Genetic engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

• Involves transferring the gene that codes for a desirable characteristic to another organism so that it develops the desirable trait

Question 2

Give some examples of GM organisms

Answer 2

• Bacteria: modified to produce insuilin
• Crops: modified to increase size and quality of fruits and to develop resistance against diseases

Question 3

Explain gene therapy

Answer 3

• Used to treat inherited disorders
• Giving a person the healthy version of a gene
• Difficult to do as the faulty gene in ALL cells must be replaced. Combatted by replacing gene at an early stage so cell divides with healthy gene

Question 4

Disadvantages of GM crops

Answer 4

• Don’t know how GM crops may affect health as there is no proof to say that they are 100% safe
• Could potentially outcompete plants in wild

Question 5

Explain the process of genetic modification of an organism

Answer 5

• Gene that we want is isolated using enzymes
• Gene is inserted inside vector (plasmid or virus)
• Vector is inserted inside organism which will develop with desired trait