Genetic engineering

• Genetic engineering, also known as recombinant DNA technology, involves altering the genes in a living organism to produce a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) with a new genotype.
• E. coli bacteria have been modified to produce diesel fuel.
• Cyanobacteria have been modified to produce plastic (polyethylene) and fuel (butanol) as byproducts of photosynthesis.
• Various kinds of genetic modification are possible: inserting a foreign gene from one species into another, altering an existing gene so that its product is changed, or changing gene expression so that it is translated more often or not at all.
• The history of GMO development includes creating the first genetically modified bacteria in 1973, creating GM mice in 1974, and the first commercial development of GMOs in 1982 (insulin-producing bacteria).
• Genetic modification can be completed by a number of different methods: inserting new genetic material randomly or in targeted locations, recombination, removal of genes, or mutation of existing genes.
• The basic steps in genetic engineering are: isolating the gene, inserting it in a host using a vector, producing as many copies of the host as possible, and separating and purifying the product of the gene.
• An alternative method for isolating the gene is using Reverse Transcriptase, which converts mRNA into cDNA and produces a complementary strand using DNA polymerase.
• A vector is a molecule of DNA which is used to carry a foreign gene into a host cell.
• Replica plating is a method used in genetic engineering.
• Cloning is a method used in genetic engineering.
• Glofish are genetically modified fish sold as pets.
• Genes from the scorpion are added to the cabbage, preventing insects from eating it.
• The reference range for total bilirubin in adults is 0.0 – 0.2 mg/dL (0 – 3 μ mol/L), with a premature infant reference range of 1 – 6 mg/dL, a full-term infant reference range of 2 – 6 mg/dL, and a reference range for premature infants of 6 – 8 mg/dL.
• Nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the countries in the European Union, have enacted significant restrictions or full bans on the production and sale of genetically modified organism food products, and 64 countries now have GMO labeling requirements.
• A gene from the Bt bacteria is added to the corn so it produces a protein that is poisonous to certain insects but not humans.
• Modified virus is injected in a sapling tree, causing the bananas to contain virus proteins.
• Concerns about genetically modified organisms include risk to human health, harm to the environment and wildlife, increased pesticide and herbicide use, farmers’ health, and seed and pollen drift.
• Genetically modified crops can have higher yield, faster growth, insect resistance, longer shelf life, disease resistance, improved nutrition, herbicide resistance, and drought/freeze resistance.
• Genetically modified animals can produce bioluminescent animals, fast-growing salmon, less smelly cows, and web-producing goats.
• Genetic engineering can be used to produce hydrocarbons (plastics and fuels) usually only found in fossil fuels.