Class Notes 2: Genetic Engineering

I. Genetic Engineering A.When humans make a change in an organism’s DNA code. B.In recombinant DNA, genes from one species can be inserted into another. C.Is frequently used in many of the foods we eat.

II. GM foods A.These are crops that have been genetically engineered (modified).They are also called transgenic, because they have genes from another species. B.GM crops make up 52% of the soybeans and 25% of the corn we eat.

III. How is it done? A.In bacteria: 1.A restriction enzyme is used to cut a gene. 2. The gene is added to a bacterial plasmid using sticky ends. 3. The plasmid is added to a bacteria, which makes many copies of the plasmid.

B. In plants: 1. The bacteria is modified (see A) 2. The modified bacteria can be allowed to infect a plant

C. In animals: 1. A fertilized egg cell must be used. 2. The foreign DNA is inserted into the nucleus using restriction enzymes and sticky ends. 3. The egg is implanted in a female. 4. The female gives birth to the transgenic organism.

Video Questions:  1. What do Europeans do to genetically modified foods? Should the US do the same?  2. What happens when we genetically modify food?  3. How are hybrids made?  4. What was the purpose of making genetically modified “Golden Rice”?

 5. What benefits do farmers receive by genetically altering their crop?  6. How often are we eating genetically modified foods? Explain.  7. What are some risks of genetically modified foods?