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You're not addressing the point. You are just describing protein syntheses and comparing it to a computer program. >the deliberate modification of the characte
by 99_00 6y ago
You're not addressing the point. You are just describing protein syntheses and comparing it to a computer program.
>the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.
Is mRNA genetic material?
If yes, then is adding mRNA manipulating the organisms genetic material?
Is a process that puts foreign mRNA into people's cells deliberate modification of an organism?
- dragonwriter 6y ago> Is mRNA genetic material? No, genes—well, in humans—are DNA. (RNA viruses and retroviruses have RNA genes.) mRNA is, somewhat simplistically, a message format between genetic material and protein synthesis machinery. It has a short lifespan, so adding it has no lasting effect of the type that would come from genetic change.
- yellowapple 6y ago> You're not addressing the point. I feel like I've addressed it pretty thoroughly. Let's try again: > Is mRNA genetic material? As far as eukaryotes (like all animals, plants, etc. - including humans) and most prokaryotes are concerned: no, it is not. mRNA - per above - is a temporary copy of genetic material, not genetic material itself. > If yes, then is adding mRNA manipulating the organisms genetic material? No, because the organism's actual genetic material - i.e. the DNA in the cell nuclei - remains untouched. > Is a process that puts foreign mRNA into people's cells deliberate modification of an organism? Not in and of itself, no, because merely providing some arbitrary mRNA doesn't necessarily modify the organism itself - and especially not permanently - because (again) the underlying DNA is not modified.
- 99_00 6y agoThank you, that clears the question for me.