Genetic engineering refers to the direct manipulation of DNA to alter an organism’s characteristics (phenotype) in a particular way.

What is genetic engineering?_______🤦

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.
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 herbicides.

How does genetic engineering work?____🌎

To help explain the process of genetic engineering we have taken the example of insulin, a protein? that helps regulate the sugar levels in our blood.

Normally insulin? is produced in the pancreas?, but in people with type 1 diabetes? there is a problem with insulin production.
People with diabetes therefore have to inject insulin to control their blood sugar levels.
Genetic engineering has been used to produce a type of insulin, very similar to our own, from yeast and bacteria? like E. coli?.
This genetically modified insulin, ‘Humulin’ was licensed for human use in 1982.

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’.
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.
This cell then divides rapidly and starts making insulin.
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.
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.

Hope it helps..______

Importance of Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering plays a significant role in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. It involves altering the DNA of an organism to introduce specific traits or characteristics, leading to numerous benefits.

Medical Advancements
- Genetic engineering has revolutionized the medical field by allowing the development of new treatments and therapies for genetic disorders.
- It has enabled the production of insulin, growth hormones, and other essential proteins through genetically modified organisms.
- Gene editing techniques like CRISPR have the potential to treat genetic diseases by correcting faulty genes.

Agricultural Innovation
- Genetic engineering has improved crop yields, nutritional content, and resistance to pests and diseases.
- Through genetic modification, crops can be developed to thrive in harsh environmental conditions, addressing food security challenges.
- Genetically engineered crops have reduced the need for chemical pesticides, benefiting both the environment and human health.

Biotechnological Applications
- Genetic engineering is used in the production of biofuels, enzymes, and pharmaceuticals, contributing to sustainable and efficient industrial processes.
- It allows for the creation of genetically modified organisms that can break down pollutants and contaminants in the environment.
- The ability to modify genes has opened up new possibilities in research and development across various scientific disciplines.

In conclusion, genetic engineering is a powerful tool that has the potential to address global challenges, improve human health, and drive innovation in various industries. Its importance lies in its ability to manipulate genetic material for beneficial purposes, shaping the future of science and technology.