Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering Overview

• Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's DNA to alter its characteristics.
• It enables scientists to introduce new traits into an organism, improving or creating desired functions.

Methods of Obtaining New DNA

• Transformation: The process of introducing foreign DNA into a host organism's cells, often using plasmids.
• Transfection: A technique that involves the insertion of nucleic acids into cells, usually using chemical, physical, or viral methods.

Recombinant DNA Milestone

• The first recombinant DNA molecule was created by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1973.
• They utilized a plasmid to combine DNA from two different species, paving the way for genetic engineering research.

Purpose of Gene Insertion

• Inserting genes aims to enhance or modify an organism's traits, such as improving crop yield, disease resistance, or producing pharmaceuticals.
• This technique also allows for the study of gene function and regulation.

Term for Genetically Engineered Organisms

• An organism generated through genetic engineering is known as a genetically modified organism (GMO).
• GMOs are often used in agriculture, research, and medicine to produce desired traits or substances.