genetic engeneering

• genetic engineering transfers genes between organisms that are responsible for desirable characteristics
• first a useful gene is isolated (cut) from one organisms genome using enzymes and is inserted into a vector
• the vector is usually a virus or a bacterial plasmid depending on the type of organism that the gene is being transferred to.
• secondly, when the vector is introduced to the target organism, the useful gene is inserted into its cell.
• scientists use this for bacteria which has been genetically modified to produce human insulin that can be used to treat diabetes. genetically modified crops to improve size and quality or make them resistant to disease. sheep have been genetically engineered to produce substances like drugs in their milk for human diseases.
• scientists are researching genetic modification treatments for inherited diseases caused by faulty genes, by inserting working genes into people with the disease. this is gene therapy.
• in some cases, the transfer of the gene is done when the organism receiving the gene is at an early stage of development, so that the organism develops the characteristic coded for by the gene
• people worry that genes might create problems, which can be passed to future generations
• people say GM crops reduce farmland biodiversity
• some say GM crops are unsafe
• concern that transplanted genes may get out into the natural environment, for example the herbicide resistance gene may be picked up by weeds, creating a new variety
• GM crops could contain nutrients that other plants lack, golden rice is a GM rice crop that contain beta-carotene, lack of this substnace causes blindless.