Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What are the basic steps in genetic engineering?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What are some of the examples of how different plants/crops have been genetically modified?

Answer 3

Potatoes have been modified to make more starch and to be more resistant to several common pests.

Soybeans have been modified to produce a healthier balance of fatty acids.

Rice have been modified to withstand being completely covered in water for up to three weeks and still produce a good crop.

Question 4

What are some of the potential advantages of genetic modification?

Answer 4

• improved growth rates of plants and animals.
• 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.
• plants can be engineered to be more attractive to the buyer in terms of shapes and colour.
• rice can be engineered to contain vitamins.

Question 5

What are some of the concerns about genetic modification?

Answer 5

• we do not know the long term effects of consumption by humans on GM food.
• scientists are concerned that if GM plants manage to reproduce with wild plants. This will reduce the gene pool resulting in less overall protection against disease.