Genetic engineering

• 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.