SAC 1? - genetic engineering

Question 1

What is meant by genetic engineering?

Answer 1

• the alteration of an organism’s genome using recombinant DNA technologies.
• changes an organism in a way that would not occur naturally.

Question 2

difference between transgenic organisms and genetically modified organisms

Answer 2

GMOs - an organism with genetic material that has been altered using gene engineering technology
- may involve being: a) silenced, b) inserted into, c) removed from, d) altered by replacing nucleotides.
transgenic (TGOs) - a type of GMO that contains genetic material from another species that has been artificially introduced
(transgenesis). ALL TGOs ARE GMOs

Question 3

non - GMO

Answer 3

• selective breeding
• vaccination

Question 4

Why are plants genetically modified?

Answer 4

• produce higher yields
• have a longer shelf life
• are resistant to diseases and pests
• taste better.

Question 5

What features of plants are desirable?

Answer 5

• more efficient uptake of soil nutrients
• increased crop productivity
• less reliance on fertilizers
• increased nutritional value
• improved drought tolerance and disease resistance

Question 6

Why might animals be genetically modified?

Answer 6

to be used in:
- research,
- disease control,
- medicine
- biomolecule production.

Question 7

What features of animals may be desirable?

Answer 7

• disease resistance
• improved reporoduction
• environmental tolerance
• eg. GM fluorescent zebra fish, or GM salmon