Genetic engineering involves transferring DNA between organisms. It uses recombinant DNA techniques where the gene of interest is isolated and inserted into a vector like a plasmid or virus, which is then used to introduce the gene into a host cell. This allows the production of useful proteins like insulin through genetically modified bacteria. While genetic engineering has benefits like producing important medicines, there are also potential health and environmental risks to consider.

2. Genetic engineering:
 is the process by which pieces of DNA are
transferred from one organism to another
Human Bacterium
Bacterium Plant
Human Sheep
Fish Plant

3. Tobacco plant Gene taken
glows in the dark from a firefly
[1986 ]

4. A vector is needed to transfer
a gene into a host cell
 VECTOR
 plasmids or viruses are vectors
VIRUS
chromosome PLASMID
A plasmid is a circular piece of
DNA in a bacterium.

5. A quick look at the process
1. DNA carrying a gene
of interest is taken from
2. The gene is inserted a (e.g., a human) cell.
into the DNA of another
(host) cell.
3. The host cell now
contains recombinant
DNA.
4. The host cell multiplies. Vat
5. The desired protein
is produced.

6. Recombinant DNA enters the
host cell
Recombinant DNA
gene
Human cell
Bacterium
Genetically
modified
Plasmid is
plasmid opened

7. An organism which has foreign DNA
integrated into its genetic material
is called:
Foreign DNA
Enzymes
cut DNA
Foreign DNA is integrated

8. = [Transgenic]

9. Question: MAY, 2012
Insulin was the first hormone to be synthesised
using genetic engineering.
a. Define the term genetic engineering. (2)
The process by which pieces of DNA are
transferred from one organism to another.

10. b. Genetic engineering uses recombinant DNA.
What is recombinant DNA? (2)
DNA made from two different organisms e.g.
human gene and bacterial plasmid.

11. c. Explain the function of plasmids in genetic
engineering. (2)
Act as vectors to carry a specific gene into the
host cell.

12. Stages involved:
1. Identification of the required gene (e.g. gene
for human insulin).
gene

13. Stages involved:
2. Cutting of the chromosome using special
enzymes called restriction endonucleases to
release the gene.

15. Uses of genetic engineering:
1. To make insulin for use by diabetic persons
Before genetic engineering, where did insulin
come from?
Pigs
Cows

16. Question: MAY 2002
Give a biological explanation for the following
observation:
Ann couldn’t believe her ears hearing the
pharmacist telling her that the insulin shots
bought for her grandfather were produced
from bacteria. (2)
Insulin is produced by genetically modified
bacteria. The human gene able to make insulin
is inserted into bacteria.

17. Uses of genetic engineering:
2. To make growth hormone to treat dwarfs

18. Uses of genetic engineering:
3. To prepare vaccines

19. Uses of genetic engineering:
4. To make plants resistant to disease
Tomato mosaic virus
causes great damage

20. Uses of genetic engineering:
5. To make pigs, cows or fish grow faster

21. Uses of genetic engineering:
6. Higher production of milk by cows

22. Uses of genetic engineering:
7. To make pigs with less fat - leaner meat.
Control GMO

23. Gene therapy
 when a gene in inserted into a sick person

24. Other examples of GMO not
in your notes

25. Less-flatulent cows
Scientists have identified the bacterium responsible for
producing methane and designed a line of cattle that creates
25 % less methane than the average cow.

26. Golden Rice: is genetically modified (rich in
vitamin A)
Ordinary rice
Genetically modified
rice

27. Drought-Resistant Seeds

28. Goats make Silk Protein in Milk
Strong, flexible spider silk is one of the most valuable materials in nature, and
it could be used to make manyproducts — from artificial ligaments to
parachute cords.
This “silk milk” could then be used to manufacture a web-like material called
Biosteel.

29. Tadpoles which Fluoresce
Tadpoles modified with jellyfish genes show promise as a
faster and less expensive way to detect pollution than
traditional methods.

30. Featherless Chickens
Grow better in warm countries.
May 22, 2002
No need of cooling.

31. Pest-Resistant Cabbage
Gene that programs poison in scorpion tails was combined with cabbage.
These genetically modified cabbages produce scorpion poison that kills
caterpillars when they bite leaves — but the toxin is modified so it isn’t
harmful to humans.

32. Oil-eating Bacteria

33. Strawberry with antifreeze
Antifreeze is a chemical found in a fish living in cold water to
avoid its blood freezing. Gene able to make this antifreeze was
introduced into strawberries to avoid them from mushing up
when frozen. But they become blue.

34. GM Trees
Grow faster, yield better wood
Australian eucalyptus trees have been altered to withstand freezing
temperatures.
Loblolly pines have been created with less lignin – better to make paper.

35. Possible hazards of genetic
engineering
 Risks for human health, e.g. higher chances
for cancer
 Risks for animal health, e.g. higher chances
of infection
 Risk of creating new microbes that are
difficult to kill by antibiotics