Answer to Question #189301 in Genetics for Jon jay Mendoza

Question

B. Answer the following question comprehensively. Be guided by the following criteria. 

*Answer in 7-10 sentences only. Underline your keywords.

1. Is genetic engineering a blessing or a curse? Support your answer using the given examples and some news that you might have encountered about the advantages and/or disadvantages of GMO’s. You can also read more about GMO’s if you can access other resources.

Answer 1

Genetic engineering allows scientists to select one specific gene to implant. This avoids introducing other genes with undesirable traits. Genetic engineering also helps speed up the process of creating new foods with desired traits.

Genetic engineering can be done with plants, animals, or bacteria and other very small organisms. Genetic engineering allows scientists to move desired genes from one plant or animal into another. Genes can also be moved from an animal to a plant or vice versa. Another name for this is genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

The process to create GE foods is different than selective breeding. This involves selecting plants or animals with desired traits and breeding them. Over time, this results in offspring with those desired traits.

One of the problems with selective breeding is that it can also result in traits that are not desired. Genetic engineering allows scientists to select one specific gene to implant. This avoids introducing other genes with undesirable traits. Genetic engineering also helps speed up the process of creating new foods with desired traits.