Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering? (3)

Answer 1

• Genetic engineering is the direct modification of an organism’s genome, which is the list of specific traits (genes) stored in the DNA.

• Changing the genome enables engineers to give desirable properties to different organisms.

• Organisms created by genetic engineering are called genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Question 2

History of GMO

The 1980’s marked the scientific discovery that specific pieces of
DNA could be transferred from one organism to another. This became the basis of the genetic modification process.

SIX REVOLUTIONARY PERIODS:

Answer 2

1982: first transgemic animals (mice) produced

1983: the first transgenic plant, at tobacco plant resistant to antibiotics was created

1990: first transgenic cereal plants (maize and wheat)

1993: regulations for deliberate use of gmo

1994: Genetically engineered tomato marketed in USA

2004: genetically modified crops are being grown by 8.25 million farmers and 17 different countries

Question 3

• All genetic changes affect the protein synthesis of the organism.

• By changing which proteins are produced, genetic engineers can affect the overall traits of the organism.

Answer 3

Gmo process

Question 4

• Genetic modification can be completed by a number of different methods:

Answer 4

1. Inserting new genetic
   Cell
   material randomly or in
   DNA
   targeted locations
2. Direct replacement of genes (recombination)
3. Removal of genes
4. Mutation of existing
   Nucleus Chromosome
   genes
   Bacterial

Question 5

Gmo bacteria

Answer 5

Bacteria are the most common GMOs because their simple structure permits easy manipulation of their DNA.
One of the most interesting uses for genetically modified bacteria is the production of hydrocarbons (plastics and fuels) usually only found in fossil fuels.
- Cyanobacteria have been modified to produce plastic (polyethylene) and fuel (butanol) as byproducts of photosynthesis
- E. Coli bacteria have been modified to produce diesel fuel

Question 6

Engineering plants

Answer 6

How might genetic engineering modify plants to solve everyday problems?

(Consider world hunger, weather problems, insecticide pollution…)

1. To improve taste, shelf life and nutritional value, and to obtain products that prevent disease and disorders and have healing properties
2. To make the plant easier and less expensive to cultivate (disease and pest resistance, protection against cold, drought and frost, immunity to herbicides)
3. To obtain plants that produce pharmaceutical and other high-value substances
4. To obtain plants as alternative feedstocks for the production of biofuels

Question 7

Engineering
Animals

Answer 7

1. To render them suitable for the production of high-purity (human) proteins, in particular medicines

Herman the bull
Sheep and goat’s milk

2. To make them more suitable as organ donors for xenotransplantation (transplantation of animal organ to humans;
3. To obtain better farm and domestic animals and fish

Featherless chicken
AquAdvantage samon
Hypoallergenic cats
Glow in the dark animals

Question 8

In humans

Answer 8

1. To diagnose, treat or cure diseases

Modited DNA injected
Genetic testing
Gene therapy using an adenovirus vector
Gene therapy

2. Aids in forensic investigations

DNA fingerprinting

Could Spiderman Be Real?
Done

Web-Producing
Goats
Spider genes in goats enable the production of spider silk in goat milk

Question 9

GMO
Concerns

Answer 9

What are some concerns regarding genetically modified foods and animals?

• Risk to human health; unsafe to eat
• Harm to the environment and wildlife
• Increased pesticide and herbicide use
• Seed and pollen drift
• What about genetic engineering in humans?

Nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the countries in the European Union, have enacted significant restrictions or full bans on the production and sale of genetically modified organism food products, and 64 countries now have GMO labeling requirements.