Uses of Genetic Modification
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 6.2.10
Uses of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering has many different possible applications, including:
Transferring genes into animals
- Sheep have had their genomes modified so that their milk contains drugs that can be used to treat human diseases.
Transferring genes into plants
- Many genetically modified (GM) crops exist. They have been engineered to have the following characteristics:
- Resistance to diseases, insects, or herbicides.
- Production of larger or ‘better’ fruits.
Transferring genes into bacteria
- Bacterial DNA has been engineered in such a way that it contains the human insulin gene.
- By creating a colony of this modified bacteria, there can be rapid and cheap production of large quantities of human insulin. This can be used to treat type 1 diabetics.
Test yourself on Uses of Genetic Modification
What is genetic engineering not typically used to achieve?
At what stage must a gene be inserted into an organism's cells so that every cell in the developed organism carries it?
What type of molecule is used to cut both the gene from a chromosome and the vector in genetic engineering?
Why is producing insulin using genetically engineered bacteria useful?
Why might sheep have their genomes genetically modified?