In this topic we are learning to: z Research the arguments for and against genetic engineering.
Biotechnology is the use of living things or their parts to make useful products and to perform useful services.
An early example of biotechnology is the use of microorganisms to make food such as cheese and bread.
The discovery of DNA marked the beginning of modern biotechnology. Since then, biotechnology has made huge changes in industries such as medicine, farming and food science.
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is deliberately changing genes to produce desirable characteristics. Genetic engineering is also called genetic modification (GM).
Genetically altered genes can be used in medicine or to produce new types of plants or animals.
Insulin Fig. 4.4.1 An insulin injection
An example of genetic engineering in medicine is the treatment of the disease diabetes. Our bodies naturally produce a protein hormone called insulin to control the levels of glucose in our blood. However, a person who has diabetes may need insulin from an external source to keep them healthy.
Most of the insulin needed for the treatment of diabetes is now made using genetically engineered bacteria.
Fig. 4.4.2 ‘Golden’ rice
The human gene that controls insulin production is inserted into the bacteria E. coli. This bacteria is then grown in huge numbers to mass-produce insulin.
Golden Rice
Genetic engineering also allows scientists to produce a slightly different form of a gene. As a result, the new gene will produce a slightly different protein.
For example, a common species of rice was genetically engineered to produce large quantities of beta-carotene. Humans need beta-carotene to make vitamin A.
This new rice – known as golden rice because of its colour – offered the hope of reducing vitamin A deficiency in parts of the world where a lack of vitamin A in the diet is common.
