Altering the Biological Blueprint: The Science of Genetic EngineeringThe idea of custom-made life-forms would once have been pure science fiction. Not any more, however, thanks to genetic engineering. Genetic engineering already allows single-cell bacteria to work as drug-making factories. It has made possible new types of plants that resist diseases. It could lead to cures for cancers and other fatal illnesses. Genetic engineers work with DNA, the molecule that genes are made of. They insert new genes into animals, plants, bacteria, and other organisms. Their work, however, has raised ethical concerns. Should humans tamper with the blueprint of life? Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind genetic engineering. |
Common terms and phrases
26 March adult allow altered animals antibiotics antigen approved bacteria bacterium bases become blood body body cell bone called caused changes Chapter chemical chromosome clones codes companies concerned containing copies create crops damage defective gene develop Diatoms discover disease dish disorder divide drug embryos engi entire ethical example fatty acids fuel gene therapy Genetic researchers Genetic scientists genetically engineered genetically modified Genome Project give glue goats grow harm heart hepatitis hormone Human Genome Project identical identify immune system important infected inherited injected insert insulin involved killed kind laboratory lead living mammal March material microbes microscope milk molecule neered normal organisms pieces of DNA pigs plants plasmid produce protein removed resistance scissors shape shell shoots species spider silk spliced stem cells strand structure sugar Synthetic Genomics things trait transfer transgenic treat types virus