extreme gene manipulation has been used to modify bacteria that die if they get out of human control . instead of using traditional genetic engineering - which moves a gene from one organism to another - scientists have rewritten the language of genetics . the breakthrough is a potential step toward better management of genetically engineered organisms , including crops . extreme gene manipulation tools have been used to modify bacteria that die if they get out of human control . by . sophie borland . last updated at 6:25 pm on 1st november 2011 . doctors are having to be ordered to ensure the elderly do not go hungry or thirsty on nhs wards . the general medical council has drawn up new guidelines reminding them that their care does not begin and end with providing clinical treatment . they are urged to be ` guardians of patient safety ' and take the lead whenever there is a risk that dignity or comfort are being compromised . responsibilities : the general medical council has drawn up new guidelines to urge doctors to be ` guardians of patient safety ' . -lrb- picture posed by models -rrb- . but campaigners say it is ` very worrying ' that doctors need to be instructed about their basic duties such as ensuring patients are helped to eat , drink or go to the lavatory . there is growing concern that the elderly are routinely neglected in hospitals . earlier this month a highly critical report by the care quality commission watchdog found that half of hospitals were failing to ensure patients did not become malnourished or dehydrated . genetically altered microbes are used now in industry to produce fuels , medicines and other chemicals . the new technique might also reduce the risk of using them outdoors , such as for cleaning up toxic spills . scientists from harvard and yale introduced the new approach in two papers released this week by the journal nature . they modified the dna of the bacterium e. coli so that it ca n't survive without particular amino acids - the building blocks of proteins . instead of using traditional genetic engineering , which moves a gene from one organism to another , scientists have rewritten the language of genetics . the breakthrough is a potential step toward better management of genetically engineered organisms -- perhaps including crops . those amino acids are not found in nature , only in the lab . so if such a modified organism gets away from where humans supply the stuff , it will die . both teams built on a technique reported in october 2013 , when scientists successfully recoded the genome by making widespread changes to the dna of bacteria . that left the organisms ' ability to work intact but made them more resistant to viruses . in the study , they began with such a recoded bacteria and decided to give it a weakness . they made it dependent on a synthetic amino acid , not found in nature , that would have to be provided by researchers . if scientists stop supplying a particular unnatural amino acid synthesised in the laboratory , the bacteria died . the group grew a total of 1 trillion e. coli cells from various experiments , and after two weeks none had escaped . some patients were not given anything to drink for more than ten hours . on some wards inspectors saw patients banging their bed rails to try to attract attention of medical staff , and in many hospitals the elderly were routinely forced to undergo the indignity of using commodes next to their beds because staff were too busy to take them to the lavatory . the guidelines tell doctors they have a duty to take ` prompt action ' whenever there are ` problems with basic care for patients who are unable to drink , feed or clean themselves ' . a doctor found to be in breach of them could be hauled in front of a gmc panel and in extreme cases struck off . niall . dickson , chief executive of the gmc , said : ` the shocking neglect of . vulnerable and elderly patients revealed by recent reports shows that . during a press conference , ferren isaacs of yale and george church of harvard said they believed it would be possible , although challenging , to extend their technique to genetically modified crops . that could ease concerns about their spreading outside their designated fields . health professionals have to do more to ensure that every patient gets . the quality of care he or she should receive , and is treated with . respect . ` our current . guidance already sets out a doctor 's duty to raise concerns where they . feel that patient safety is at risk . we wanted to make it even clearer . that doctors have a leading role to take prompt action if they identify . problems . ` this applies not . and experts not connected with the work said they were impressed . the papers ` point the way towards putting -lrb- genetically modified organisms -rrb- on a very tight leash , one that is meant to be unbreakable , ' richard lenski of michigan state university , said in an email . karmella haynes , an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and synthetic biology at arizona state university , called the bacteria work ' a significant advance . ' she said it would be difficult to make it work with the more complex genetic machinery of crop plants . rina singh , senior director for policy of the biotechnology industry organisation , said the work is ` extremely useful ... this is some really good stuff . ' just to clinical care , but in making sure their patients are getting all . the help they need to eat , drink and wash . doctors have to be the . guardians of patient safety . ' while scientists have previously used ` suicide genes ' to control microbes , the new approach might be easier , she said . the . rules are to be added to the gmc 's good medical practice , a handbook . for doctors . they are included in a draft version published yesterday . which will be reviewed by senior doctors , healthcare workers and patient . groups before the final version is published next year . prompt action : a recent report found half of hospitals were failing to ensure patients were not becoming malnourished and dehydrated . -lrb- posed by models -rrb- . but joyce robbins of patient concern said : ` it 's terrifying that such guidance should be needed . what we would like to see is the gmc taking strict action against those doctors in charge of patients who are being neglected . ' katherine murphy , chief executive of the patients association , said such guidelines ` should be part of the norm ' . ` doctors should see a patient as a human and whatever their need they should be able to provide it , ' she said . ` it should be as much a doctor 's responsibility as any other member of staff . ` their duties go beyond clinical care and include dignity and respect . it 's surprising and worrying that doctors need to be reminded . ' the guidelines also urge gps to encourage patients to go back to work if they have been off sick for long periods . they state that they may have to ` encourage patients to stay in or return to employment or other purposeful activity ' . the daily mail has long called for an end to the neglect of patients in old age as part of our dignity for the elderly campaign . last year we launched a separate campaign with the patients association to highlight poor care on nhs wards . our coverage helped prompt the government to order the care quality commission to carry out spot-checks of hospitals to see if elderly were properly fed and treated with dignity .
half of hospitals failing to ensure patients were not becoming dehydrated or malnourished , report warns . doctors told they must become the ` guardians of patient safety ' victory for the daily mail 's long-running dignity for the elderly campaign .
extreme gene manipulation has been used to modify bacteria that die if they get out of human control . instead of using traditional genetic engineering - which moves a gene from one organism to another - scientists have rewritten the language of genetics . the breakthrough is a potential step toward better management of genetically engineered organisms , including crops . extreme gene manipulation tools have been used to modify bacteria that die if they get out of human control . by . sophie borland . last updated at 6:25 pm on 1st november 2011 . doctors are having to be ordered to ensure the elderly do not go hungry or thirsty on nhs wards . the general medical council has drawn up new guidelines reminding them that their care does not begin and end with providing clinical treatment . they are urged to be ` guardians of patient safety ' and take the lead whenever there is a risk that dignity or comfort are being compromised . responsibilities : the general medical council has drawn up new guidelines to urge doctors to be ` guardians of patient safety ' . -lrb- picture posed by models -rrb- . but campaigners say it is ` very worrying ' that doctors need to be instructed about their basic duties such as ensuring patients are helped to eat , drink or go to the lavatory . there is growing concern that the elderly are routinely neglected in hospitals . earlier this month a highly critical report by the care nature , that would have to be provided by researchers . if scientists stop supplying a particular unnatural amino acid synthesised in the laboratory , the bacteria died . the group grew a total of 1 trillion e. coli cells from various experiments , and after two weeks none had escaped . some patients were not given anything to drink for more than ten hours . on some wards inspectors saw patients banging their bed rails to try to attract attention of medical staff , and in many hospitals the elderly were routinely forced to undergo the indignity of using commodes next to their beds because staff were too busy to take them to the lavatory . the guidelines tell doctors they have a duty to take ` prompt action ' whenever there are ` problems with basic care for patients who are unable to drink , feed or clean themselves ' . a doctor found to be in breach of them could be hauled in front of a gmc panel and in extreme cases struck off . niall . dickson , chief executive of the gmc , said : ` the shocking neglect of . vulnerable and elderly patients revealed by recent reports shows that . during a press conference , ferren isaacs of yale and george church of harvard said they believed it would be possible , although challenging , to extend their technique to genetically modified crops . that could ease concerns about their spreading outside their designated fields . health professionals have ' to control microbes , the new approach might be easier , she said . the . rules are to be added to the gmc 's good medical practice , a handbook . for doctors . they are included in a draft version published yesterday . which will be reviewed by senior doctors , healthcare workers and patient . groups before the final version is published next year . prompt action : a recent report found half of hospitals were failing to ensure patients were not becoming malnourished and dehydrated . -lrb- posed by models -rrb- . but joyce robbins of patient concern said : ` it 's terrifying that such guidance should be needed . what we would like to see is the gmc taking strict action against those doctors in charge of patients who are being neglected . ' katherine murphy , chief executive of the patients association , said such guidelines ` should be part of the norm ' . ` doctors should see a patient as a human and whatever their need they should be able to provide it , ' she said . ` it should be as much a doctor 's responsibility as any other member of staff . ` their duties go beyond clinical care and include dignity and respect . it 's surprising and worrying that doctors need to be reminded . ' the guidelines also urge gps to encourage patients to go back to work if they have been off sick for long periods . they state that they may have to ` encourage patients to stay in or return to employment or other purposeful activity ' . the daily mail has long called for an end to the neglect of patients in old age as part of our dignity for the elderly campaign . last year we launched a separate campaign with the patients association to highlight poor care on nhs wards . our coverage helped prompt the government to order the care quality commission to carry out spot-checks of hospitals to see if elderly were properly fed and treated with dignity .
their care does not begin and end with providing clinical treatment . they are urged to be ` guardians of patient safety ' and take the lead whenever there is a risk that dignity or comfort are being compromised . responsibilities : the general medical council has drawn up new guidelines to urge doctors to be ` guardians of patient safety ' . -lrb- picture posed by models -rrb- . but campaigners say it is ` very worrying ' that doctors need to be instructed about their basic duties such as ensuring patients are helped to eat , drink or go to the lavatory . there is growing concern that the elderly are routinely neglected in hospitals . earlier this month a highly critical report by the care quality commission watchdog found that half of hospitals were failing to ensure patients did not become malnourished or dehydrated . genetically altered microbes are used now in industry to produce fuels , medicines and other chemicals . the new technique might also reduce the risk of using them outdoors , such as for cleaning up toxic spills . scientists from harvard and yale introduced the new approach in two papers released this week by the journal nature . they modified the dna of the bacterium e. coli so that it ca n't survive without particular amino acids - the building blocks of proteins . instead of using traditional genetic engineering , which moves a gene from one organism to another , scientists have rewritten the language of genetics nature , that would have to be provided by researchers . if scientists stop supplying a particular unnatural amino acid synthesised in the laboratory , the bacteria died . the group grew a total of 1 trillion e. coli cells from various experiments , and after two weeks none had escaped . some patients were not given anything to drink for more than ten hours . on some wards inspectors saw patients banging their bed rails to try to attract attention of medical staff , and in many hospitals the elderly were routinely forced to undergo the indignity of using commodes next to their beds because staff were too busy to take them to the lavatory . the guidelines tell doctors they have a duty to take ` prompt action ' whenever there are ` problems with basic care for patients who are unable to drink , feed or clean themselves ' . a doctor found to be in breach of them could be hauled in front of a gmc panel and in extreme cases struck off . niall . dickson , chief executive of the gmc , said : ` the shocking neglect of . vulnerable and elderly patients revealed by recent reports shows that . during a press conference , ferren isaacs of yale and george church of harvard said they believed it would be possible , although challenging , to extend their technique to genetically modified crops . that could ease concerns about their spreading outside their designated fields . health professionals have to do more to ensure that every patient gets . the quality of care he or she should receive , and is treated with . respect . ` our current . guidance already sets out a doctor 's duty to raise concerns where they . feel that patient safety is at risk . we wanted to make it even clearer . that doctors have a leading role to take prompt action if they identify . problems . ` this applies not . and experts not connected with the work said they were impressed . the papers ` point the way towards putting -lrb- genetically modified organisms -rrb- on a very tight leash , one that is meant to be unbreakable , ' richard lenski of michigan state university ' to control microbes , the new approach might be easier , she said . the . rules are to be added to the gmc 's good medical practice , a handbook . for doctors . they are included in a draft version published yesterday . which will be reviewed by senior doctors , healthcare workers and patient . groups before the final version is published next year . prompt action : a recent report found half of hospitals were failing to ensure patients were not becoming malnourished and dehydrated . -lrb- posed by models -rrb- . but joyce robbins of patient concern said : ` it 's terrifying that such guidance should be needed . what we would like to see is the gmc taking strict action against those doctors in charge of patients who are being neglected . ' katherine murphy , chief executive of the patients association , said such guidelines ` should be part of the norm ' . ` doctors should see a patient as a human and whatever their need they should be able to provide it , ' she said . ` it should be as much a doctor 's responsibility as any other member of staff . ` their duties go beyond clinical care and include dignity and respect . it 's surprising and worrying that doctors need to be reminded . ' the guidelines also urge gps to encourage patients to go back to work if they have been off sick for long periods . they state that they may have to ` encourage patients to stay in or return to employment or other purposeful activity ' . the daily mail has long called for an end to the neglect of patients in old age as part of our dignity for the elderly campaign . last year we launched a separate campaign with the patients association to highlight poor care on nhs wards . our coverage helped prompt the government to order the care quality commission to carry out spot-checks of hospitals to see if elderly were properly fed and treated with dignity .
extreme gene manipulation has modify bacteria that die if out human control. instead using traditional genetic engineering - moves rewritten the language genetics. the breakthrough is a potential step better management genetically engineered organisms, including crops. extreme gene manipulation tools have modify bacteria that die if out human control. by. sophie borland. last at on 1st november 2011. doctors are having be ordered ensure elderly do go thirsty on nhs wards. the general medical council has drawn reminding them their care does begin and providing clinical treatment. they urged be ` guardians patient safety ' take the lead whenever dignity comfort are. responsibilities : the general medical council has drawn urge be ` guardians. -lrb- picture posed models. but campaigners ` very worrying doctors need instructed their basic duties such ensuring helped eat, drink go there growing concern elderly routinely neglected. earlier a highly critical report the care quality commission watchdog half hospitals ensure did become. genetically altered microbes used now industry fuels, medicines other chemicals the new technique might also reduce using them outdoors, such for cleaning toxic spills scientists harvard yale introduced the new approach released the journal nature. they modified the dna of the bacterium e. coli so that ca n't survive without particular amino acids - the building blocks. instead using traditional genetic engineering, moves scientists rewritten the language genetics. the breakthrough is a potential step better management genetically engineered organisms -- perhaps including crops. those amino acids found nature, only the lab so if such a modified organism gets away where humans supply the stuff, die. both teams built on a technique reported october, when scientists successfully recoded by making widespread changes the dna bacteria. that left the organisms ' ability work intact but made them resistant viruses. in the study, they began such a recoded bacteria decided give a weakness. they made dependent a synthetic amino acid, not found nature that provided researchers. if scientists stop supplying a particular unnatural amino acid synthesised, the bacteria died. the group grew a total 1 trillion e. coli cells from various experiments, and after none had escaped. some patients not given anything for. on some wards inspectors saw patients banging their bed rails to attract of, in many hospitals elderly routinely forced undergo using commodes next because staff take the guidelines tell doctors take ` prompt action whenever ` problems basic care for who unable drink, feed a doctor found them could hauled front a gmc panel in extreme cases struck. niall. dickson, chief executive the gmc : ` the shocking neglect. vulnerable and elderly patients revealed recent reports shows. during, ferren isaacs of yale and george church of harvard said believed possible, although challenging extend their technique genetically modified crops that could ease concerns their spreading outside their designated fields. health professionals have to do every patient. the quality care he should, is treated. respect. ` our current. guidance already sets a doctor 's duty raise concerns where. feel that patient safety. we wanted even clearer. that doctors a leading role to take prompt action if identify. problems. ` this applies not. and experts not connected the work said impressed. the papers ` point towards putting -lrb- genetically modified organisms -rrb- a very tight leash, one meant ' richard lenski of michigan state university said in karmella haynes, an assistant professor synthetic arizona state university called the bacteria work ' a significant advance. ' she it would difficult make the more complex genetic machinery crop plants. rina singh, senior director policy of the biotechnology industry organisation, the work ` extremely useful... this. ' just to clinical care, but in making their patients all. the help they eat, drink wash. doctors have the. guardians patient safety. ' while scientists previously used ` suicide genes control microbes might easier, she the. rules are to added the gmc 's good medical practice, a handbook. for doctors. they included a draft version published yesterday. which will reviewed senior doctors, healthcare workers patient. groups before the final version next. prompt action : a recent report half hospitals ensure not becoming dehydrated. -lrb- posed models. but joyce robbins of patient concern said : ` it 's terrifying such guidance needed. what we would is gmc taking strict action those doctors in charge patients being neglected. ' katherine murphy, chief executive the patients association, said such guidelines ` part the norm ' ` doctors should see as and whatever their need they, ' she. ` it should as much a doctor 's responsibility staff. ` their duties go clinical care include dignity. it 's surprising and worrying doctors need reminded. ' the guidelines also urge gps encourage patients go back off. they state may ` encourage patients stay or return employment other purposeful activity '. the daily mail has long called the neglect patients old age as part our dignity for the elderly campaign. last year we launched a separate campaign with the patients association highlight poor care on nhs wards. our coverage helped prompt order the care quality commission carry spot-checks hospitals to elderly were properly fed treated with dignity.
nature , that would have to be provided by researchers . if scientists stop supplying a particular unnatural amino acid synthesised in the laboratory , the bacteria died . the group grew a total of 1 trillion e. coli cells from various experiments , and after two weeks none had escaped . some patients were not given anything to drink for more than ten hours . on some wards inspectors saw patients banging their bed rails to try to attract attention of medical staff , and in many hospitals the elderly were routinely forced to undergo the indignity of using commodes next to their beds because staff were too busy to take them to the lavatory . the guidelines tell doctors they have a duty to take ` prompt action ' whenever there are ` problems with basic care for patients who are unable to drink , feed or clean themselves ' . a doctor found to be in breach of them could be hauled in front of a gmc panel and in extreme cases struck off . niall . dickson , chief executive of the gmc , said : ` the shocking neglect of . vulnerable and elderly patients revealed by recent reports shows that . during a press conference , ferren isaacs of yale and george church of harvard said they believed it would be possible , although challenging , to extend their technique to genetically modified crops . that could ease concerns about their spreading outside their designated fields . health professionals have ' to control microbes , the new approach might be easier , she said . the . rules are to be added to the gmc 's good medical practice , a handbook . for doctors . they are included in a draft version published yesterday . which will be reviewed by senior doctors , healthcare workers and patient . groups before the final version is published next year . prompt action : a recent report found half of hospitals were failing to ensure patients were not becoming malnourished and dehydrated . -lrb- posed by models -rrb- . but joyce robbins of patient concern said : ` it 's terrifying that such guidance should be needed . what we would like to see is the gmc taking strict action against those doctors in charge of patients who are being neglected . ' katherine murphy , chief executive of the patients association , said such guidelines ` should be part of the norm ' . ` doctors should see a patient as a human and whatever their need they should be able to provide it , ' she said . ` it should be as much a doctor 's responsibility as any other member of staff . ` their duties go beyond clinical care and include dignity and respect . it 's surprising and worrying that doctors need to be reminded . ' the guidelines also urge gps to encourage patients to go back to work if they have been off sick for long periods . they state that they may have to ` encourage patients to stay in or return to employment or other purposeful activity ' . the daily mail has long called for an end to the neglect of patients in old age as part of our dignity for the elderly campaign . last year we launched a separate campaign with the patients association to highlight poor care on nhs wards . our coverage helped prompt the government to order the care quality commission to carry out spot-checks of hospitals to see if elderly were properly fed and treated with dignity .
 The text discusses the importance of providing proper care to elderly patients, particularly those who are vulnerable and neglected. It highlights the need for healthcare professionals to take prompt action when problems arise and to ensure that patients receive dignified treatment. The article also mentions the role of guidelines in improving patient care and reducing neglect. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of respecting patients' autonomy and dignity, especially in cases where they may not be able to drink or feed themselves. Overall, the text stresses the importance of prioritizing patient care and dignity, particularly among the elderly population.