Topic 6 Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering

Answer 1

Transferring a gene responsible for desirable characteristics from one organisms genome into another organisms so that it also has the desired characteristics

Question 2

Genetic engineering method

Answer 2

1)Useful gene is isolated from one organisms genome using enzymes and inserted into a vector
2)vestir is usually a virus or bacterial plasmid depending in the type of organism that the gene is being transferred into
3)when the vector is introduce to the target organism the useful gene is inserted into its cells(s)

Question 3

What can genetic engineering be used for

Answer 3

1)bacteria have been genetically modified to produce insulin that can be used to treat diabetes
2)Genetically modified (GM) crops have there genes modified to improve size/quality of their fruit,make them resistant to disease, insects and herbicides
3)sheep have been genetically engineered to produce substances like drugs in their milk to treat human disease
4)scientists are researching modification treatments for inherited disease caused by faulty genes by inserting working genes into people with the with the disease (gene therapy)

Question 4

Why can the gene sometimes be transferred when the organism is at an early stage of development

Answer 4

So that the organism develops with the characteristic coded for by the gene

Question 5

Why is genetic engineering controversial

Answer 5

1)potential for solving many problems(treating disease/ more efficient food production)
2)worries about the long term effects of genetic engineering - that changing the organisms genes might accidentally create unplanned problems which could get passed on to future generations

Question 6

Cons of GM crops

Answer 6

1) Will effect the number of wild flowers (so will impact population of insect) they live in and around the crops reducing farmland biodiversity
2) people worried that they aren’t safe to eat and we might not fully understand the effects of eating them on human health (worried they might develop allergies to the food)
3) worried that the transplanted genes might bet out into the natural environment (herbicide resistant genes picked up by weeds creating super weed variety)

Question 7

Pros of GM crops

Answer 7

1) can increase yield making more food
2)people from different nations may lack nutrients but GM crops could be engineered to contain the missing nutrients e.g golden rice contains beta carotene - without causes blindness
3) GM crops are already being grown in some places without any problems