As biotechnology has improved, scientists are able to look more closely at DNA, the molecules that hold genetic instructions for development, reproduction, and functioning. The ability to study DNA closely allows scientists to find evidence of genetic mutation and better understand the effects of these changes. Think about how genetic mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or cause no change at all.

Any change in the sequence of DNA of an organism is termed as mutation. Mutations can occur naturally as well as can be induced. Mutations can be either harmful or useful to organisms or they might have no effect.

Genetic mutations can be harmful:

Genetic mutations can be harmful in a number of ways. They can cause wrong proteins to be made and even might result in the activation of oncogenes developing cancer. An example of harmful mutation is the disease sickle - cell anemia. This type of mutation causes the structure of hemoglobin to change and hence, hemoglobin is unable to perform its function.

Genetic mutations can be useful:

Genetic mutations can be useful in a number of ways. For example, mutations over a period of time has led the humans to have trichromatic vision i. e they can separate between red, blue and green.

Genetic mutations bring genetic variations which are very important in an healthy ecosystem.

Genetic mutations can cause no change at all:

There will be circumstances when a mutation will not have any effect on an organism. For example, if a mutation occurs in the non - coding region of the DNA, then it will be neither beneficial nor harmful to the organism.