P6.2.4 - Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

Altering an organism’s genome to produce desirable characteristics

Question 2

What are the benefits of genetic engineering?

Answer 2

It is accurate and can occur in one generation

Question 3

State examples of organisms that have been genetically engineered on.

Answer 3

Corn
Cotton
Bacteria

Question 4

What is a foreign gene?

Answer 4

A gene taken from an organism that codes for a desirable characteristic in a different organism

Question 5

When are foreign genes entered into the organism?

Answer 5

At a very young age

Question 6

What are the negatives of genetic engineering?

Answer 6

Eating genetically engineered organisms can lead to health problems
Cross-pollinating with a genetically engineered organism will introduce a new gene into the ecosystem and disrupt it
Unknown long term effects

Question 7

Give an example of a health problem which develops from genetic engineering.

Answer 7

Introduction of new allergens could cause people to be allergic to that organism

Question 8

How are frost-resistant tomatoes made?

Answer 8

A foreign gene from a flounder is inserted into the tomato at a young age to make it frost-resistant

Question 9

What is the benefit of genetically engineering cotton?

Answer 9

Increases the crop yield from the same area of land

Question 10

What is the benefit of genetically engineering corn?

Answer 10

Produces toxins that kill insects and make it pest resistant

Question 11

What is the benefit of genetically engineering bacteria?

Answer 11

To help produce medical drugs such as insulin