CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of The Problems

Genetic engineerig also called genetic modification, is the direct
manipulation of an organisms genome using biotechnology. It is a set of
technologies used to change the genetic make up of cells, including the
transfer of genes within ang across species boundaries to produce improved or
novel organisms. New DNA is obtained by either isolating and copying the
genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods or by artificially
synthesizing the DNA. A construct is usually created and used to insert this
DNA into the host organism. As well as interesting genes, the process can be
used to remove or, “knock out”, genes. The new DNA can be interesting
randomly, or targeted to a specific part of the genome.
The purpose of genetic engineering is to make organisms do what we
want them to. We can make an organisms produce a certain protein that we
need for that organism to function in a different way. Benefit of genetic
engineering are experianced in whole array of fields especialy in agriculture,
in production of valuable protein and vaccine production. For example,
genetic engineering can be used to produce plants that have a higher
nutritional value or can tolerate exposure to herbicides. We make this paper
work for our knowledge and fulfill our english task.

B. Purpose
As for the purpose of making this paper work are :
1. To fulfill the english duty
2. To know the definition of genetic engineering
3. To know purpose of genetic engineering
4. To know the benefits of genetic engineering
5. To know process of genetic engineering

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 CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION

A. Definition of genetic engineering

Genetic engineering refers to the direct manipulation of DNA to alter an
organism’s characteristics (phenotype) in a particular way. Genetic
engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process of altering
the DNA in an organism’s genome. This may mean changing one base
pair (A-T or C-G), deleting a whole region of DNA, or introducing an
additional copy of a gene.It may also mean extracting DNA from another
organism’s genome and combining it with the DNA of that individual. Genetic
engineering is used by scientists to enhance or modify the characteristics of an
individual organism.(https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-genetic-
engineering)
Genetic engineering can be applied to any organism, from a virus to a
sheep. For example, genetic engineering can be used to produce plants that
have a higher nutritional value or can tolerate exposure to
herbicide..(BBC.”Insulin.”Education Scotland. 14 Oct. 2008. 14 Oct 2008)
Genetically engineered food already represents a huge portion of the food
consumed in the United States, combined with further social acceptance,
increase research, genetic engineering can have benefits reaching far beyond
the table. Already demonstrated repeatedly in the field, it appears only crises
can bring the world to the realization of the tremendous benefits that genetic
engineering has to offer. “The man with insight enoug to admit his limitations
comes nearest to perfection.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Bren,
Linda.”Genetic Engineering The Future of Foods?” U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Nov.-Dec. 2003. 17 Sept. 2008)

B. Purpose of Genetic Engineering

Production of varieties of plants having particular desirable characteristics
(e.g., resistance or tolerance to disease, drought, ‘development of CMS line,

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 etc.). Improvement in the production of bio-chemical’s and commercially
important organic chemicals.Correction of genetic disorder in higher
organisms.
The sequencing of gene, the prerequisite for mapping the genome as well
as utilizing the gene for horizontal transfer involved in raising transgenic
organism.(http://www.biologydiscussion.com/genetic-engineering/genetic-
engineering-purpose-and-basic-steps-biotechnology/61387)

C. Benefits of Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering facilitates the manipulation and duplication of DNA
pieces, for industrial, medical and research purposes. Genetic engineering has
produced a revolution in molecular biology. Benefits of Genetic Engineering
are experienced in whole array of fields especially in agriculture, in
production of valuable proteins and vaccine production.The production of
technologies based on genetic engineering is often referred as modern
biotechnology. With the improvement of genetic engineering techniques, the
time for generating and evaluating new germplasm (a collection of genetic
resources for an organism) can be drastically reduced. Genetic engineering
may ultimately have their most significant effect on agriculture. Recent
advances have raised possibility of development of new plant germplasm
through introduction of any gene from any organism into
plant.(http://www.chemistrylearning.com/benefits-of-genetic-engineering/)
With respect to agriculture, modern biotechnology has been considered as
the second phase of green revolution. Organisms whose genes have been
altered by manipulation are called genetically modified organism (GMO). The
working of GMO is due to nature of transferred genes, nature of host organism
and food web formed. Some useful benefits of genetically modified plants in
agricultural biotechnology are:
1. Improved nutritional quality
2. Better Nitrogen Fixation
3. Disease resistant Plant

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 4. Enhanced efficiency of minerals used by plants to prevent early exhaustion
of fertility of soil
5. Reduced post harvest losses.
Another genetically modified food is golden rice (Pro Vitamin A
enriched). Several other genetically modified foods include, soybeans, corn,
cotton, seed oil etc have been formed. But many controversies are associated
with genetically modified food including environment and human safety,
ethics, food security, poverty reduction etc.Some success has been achieved in
developing varieties resistant to herbicides, viral diseases and insect pest.
Genetic engineering promises rapid acceleration of plant breeding efforts for
crop improvement. (“Benefits of Genetic Engineering.” Buzzle.com. 2008-
2009, 2010:n.p. Web. 25 May 2010)
A widely planted variety of genetically engineered corn has the potential
to harm aquatic ecosystems. Pollen and other plant parts containing toxins
from genetically engineered Bt corn are washing into streams near cornfields.
Consumption of Bt corn byproducts produced increased mortality and reduced
growth in caddisflies, aquatic insects that are related to the pests targeted by
the toxin in Bt corn. Researchers found caddisflies that were fed leaves from
Bt corn had growth rates that were less than half those of caddisflies fed non-
Bt corn litter. (Indiana University.”Genetically Engineering Corn Could Harm
Aquatic Ecosystems.”ScienceDaily 10 October 2007. 15 October 2008)

D. Process of Genetic Engineering

A small piece of circular DNA called a plasmid is extracted from the
bacteria or yeast cell.
1. A small section is then cut out of the circular plasmid by restriction
enzymes, ‘molecular scissors’
2. The gene for human insulin is inserted into the gap in the plasmid.
This plasmid is now genetically modified
3. The genetically modified plasmid is introduced into a new bacteria or
yeast cell

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4. This cell then divides rapidly and starts making insulin
5. To create large amounts of the cells, the genetically modified bacteria or
yeast are grown in large fermentation vessels that contain all the nutrients
they need. The more the cells divide, the more insulin is produced
6. When fermentation is complete, the mixture is filtered to release the
insulin
7. The insulin is then purified and packaged into bottles and insulin pens for
distribution to patients with diabetes.
(https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-genetic-engineering)

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-genetic-engineering

http://www.chemistrylearning.com/benefits-of-genetic-engineering/

http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-genetic-engineering-definition-benefits-
issues.html

http://www.biologydiscussion.com/genetic-engineering/genetic-engineering-
purpose-and-basic-steps-biotechnology/61387

http://sciencedefiance.weebly.com/genetic-engineering.html

BBC.”Insulin.”Education Scotland. 14 Oct. 2008. 14 Oct 2008

Bren, Linda.”Genetic Engineering The Future of Foods?” U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Nov.-Dec. 2003. 17 Sept. 2008

Hand, Eric.”Feeding Africa: A St. Louis Team Fights a Crop Killer.”St. Louis
Post-Dispatch 10 Dec. 2003:A1+SIRS Researcher. Proquest.

Indiana University.”Genetically Engineering Corn Could Harm Aquatic

Ecosystems.”ScienceDaily 10 October 2007. 15 October 2008

“Benefits of Genetic Engineering.” Buzzle.com. 2008-2009, 2010:n.p. Web. 25

May 2010.