Genetic Modification (Genetic Engineering)

• What is genetic engineering?

  The transfer of a piece of DNA from one organism to another organism
• What is another name for genetic engineering? 

  Genetic modification 
• true or false

  Genetic engineering can only be done between two organisms of the same species. 

  false
• Sheep have been genetically engineered to produce drugs in their 

  milk
• what has been genetically engineered to produce human insulin?

  bacteria
• Give three traits that could have been altered by genetic engineering in crops?

  Increased yield e.g. bigger fruit 

  Increase quality e.g. better taste 

  Resistance to disease 

  Resistance to insects  

  Resistance to herbicides  

  Resistance to droughts  
• What is gene therapy?

  The treatment of an inherited disorder by giving the patient a healthy copy of the faulty gene 
• Cystic fibrosis can be treated with

  gene therapy
• What are the drawbacks of genetic engineering?

  If the crops breed with wild plants they could spread the new genes and affect the gene pool

  There is a small risk that genetically modified food could negatively affect our health 
• 1. Isolate the insulin gene from human DNA.
  2. Insert the DNA into a vector, such as a plasmid. 
  3. Insert the plasmid into host bacterium. 
  4. Let the bacteria divide and then produce the insulin protein. 
• What is the name of the small circles of DNA that are genetically modified in bacteria?

  plasmids