genetic engineering Flashcards
What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is the process of altering the genome of a living cell for medical, industrial, or agricultural purposes, resulting in a genetically modified organism (GMO).
What is a GMO?
an organism that has had its DNA altered, often by adding genes from another species.
What are transgenic animals?
Transgenic animals are animals with DNA from more than one species.
What are some uses of GMOs?
Breeding more productive crops or animals to produce more food.
Producing drugs or hormones (e.g., insulin) with fewer side effects and lower costs.
Gene therapy to treat diseases like brain tumors and cystic fibrosis.
What is recombinant DNA technology?
Recombinant DNA technology is a process used to create GMOs, such as manufacturing human insulin using E. coli bacteria. The process involves inserting a gene into a bacterium to produce a desired protein.
What are some advantages of genetically modified plants?
Pest resistance (plants are unattractive to insects).
Herbicide tolerance (plants can withstand herbicides used to kill weeds).
Disease resistance (plants are harder to infect with diseases).
Improved food quality (plants look better and are less damaged).
Cold tolerance (plants survive sudden temperature drops).
Drought or salinity tolerance (plants can grow in harsh conditions).
Nutritionally enhanced (e.g., adding vitamin A to rice).
What are some examples of genetically modified crops?
Rice and tobacco engineered for cold tolerance.
Rice with added vitamin A (Golden Rice).
Bananas and potatoes that incorporate vaccines.
What are the disadvantages of GMOs?
GMOs may contain harmful chemicals, such as glyphosate from herbicides.
GMOs are expensive, limiting their availability to rich countries.
The genetic modification process is complex and prone to error.
There has been no long-term safety testing.
Allergic reactions may occur from inserted genes
What are the potential benefits and risks of GMOs?
Potential benefits: GMOs could help solve food security issues and improve medical treatments.
Risks: There are concerns about safety, ethics, biodiversity loss, and unintended consequences of genetic modification.
