13.1 - Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Genetic engineering refers to the technique used to manipulate or modify genes to form a new combination of gene in an organism. This technique involves the transfer of DNA segment into an organism through DNA recombinant technology. This technique allows the scientists to rebuild DNA or genome (one complete set of DNA) in an organism. The modified organism be it an animal, a plant or microorganism is called genetically modified organism (GMO).

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

• Refers to the organism that contains recombinant DNA.
• This organism is known as transgenic organism.
• For instance, a genetically modified goat contains a human gene which codes for a blood clotting factor. Then, this blood clotting factor is obtained from the goat's milk to treat hemophilia.

Genetically modified food (GMF)

• Recombinant DNA technology has also successfully produced crops and livestock for human being.
• Recombinant DNA within the GMF comes from plant or animal species.
• However, the effect of GMF is still under study and may bring some effects.
• Examples of GMF are corn, Super Salmon, potatoes and others.

Figure 1 - Characteristics of genetically modified food (GMF).

Advantages and Disadvantages of GMF

• Advantages

  • Maintain high quality food worldwide.
  • Cost of food production reduces.
  • Increases the nutritional content of food.
  • Reduces pest disturbance in agriculture.
  • Reduces the use of pesticides.
  • More food production, cheaper and easily obtainable.

• Disadvantages

  • Natural species threatened.
  • Possible gene transfer from GMF to humans. For example, antibiotic-resistant gene.
  • Affects human health and genetic content of humans.

Insulin

• Insulin hormone plays an important role in controlling the optimum blood glucose level.
• Genetic engineering technique has enabled the commercial production of insulin by using the Escherichia coli bacteria.
• Other than insulin, hepatitis B vaccine, blood clotting factor and growth hormone has also been successfully produced through genetic engineering.

Figure 2 - Production of insulin through genetic engineering technique.