GENETIC ENGINEERING
What is genetic Engineering?
Genetic Engineering is the process of artificially changing the genetic makeup of cells in an organism with the purpose of giving the organism new traits that it does not originally possess.
A gene is a chemical blueprint that determines an organism’s trait. By transferring genes between different organisms, traits unique to one species can appear in other species. Through genetic engineering organisms can be giving traits that would they would not possess naturally.
Genetic engineering is different from selective breeding because with genetic engineering there is a much larger pool of genes/traits to choose from. By genetically engineering organisms there is the opportunity to give it traits that it does not naturally possess. Genetic engineering also does not take as long as selective breeding
How are genes changed?
Organism A – The Organism from which the desired gene was extracted from
Organism B – The Organism that is receiving the desired gene
1. The desired gene is found and extracted Organism A
2. Thousands of copies of the gene are made (This process is called gene cloning)
3. The gene is modified to be more compatible with Organism B
4. The new gene(transgene) is inserted into the cells of Organism B
-This process is transformation. There are two types of transformation.
-The most common method is to insert the transgene into bacteria which naturally alters plants.
-The “Gene Cannon” is another method which involves shooting microscopic particles covered with the transgene into Organism B
5. Organism B is tested to see if the inserted genes work properly
6. Offspring from Organism B is checked to see if they possess the desired gene.
Diagram 1 is a visual representation of the process of creating a genetically modified organism. After isolating the desired trait and making copies, the DNA is injected into the plant tissue. Then the offspring is checked to see if they possess the desired trait.
Example of Genetic Engineering:
Potatoes are an example of a genetically engineered crop. Scientists created GM potatoes with the purpose to utilize starch within the potato. Starch can be used to make other foods and can also be used as a useful adhesive. Only a quarter of potatoes are being consumed by humans, the rest goes on to feed livestock and produce goods.
As shown in Diagram 2 the effects of genetically modifying potatoes has drastically improved the product as well as the environment. This is an example of how genetic engineering can be used positively to benefit humans.