Genetic Engineering

• What is the basic idea of genetic engineering?


  To transfer a gene responsible for a desirable trait from one organism to another.
• How does genetic modification affect an organism's genome?


  It modifies the genome by adding a new helpful gene.
• Can genes from different species be used in genetic engineering?


  Yes, genes from one species can be used to modify organisms of another species.
• What is an example of a genetically engineered animal?


  Some sheep that produce drugs in their milk.
• What is the purpose of genetically engineered bacteria in medicine?


  To produce human insulin for diabetes treatment.
• What are genetically modified crops used for?


  To improve size, quality, and resistance to diseases and pests.
• What is gene therapy aimed at treating?


  Inherited disorders caused by faulty genes.
• What is a major challenge in gene therapy?


  Transferring the new gene into every cell in the body.
• How could gene therapy be more effective if done at an early stage of development?


  The healthy gene would be passed on to all cells as the organism develops.
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified crops?


  Pros:

  • Desirable characteristics like disease resistance
  • Increased food production for less cost
  • Nutrient enhancement (e.g., golden rice with beta-carotene)

  
  

  Cons:

  • Uncertainty about health effects
  • Potential ecological impact if they out-compete local plants
• What is the first step in transferring a gene from one organism to another?


  Finding the gene that we want and cutting it out of the DNA.
• What tools are used to isolate a gene from DNA?


  Enzymes are used to cut the DNA.
• What is a vector in genetic engineering?


  A vector is a vehicle, like a virus or bacterial plasmid, used to transfer genes.
• How do we introduce the vector to the target organism?


  By introducing the vector to the organism we want to modify.
• What is the expected outcome after the organism takes up the vector?


  The organism's cells will start producing the protein that the gene codes for.