B1 Cont.

Question 1

What is Genetic engineering ?

Answer 1

It is modifying the genome of an organism to introduce desirable characteristics

Question 2

Steps of genetic engineering

Answer 2

1) Enzymes are used to isolate the gene, which is then replicated
2)the gene is inserted into a vector e.g. a virus bacterial plasmid
3) The vector virus or plasmid is used to insert the gene into cells.
4 Modified cells (that have taken up the gene are selected.

Question 3

What can genetic testing be used for ?

Answer 3

-Can help identify alleles associated with diseases
-it can be tested in adult,children,foetus and embryos
-can be used to assess the risk of adults passing alleles to their offspring
-can also help the doctors prescribe drugs to a patient by testing the alleles how effective the drugs is on their body

Question 4

Risk and benefit of genetic testing?

Answer 4

Risk
-miscarriages
-false positives or negatives

Benefits
-family planning
-health care

Question 5

Risk and uses of genetic engineering

Answer 5

Uses
-Crops that are resistant to diseases -Improvement of crop vields (more
crops for less money)
-Making crops more nutritious (e.g
golden rice

Risk
Possible spread of inserted genes to other organisms e.g. a herbicide-resistance gene getting
Into other plants, creating superweeds
• unknown effects of GM crops on human health