Genetic engineering

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    • Genetic engineering - modification of an organisms genome by inserting a desired gene from another organism.
    • Can also be referred to as genetic modification, GM.
    • Genetic engineering can only be done at the early stage of development. This is because when the cell undergoes mitosis then every cell will have this desirable gene.
    • Pros of genetic engineering in crops;
      • Crops will have desirable characteristics, like resistance to disease or having more fruit ect.
      • This results in a greater yield, for less money.
      • They can also be modified to have extra nutrients, this means that people who only eat this food will get all their nutrients.
    • Cons of genetic engineering in crops;
      • We don't know if they have any effect on our health.
      • Can effect wild flowers ( as they could out compete them)and therefore insects.
    • Genetic engineering process;
      1. Genes, which has the desirable characteristic, is cut out using an enzyme.
      2. A bacterial plasmid is extracted and cut using the same enzyme.
      3. The gene is then inserted into the plasmid. Which is then placed into a vector (virus or bacteria) and allowed to multiply.
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