GENETIC ENGINEERING

• GENETIC ENGINEERING:

  • Genes from 1 ORGANISM e.g. HUMANS
  • CUT out, transferred to CELLS of different ORGANISMS
  • GENOME is modified
• EXAMPLE OF GENETIC ENGINEERING: INSULIN


  • Bacteria is genetically MODIFIED to produce the INSULIN gene
  • Produce human INSULIN
  • PURIFIED -> used for Type 1 diabetes
• GM CROPS:

  GENES are given to PLANTS

  • Increased YIELD than normal CROPS
  • RESISTANT to disease / INSECT attack
  • BIGGER / BETTER fruits
  • Resistant to HERBICIDES, spray FIELDS, no HARM to crop
• TREATING INHERITED DISORDERS:

  • Gene THERAPY
  • LONG-TERM effects are UNKNOWN
  • Modify 1 gene, effects on others?
• GM CROPS:

  • Are they SAFE?
  • More RESEARCH must be done on health EFFECTS
• STEPS TO TAKE FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING:

  • IDENTIFY genes to TRANSFER (human, PLANT, animal)
  • ISOLATE the gene using ENZYMES
  • Transfer genes to VECTOR e.g. PLASMID or virus
  • The VECTOR will transfer the DNA from 1 ORGANISM to ANOTHER
• KEY POINT:

  • All GENES must be TRANSFERRED at early STAGES of an organisms DEVELOPMENT
  • Genes are TRANSFERRED to cells of TARGET organisms
  • All CELLS receive the same GENES
  • So can develop the CHARACTERISTICS