Genetic Engineering
                     GENETIC 
ENGINEERING
What is genetic 
engineering?
Genetic engineering refers to the 
direct manipulation of DNA to alter an 
organism’s characteristics (phenotype) 
in a particular way. 
Source: www.yourgenome.org
How does genetic 
engineering work?
Normally insulin is produced in the 
pancreas, but in people with type 1 
diabetes there is a problem with 
insulin production.
Genetic engineering has been used to 
produce a type of insulin, very similar 
to our own, from yeast and bacteria 
like E. coli. 
Source: www.yourgenome.org
The genetic 
engineering process
A small piece of circular DNA called a 
plasmid is extracted from the bacteria 
or yeast cell.
A small section is then cut out of the 
circular plasmid by restriction 
enzymes, ‘molecular scissors’.
Source: www.yourgenome.org
The genetic engineering 
process cont.
The gene for human insulin is inserted 
into the gap in the plasmid. This 
plasmid is now genetically modified.
The genetically modified plasmid is 
introduced into a new bacteria or 
yeast cell.
Source: www.yourgenome.org
The genetic engineering 
process cont.
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.
Source: www.yourgenome.org
The genetic engineering 
process cont.
When fermentation is complete, the 
mixture is filtered to release the 
insulin.
The insulin is then purified and 
packaged into bottles and insulin pens 
for distribution to patients with 
diabetes.
Source: www.yourgenome.org
What else is genetic 
engineering used for?
The first genetically modified organism 
to be created was a bacterium, in 
1973.
In 1974, the same techniques were 
applied to mice.
Source: www.yourgenome.org
Genetically 
modified foods
Genetic engineering has a number of 
useful applications, including scientific 
research, agriculture and technology.
In 1994 the first genetically modified 
foods were made available
Source: www.yourgenome.org
Genetic engineering 
in plants
In plants, genetic engineering has 
been applied to improve the resilience, 
nutritional value and growth rate of 
crops such as potatoes, tomatoes and 
rice.
Source: www.yourgenome.org
Genetic engineering 
in animals
In animals it has been used to develop 
sheep that produce a therapeutic 
protein in their milk that can be used 
to treat cystic fibrosis, or worms that 
glow in the dark to allow scientists to 
learn more about diseases such as 
Alzheimer’s.
Source: www.yourgenome.org