Learning Competency: Explain how mutations may cause changes in the structure

and function of a protein

Objective:
1. List several present day applications of genetic engineering.
2. Describe general techniques used by genetic engineers to modify DNA.
3. Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of manipulating an organism's DNA
Material:
Genetic flowchart, PowerPoint of genetic engineering

Procedure:

Study the PowerPoint Presentation on genetic engineering to complete the concept map
below.

Mutation of
Insert new genes Removal of genes
existing genes

To produce To produce To track protein

hydrocarbon, disease and production, for
fuel, plastics and insect-resistant disease
drugs crops, edible detection, to
vaccines, larger produce larger
crops animal as food

Guide Questions:

1. What is genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering refers to the direct manipulation of DNA to alter an organism's
characteristics (phenotype) in a particular way.

2. How do genetic engineers modify DNA? Enumerate the methods they used.
This may involve changing a single base pair (A-T or C-G), deleting a region of DNA or
adding a new segment of DNA. For example, genetic engineering may involve adding a
gene from one species to an organism from a different species to produce a desired
trait.
3. Why it is that genetic engineering is important to bacteria? To plants? To animals?

Genetic engineering of animals offers solutions for improving public health and
enhancing quality of life. The benefits include advancing human health, enhancing food
production, reducing environmental impact, optimizing animal health and welfare and
production of cutting edge industrial applications.

Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced
costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient
composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and
medical benefits to the world's growing population.

Genetic engineering can increase the levels of the enzymes used to degrade a toxin or
to make the bacteria more stable under environmental conditions.

4. Cite some examples of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) mentioned in the article.

Engineered crops can dramatically increase per area crop yields and, in some cases,
reduce the use of chemical insecticides. For example, the application of wide-spectrum
insecticides declined in many areas growing plants, such as potatoes, cotton, and corn,
that were endowed with a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which
produces a natural insecticide called Bt toxin.

5. Does genetic engineering always bring good effect to organism? Why? Explain your
answer.

Genetic engineering made it possible to create crop varieties regarded as “more

beneficial”. · Organisms can be 'tailor-made' to show desirable characteristics.