genetic engineering

• Genetic engineering can be used in agriculture to develop crops with increased resistance to pests and diseases.
• RNA (Ribonucleic Acid):

  • A single-stranded type of nucleic acid mostly involved in protein synthesis
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid):

  • Carries genetic information
• Enzyme:

  • A protein molecule that catalyzes biochemical reactions
• Mice are glowing because scientists inserted a gene found in certain bioluminescent jellyfish into their DNA

  • The gene is a recipe for a protein that glows green when hit by blue or ultraviolet light
• Genetic Engineering:

  • A new process used by scientists to alter genetic instructions in organisms
  • Also known as "Genetic Modification"
• Types of Genetic Engineering:

  • Classical Breeding:
  • The practice of mating or breeding selected organisms with desirable traits
  • Selective Breeding is done in a natural process without intervention
  • Manipulation of traits/characteristics to modify an organism indirectly (physical traits)
  • Recombinant DNA Technology:
  • Direct manipulation involving molecular techniques
  • Involves the isolation of the desired gene for human consumption mainly
• Gene:

  • A sequence of DNA on a chromosome that codes for one protein
  • Found in DNA
• Steps in Creating Recombinant DNA:

  • DNA containing the "gene of interest"
  • plasmid acts as a vector for the gene of interest
  • Cutting or cleaving of DNA and plasmid by "Restriction Enzyme"
  • Inserting the gene of interest into the open plasmid by "DNA Ligase"
  • Inserting the recombinant plasmid back to the bacterial cell to make multiple copies
  • Isolation of the gene copies and insertion into other organisms to confer desired traits
• Genetically Modified Plants:

  • BT Corn: Enhanced through biotechnology to protect against insect pests
  • BT Eggplant or BT Talong: Contains a natural protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that makes it resistant to Eggplant Fruit Shoot Borer
  • Golden Rice: Contains beta carotene, good for eyesight, skin, and immunity
• Other Applications of Genetic Engineering:

  • Humulin N: Insulin for those with diabetes
  • Cyanobacteria: Can be modified to provide plastic or fuel
  • Escherichia Coli (E.Coli): Can be modified to produce diesel
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can have traits like:

  • Insect resistant
  • Herbicide resistant
  • Disease resistant
  • Drought/freeze resistant
  • Higher yield
  • Faster growth
  • Longer shelf life
  • Improved nutrition
• RNA (Ribonucleic Acid):

  • Single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid):

  • Carries genetic information
• Enzyme:

  • Protein molecule that catalyzes biochemical reactions
• Mice are glowing because scientists inserted a gene from bioluminescent jellyfish into their DNA, causing them to glow green when exposed to blue or ultraviolet light
• Genetic engineering:

  • New process used by scientists to alter genetic instructions in organisms
  • Also known as "genetic modification"
  • Involves changing one base pair in DNA
  • Can delete a whole region of DNA
  • Can introduce an additional copy of a gene
  • Involves extracting DNA from another organism's genome and combining it with the DNA of the individual
• Humans are the main beneficiaries of genetic engineering

  • Philippines is open to genetically modified crops
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):

  • Organisms created through genetic engineering
• Classical Breeding:

  • Practice of mating selected organisms with desirable traits
  • Selective breeding done through natural processes like sexual and asexual reproduction
  • Manipulation of traits to modify an organism indirectly (physical traits only)
  • Examples include Macapuno traits in coconut, Superior corn, Guapple, Wheat, Soybeans, and Wagyu Beef II
• Steps in Classical Breeding:

  1. Determine significant traits

  2. Select parents with desired traits

  3. Choose best offspring for next generation

  4. Repeat the process
• Recombinant DNA Technology:

  • Direct manipulation involving molecular techniques
  • Involves isolation of desired gene
  • DNA cloning to make multiple copies of DNA
  • Can introduce new traits, enhance present traits, or disrupt inhibition of desired gene expression
• Gene:

  • Sequence of DNA on a chromosome that codes for one protein
• Steps in Creating Recombinant DNA:

  1. DNA containing the gene of interest

  2. Bacterial plasmid as a vector

  3. Cutting DNA and plasmid with restriction enzyme

  4. Inserting gene into plasmid with DNA ligase

  5. Inserting recombinant plasmid back into bacterial cell for multiple copies

  6. Isolating gene copies and inserting them into other organisms
• Genetically Modified Plants:

  • Examples include BT Corn, BT Eggplant, and Golden Rice
• Other Applications of Genetic Engineering:

  • Humulin N for insulin production
  • Cyanobacteria for plastic and fuel production
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) for diesel production
• Genetically Modified Organisms:

  • Insect resistant
  • Herbicide resistant
  • Disease resistant
  • Drought/freeze resistant
  • Higher yield
  • Faster growth
  • Longer shelf life
  • Improved nutrition