6.2.4: Genetic engineering
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Genetic engineering: a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic.
Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to diseases or to produce bigger better fruits.
Bacterial cells have been genetically engineered to produce useful substances such as human insulin to treat diabetes.
GM crops include crops resistant to insect attack or to herbicides.
GM crops generally show increased yields.
Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects.
Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored.
Modern medical research is exploring genetic modification to overcome some inherited disorders.
Higher tier genetic engineering: enzymes isolate the required gene and insert it into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or virus.
Higher tier genetic engineering: the vector inserts the gene into cells at an early stage in development, so the organism develops with desired characteristics.
Common exam mistakes
Do not confuse genetic engineering with selective breeding; genetic engineering introduces a gene from another organism.
Herbicides kill plants or weeds, not insects, bacteria or herbivores.
To explain increased yield from herbicide-resistant crops, link fewer weeds to less competition for light, water or mineral ions.
Do not spend the whole answer describing how genetic modification is carried out if the question asks why yield increases.
Concerns about GM crops should name who or what is affected, such as humans eating the crop, animals, wild flowers, insects or biodiversity.