Genetic Engineering in agriculture

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AS Biology - Coursework

Genetic Engineering in agriculture - Essay

Introduction

Genetic Engineering is the technical manipulation of an object from the natural world in a way in which it would provide a benefit to humans.

Genetic engineering is also known as recombinant DNA technology which means changing the genes in a living organism to produce a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) with a new genotype.

Various kinds of genetic modification are possible such as inserting a foreign gene from one species into another, forming a transgenic organism; altering an existing gene so that its product is changed; or changing gene expression so that it is translated more often or not at all [1].

Genetic engineering is also sometimes called bioengineering, genetic manipulation, gene technology and biotechnology i.e. the industrial use of biological processes.

Why is genetic engineering used in agriculture?

Genetic modification is used to grow crops in some parts of the world. Genetic modification (GM) involves copying the genes which govern a particular characteristic from one organism and transferring them to another organism. An example of a GM crop is Soya. The Soya is genetically modified so that it is tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate [4]. This would reduce the usage of insecticides and herbicides therefore less money is spent by the farmers and the condition of the crops would be better.

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How is it done?

Genetic engineering works by physically removing a gene from one organism and inserting it into another organism giving it the ability to express the trait encoded by that gene. Below is a simple summary of how genetic engineering is done to a plant to give it a new trait.

First a gene of interest is cut from a stretch of plant DNA by using restriction endonucleases (enzyme). A plasmid is then removed from an agrobacterium (bacteria) and cut open using the same enzyme. The gene is then spliced into the plasmid and then the plasmid ...

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