Genetic Engineering Flashcards
How does genetic engineering work?
A useful gene is cut from one organism chromosomes using enzymes
Enzymes are then used to cut another organisms chromosomes to then insert the useful gene
What’s an example of genetic engineering being used?
Scientists insert the human insulin gene into bacteria to produce human insulin
What can be done to crops to make them more useful?
They can be genetically modified to make them resistant to viruses, insects and herbicides
How have sheep been genetically modified?
They have been engineered to produce substances like drugs in their milk that can be used to treat human disease
What is gene therapy?
When genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis that are caused by faulty genes so scientists are trying to treat this disorders by inserting working genes into sufferers
What is a positive of genetic engineering?
It has the potential to solve many problems such as treating disease
Why are some people against genetic engineering?
There are worries about the long term effects that altering someone genes might cause unplanned problems which could be passed onto future generations
What are the cons of GM crops?
It will reduce numbers of weeds and flowers (and insects) that live around crops reducing farmland biodiversity
People may develop allergies to the food
Transplanted genes may get out into the natural environment e.g. Herbicide resistance gene may be picked by weeds creating a superweed
What are the pros of GM crops?
Is can increase the yield of a crop making more food
People in developing countries often lack nutrition crops could be engineered to contain the nutrient that is missing from their diet
