1. Gene Technology
Biology 1
GCSE Science
Chapter 1

2. Genetic Engineering
This involves removing a gene from one organism and placing it in a different species. But why is this done?
Perhaps the gene can carry out a very useful function such as the production of a specific protein.
GCSE Science
Chapter 1

3. Producing Human Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced by specific cells in the pancreas. Its job is to regulate the blood glucose level within the correct range.
Some people cannot produce insulin because their pancreatic cells don’t function properly. This is a form of diabetes called Type 1 Diabetes. Fortunately, this condition can be treated by injecting insulin made by genetic engineering techniques.
GCSE Science
Chapter 1

4. The steps of the process:
Bacteria
Human cell
The steps of the process:
An enzyme acts as a pair of scissors to cut the DNA either side of the required gene.
Plasmid
required
gene
This gene is then implanted into the bacterial plasmid. This is a circular piece of DNA in the bacteria. It is cut to make room for the required gene. Enzymes do the cutting and also ensure that the required gene is ‘glued’ in place.
GCSE Science
Chapter 1
3. The final stage involves placing the new plasmids into bacteria so that they produce a new protein. As the bacteria reproduce, they produce the protein on a mass scale - human insulin in this case.
INSULIN

5. The Advantages of Genetic Engineering
In theory, this process could be used to mass produce any protein.
In 1993 a blood clotting protein was first produced using genetically engineered sheep cells. Haemophiliacs are treated with an injection of this protein to help their blood clot.
GCSE Science
Chapter 1

6. Genetically Modified Crops
The first commercial genetically modified (GM) crop was modified so that it was resistant to insects and pests. It was the potato, and it was modified so that it made its own built-in insecticide.
GCSE Science
Chapter 1

7. Opposition
Some people fear that problems arise from modifying food genetically. The main concern is that the animals eating such crops will transfer antibiotic resistance to the bacteria in their gut.
It is feared that this could add to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the world, in turn leading to more superbugs such as MRSA.
GCSE Science
Chapter 1

8. GCSE Science Chapter 10 A plant can be modified and
Disadvantages
Advantages
A plant can be
modified and
tailored to grow
in any region
of the world.
If developed countries
could grow GM
versions of crops,
then they wouldn’t
need to buy them
from developing
countries.
GM crops
GM crops could
be grown to
produce bio fuels,
in turn helping
ease the fossil
fuel crisis.
GCSE Science
Chapter 10
The fear of increasing
antibiotic resistance
in the environment.

9. Genetic Engineering – For or Against?
There is fierce debate going on, for and against GM crop production and research. For a taste of this debate go to:
put GM into the search engine
go to:
‘What we do’
GCSE Science
Chapter 1