Genetic Engineering Flashcards
what is genetic engineering?
This is a technique where a gene can be taken from one organism and placed into another to give a desired characteristic. The organism is now said to be transgenic
what are the basic steps in genetic engineering?
1) A cell is removed from the pancreas of a human (this is where insulin is produced so the gene will be actively producing insulin).
2) The gene responsible for producing insulin is identified and cut out using enzymes.
3) The human gene is transferred to a circular piece of DNA taken from a bacterial cell.
4) The bacterial DNA (which now contains the human gene for making insulin) is put back into the bacteria cell.
5) The bacteria is encouraged to divide.
As it does this, it produces the human insulin which can then be collected.
what are some of the examples of how different plants/crops have been genetically modified?
Potatoes - Make them be more resistant to several common pests
Soybeans - Modified to produce a healthier balance of fatty acids
Rice - Modified to withstand being covered in water for up to three weeks
Grasses - modified to absorb and break down explosive residues in soil
Crops - modified to be resistant to common diseases such as mosaic viruses
what are some of the potential advantages of genetic modification?
- growth rates of plants and animals are improving
- increased food value of crops, as genetically modified (GM) crops usually have much bigger yields than ordinary crops
- crops can be designed to grow well in dry hot,or cold parts of the world.
- crops can be engineered to produce plants that make their own pesticide or are resistant to the herbicides used to control weeds
what are some of the concerns about genetic modification?
- not sure of what the long-term effects might be
- some people concerned about eating GM food on human health.
- genes from GM Plants and animals might spread into the wildlife of the countryside.
