genetic engineering

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genetic engineering

Advantages

  • reducing vitamin A deficiency: beta-carotene is used by our bodies to make vitamin A. Golden rice is a variety of genetically modified rice, it contains two genes from other organisms which together enable the rice to produce beta-carotene. so growing golden rice means fewer people will suffer from vitamin A deficiency.
  • producing human insulin: the human insulin gene can be inserted into bacteria to produce human insulin. lots of human insulin can be produced quickly and cheaply to treat diabetes.
  • increasing crop yield: genetically modified crops have had their genes modified, e.g. to make them resistant to herbicides (chemicals used to kill weeds). fields of these crops can be sprayed with the herbicide and all the plants except the genetically modified crop are killed. this can increase the yield of crop, making more food.

Disadvantages

  • some say that growing genetically modified crops will affect the number of weeds and flowers (and therefore wildlife) that usually lives in and around the crops (reducing farmland biodiversity).
  • not everyone is convinced that genetically modified crops are safe. people are worried that they may develop allergies to the food.
  • a big concern is that transplanted genes may get out into the natural environment.for example, the herbicide resistance gene may be picked up by weeds, creating a new 'superweed' variety.

Evaluation

genetic engineering uses enzymes to cut and paste genes. 1) a useful gene is "cut" out from one organisms chromosomes using enzymes. 2) enzymes are then used to cut another organisms chromosome and then to insert the useful gene. 3) this technique produces genetically modified (GM) organisms.

Comments

GeekGirl

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Super helpful.Thanks alot:)

hanabanan

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:)

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