The Genetic Engineering Lab

The Genetic Engineering Lab 🧬

Every living thing reads DNA the same way. That means a human gene, dropped into a bacterium, still works: the bacterium starts making a human protein. That single fact is the whole basis of genetic engineering, and it is why insulin for diabetes now comes out of a fermenter rather than an animal pancreas.

Moving a gene 🔬

**Genetic engineering** (also called genetic modification) means moving a **gene** from one organism into another, so that the second organism produces the **protein** that gene codes for. Because the genetic code is shared by all living things, the transferred gene is read normally in its new host.

The toolkit 🛠️

Three tools do the work: • **Restriction enzymes** **cut** the useful gene out of the donor DNA, leaving short sticky ends. • A **vector**, usually a **plasmid** (a small ring of bacterial DNA), carries the gene. • **Ligase** is the enzyme that **joins** the gene into the plasmid.

Match each part to its job

Label the gene transfer

An interactive activity.

The engineering process

An interactive activity.

The cutting enzyme

Which enzyme is used to cut the useful gene out of the donor DNA?

• A restriction enzyme
• Ligase
• RNA polymerase
• Amylase

Put to work 💉

Genetic engineering already does real jobs: • Bacteria have been engineered to make **human insulin**, so people with diabetes no longer depend on insulin extracted from animals. • **GM crops** can be given higher yields, resistance to pests or herbicides, or extra nutrients. **Golden rice** was engineered to contain vitamin A, to help prevent deficiency blindness.

Why engineered insulin?

Why is human insulin now made by genetically engineered bacteria?

• The bacteria carry the human insulin gene, so they make large amounts of human insulin cheaply
• Bacteria naturally produce human insulin without any modification
• Because insulin cannot be made by any living thing
• Because bacteria are the only organisms that contain plasmids

Worth it? ⚖️

Genetic engineering is powerful, and genuinely debated. **Benefits:** cheaper and more reliable medicines, higher crop yields, and crops that resist pests or carry extra nutrients. **Risks and concerns:** modified genes could spread to wild populations and affect **biodiversity**, long-term health effects are not fully known, and GM seed can be costly or controlled by a few companies.

True about genetic modification

Select ALL THREE statements about genetic engineering that are TRUE.

• Bacteria can be engineered to produce human insulin
• GM crops can be given higher yields or added nutrients
• There are concerns that modified genes could spread to wild populations
• Genetic engineering has no risks or drawbacks at all
• A gene moved into a bacterium stops working because the code is different
• Genetic engineering always makes organisms dangerous

Engineering summary

In genetic engineering, a _____ enzyme cuts the useful gene out of the donor DNA. The enzyme _____ joins the gene into a _____, which carries it into a host cell. Engineered bacteria are used to make human _____ for people with diabetes.