased bookings.