Genetically modified animals
Here are some ways they are important:
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is the process where scientists can modify (engineer) the genetics of an organism to make it better. For example, scientists can change the genes of chickens so they could have a stronger and healthier life-style in order for producers to sell more of them." The better the product, the higher the quality". One reason scientists use these methods of engineering is because they want to understand how nature's organisms work because they are so complicated. They are so complex because all animals are different and function differently. For instance, scientists ask themselves: why cats meow and dogs bark, or why fish don't close their eyes, or why birds have wings-ect..? If scientists re-build(replicate-prototype) these animals, they could potentially figure out why they function the way they do. Another reason people look into this is because these genetically modified animals can help humans better. For instance, look back at the chicken example i gave, another example could be if cows can be more disease-resistant and produce fresher and healthier milk. Basically,what i'm trying to say; these animals are more efficient then what they were like before, like a superhero is better than a human. There are many different ways these organisms can help humans; they can fight off diseases, and even help humans try to stop their own problems in society like pollution or carbon dioxide. Speaking of this, scientists have found a way to make and design their own organisms. They have to replicate the DNA of an organism since DNA is the blueprint of all life. Then they use DNA with simple chemicals to create their new organism. These "home made" organisms can fight off pollution and help meet human standards. The reason i'm not going into much depth with this topic of newer synthetic organisms is because it takes a lot of work to make a new synthetic species. Billions of dollars are needed and lots of studious research and effort are needed ethically. If a scientist screws up, they can create species that can harm the environment. I will get to safety topic in a second... Something i didn't mention; if scientists were to create a new organism, they would have to use computer drafting (engineers) to exactly breakdown every part of that organism. It's kinda like the first car being drafted out and every subsystem needed to work properly when ready to ship. Now to the safety part, if a scientist messes up even slightly with a "subsystem"(car example), they can impact society and nature with their new organism. Scientists have to be highly trained in order to work with these kinds of procedures to make them as accurate as possible. As a result, This is how synthetic organisms work and why they are important to our world! One day they will probably be considered"the next generation of organisms."