Lesson 1.3: Genetic Engineering

What is genetic engineering?

this is the process of using technology to directly alter an organism’s genes, allowing scientists to add, remove or modify specific DNA sequences

What is the main process of genetic manipulation?

1) gene isolation

2) vector insertion

3) transformation

What is a genetically modified organism or GMO?

this is any plant, animal, or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, with the goal to introduce a specific desirable trait into the organism’s genome

What is a transgenic organism?

a GMO that contains genetic material from another, unrelated species

What is a cisgenic organism?

a GMO that contains genetic material from the same species or a closely related, sexually compatible species

What is a intragenic organism?

a GMO that contains genetic material from a crossable species, but the DNA introduced may be a shuffled version of a native gene

What is Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer or nuclear transplantation?

this is lab technique for creating a viable embryo from a body cell and an egg cell, and is the fundamental process in cloning

What is reproductive cloning?

this form of genetic transplantation is done to create a new, genetically identical individual

What is therapeutic cloning?

this form of genetic transplantation is done to create patient-specific stem cells that are a genetic match for the donor, and is used to treat conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and regenerate tissues and organs