Re: can mutation be produced by changing DNA segments?

Hi there,
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!), the kind of genetic changes you
are thinking of are still in the realms of science fiction. While they make
good movies, the ideas in films like X-men and Spiderman are beyond current
science. However, modern science does use genetic manipulation to make
living things behave in new ways. For example, the human gene for insulin
was inserted into a common bacterium, which resulted in that bacterium
being able to make insulin. This is the most common source of insulin for
diabetics these days. 

Also, biotechnology companies add certain genes to plants to make them more
resistant to pests. There is a bacterium that makes a toxin that can kill
some insects. It's called Bt. The gene for Bt has been taken from the
bacterium, and added to the plant's DNA so that now the plant can make the
toxin. The insects that usually eat the plant will be killed by the toxin.

So, while those examples are less dramatic than gaining spider-like traits,
they do show that modern genetics has been able to add new DNA segments
(genes) to living things, to give new abilities.

I hope this helps answer the question.