 Explain what genetic engineering is and some of the challenges that this technology can create.

The Challenges of Genetic Engineering

How does DNA work?

microinjection or electroporation
Transposon

Exogenous genes

What is genetic engineering?

Genetic Engineering is a field of science in which the traits and characteristics of an organism is
altered. Genetic engineering is a type of phenotype alteration. Genetic engineering is conducted
through the alteration of DNA. This may include removing a region of DNA from the genome or
changing a base pair to achieve the desired results. (YourGenome, 2017)

Genetic Engineering is used to change certain characteristics of an organism. This can be done by
removing a gene from one organism then modifying it so that it is compatible with another recipient
organism. The new gene is called the transgene. The transgene is then transferred into the recipient
organism, altering the DNA makeup of the recipient organism. (University of Nebraska, 2005) These
transgenes are usually placed into the germ cells of the recipient organism and the gene spreads to
the rest of the organism. An example of this is the Tol2-mediated Zebra fish (Felker , Mosimann,
2016)

E
The tol2-mediated Zebra fish has had the exogenous transposable gene of Tl2 microinjected into single cell
embryos.

Methods of Genetic Engineering

microinjection or electroporation
Challenges
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091679X16000108

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215771/

http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/basic_genetics.shtml

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

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/transgenic-
zebrafish