Applications of gene technology — A/L Biology

A. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Definition: Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, resulting in organisms with new traits or characteristics not found in nature. Explanation: Genetically Modified Organisms are created by inserting foreign DNA from another species into an organism's genome. This process allows scientists to transfer desirable traits between organisms that wouldn't normally breed together. The modification can involve adding new genes, removing existing genes, or altering the expression of existing genes. GMOs are created to enhance specific characteristics like disease resistance, nutritional content, or growth rate. This technology represents a significant advancement in biotechnology with applications across medicine, agriculture, and industry. Think of it as: Creating a GMO is like editing a recipe book - you take the best recipes (genes) from different cookbooks (organisms) and combine them into one super cookbook that produces better dishes (traits).