Genetic engineering facts for kids
Genetic engineering (GE) is also known as genetic modification. It is a part of biology that deals with changing living things. It means changing an organism's genome, which is like its instruction manual. Scientists use special tools and methods from biotechnology to do this.
Here are some ways genetic engineering works:
- Scientists can add new DNA into an organism's instruction manual. They find a specific DNA part and then put it into the organism.
- They can also remove genes. This is like "turning off" a gene. They use special tools called enzymes to do this.
- Another way is to change a gene using a method called gene targeting. This can be used to delete a gene, add a gene, or make small changes called mutations.
An organism changed by genetic engineering is called a genetically modified organism (GMO). The first GMOs were tiny bacteria in 1973. Then, mice were changed in 1974. By 1982, bacteria that could make insulin (a medicine) were being used. Since 1994, genetically modified food has been sold, including special crops.
Genetic engineering is used in many areas. It helps with agriculture, making medicines, and industrial products. For example, enzymes in laundry soap and medicines like insulin are now made using GM cells. GM animals, like mice or zebrafish, are used for important research.
Some people have concerns about genetic engineering. They worry about ethical issues (what is right or wrong) and ecological issues (how it affects nature). There are also economic concerns because GM methods and organisms are protected by intellectual property laws.
A big worry for nature is that some GM organisms might grow too well. They could take over the habitat of regular species.
Understanding GM Food
GM food is a big topic. People wonder if food made from GM crops is safe to eat. They also debate if these foods should have special labels. Another question is whether GM crops are truly needed to feed everyone in the world.
These discussions have led to lawsuits, trade disagreements between countries, and protests. Many countries now have strict rules about selling GM products.
Today, we can grow and use GM seeds. Big countries like India and China believe GM farming is important to feed their large populations. Other countries are still deciding. This debate involves scientists, farmers, politicians, companies, and even groups like the United Nations. Not everyone involved in making GM seeds agrees on everything.
See also
Images for kids
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In 1974 Rudolf Jaenisch created a genetically modified mouse, the first GM animal.
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Polymerase chain reaction is a powerful tool used in molecular cloning
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A gene gun uses biolistics to insert DNA into plant tissue
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A. tumefaciens attaching itself to a carrot cell
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Human cells in which some proteins are fused with green fluorescent protein to allow them to be visualised
See also
In Spanish: Ingeniería genética para niños
