What is Genetic Engineering?
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome through the use of various biotechnologies. There are several ways that the genome can be manipulated. First, new genes can be inserted into or recombined with the organism’s genome using molecular cloning, DNA synthesis, or gene splicing. Gene splicing is the process of cutting up DNA molecules from two or more organisms and, basically, sticking them together to create what we call recombinant DNA. Genes can also be removed, “turned off”, “turned on”, or mutated.
Organisms that undergo these processes are called genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. GMOs are more common than you might think. In fact, there is a great deal of controversy today about GMOs, especially genetically modified food (crops, produce, meat, etc). Genetically modified food has been on the market since 1994. Many people fear the potential health consequences of eating genetically modified food, while others worry about the ethical and legal ramifications.
The first genetically modified organisms were bacteria in 1973. Just one year later, we had genetically modified mice. By 1982, insulin-producing bacteria had been commercialized and in 2003, the first genetically modified pet, the Glofish, was introduced. Food is often genetically modified to be more robust, nutritious, and resistant to disease.
GMOs are also often used for research; organisms can be modified to be more or less susceptible to disease, for example, or they can be modified to produce certain substances, like the aforementioned insulin-producing bacteria.
Organisms that undergo these processes are called genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. GMOs are more common than you might think. In fact, there is a great deal of controversy today about GMOs, especially genetically modified food (crops, produce, meat, etc). Genetically modified food has been on the market since 1994. Many people fear the potential health consequences of eating genetically modified food, while others worry about the ethical and legal ramifications.
The first genetically modified organisms were bacteria in 1973. Just one year later, we had genetically modified mice. By 1982, insulin-producing bacteria had been commercialized and in 2003, the first genetically modified pet, the Glofish, was introduced. Food is often genetically modified to be more robust, nutritious, and resistant to disease.
GMOs are also often used for research; organisms can be modified to be more or less susceptible to disease, for example, or they can be modified to produce certain substances, like the aforementioned insulin-producing bacteria.
