Video on Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic code by artificial means, and is therefore different from traditional selective breeding.

Huge number of other educational resources on this site about Genetic engineering. 290,000 views of this article.

Genetic engineering examples include taking the gene that programs poison in the tail of a scorpion, and combining it with a cabbage.  These genetically modified cabbages kill caterpillers because they have learned to grow scorpion poison (insecticide) in their sap.

Genetic engineering also includes insertion of human genes into sheep so that they secrete alpha-1 antitrypsin in their milk - a useful substance in treating some cases of lung disease.

Genetic engineering has created a chicken with four legs and no wings.

Genetic engineering has created a goat with spider genes that creates "silk" in its milk.

Genetic engineering works because there is one language of life:  human genes work in bacteria, monkey genes work in mice and earthworms.  Tree genes work in bananas and frog genes work in rice.  There is no limit in theory to the potential of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering has given us the power to alter the very basis of life on earth.

Genetic engineering has been said to be no different than ancient breeding methods but this is untrue.  For a start, breeding or cross-breeding, or in-breeding (for example to make pedigree dogs) all work by using the same species. In contrast genetic engineering allows us to combine fish, mouse, human and insect genes in the same person or animal.

Genetic engineering therefore has few limits - except our imagination, and our moral or ethical code.

Genetic engineering makes the whole digital revolution look nothing.  Digital technology changes what we do.  Genetic engineering has the power to change who we are.

Human cloning is a type of genetic engineering, but is not the same as true genetic manipulation.  In human cloning, the aim is to duplicate the genes of an existing person so that an identical set is inside a human egg.  The result is intended to be a cloned twin, perhaps of a dead child.  Genetic engineering in its fullest form would result in the child produced having unique genes - as a result of laboratory interference, and therefore the child will not be an identikit twin.

Genetic engineering could create crops that grow in desert heat, or without fertiliser.  Genetic engineering could make bananas or other fruit which contain vaccines or other medical products.

Genetic engineering is helped by the fact that it only costs $1000 to analyse someone's genetic code (sequencing of genome) - down from $800m in 2001.

Genetic engineering is aided by techniques such as Crispr which allow scientists to swop genes between humans or between animals and humans or between animals, in a very precise and controlled way.

Genetic engineering will alter the basis of life on earth - permanently - unless controlled.  This could happen if - say - mutant viruses, or bacteria, or fish or reptiles are released into the general environment.

So what do YOU think about genetic engineering?  Do post your own comments in the box below.

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The Genetic Revolution

Dr Patrick Dixon
Dr Patrick Dixon MBE

Futurist keynote speaker and author of 19 books. Thirty years forecasting global trends for more than 400 clients, in every industry.

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110 comments

What are your own views? Comments are moderated before they appear.

  1. rajasekhar ·

    sir i want complete in agriculture diploma and I am interested in genetic engineering in agriculture and please givr me admission process

  2. shraddha ·

    hiii I make genetic enginer plzzz help mi

  3. liam ·

    no

    1. ttttttt ·

      i need information about genetic engineering

  4. susan pita ·

    engineering has helped me a lot in science......thank you

  5. Captain K-Baby Jr. VIII ·

    dear sir,

    i am 14 yaers old and reading in 8th closs in india. i like to persue diploma in genetic engineering within india or outside india immediatley after passing 10th class. please guide me in this regard.

    Captain K-Baby Jr. VIII

    1. K-baby ·

      Hi Indian boy I'd like to congratulate you on your path to finishing 10th grade. Your determination and interest in genetic engineering is what many of my students come with here at Maharashtra school of engineering in engineering. I'd like you to take this opportunity to consider emailing me to give you a placement at my academy. I assume you have already started in this course however I believe your experience gained from this would be credential towards enrolling here.

      Thank you

      please reply A.S.A.P

  6. kalaiarasi ·

    which colleage in india is best for geneticengineering

  7. priya ·

    sir , i'm studying 12th standard i want to know what are the important subjects for bio technology/

    1. PradeeP Sirohi ·

      hlo priya

      if u r interested to go to the research field, i suggest to try in the field of nanotechnology. biotechnology itself a subject containing genetic engineering, stem cells technique, cloning, fingerprinting etc.

  8. jess ·

    Dear sir, I wann more informatio...???

    thank you...

    1. Patrick Dixon Author ·

      Thanks - what kind of information do you need? Is this for a project of some kind?

  9. WHY?!?! ·

    wow you people are crazy!?!?!

  10. abadai ·

    heey

  11. Ephraim ·

    IfxNRtlNuWZydAs much as I think we need change, ainyhtng involving government change isn't going to happen (lobbyists, money, corruption, etc.). It's going to take social change, and whatever the answer is it can't involve higher prices or harder to find quantities. Unfortunately, it may take a disaster of some sorts to move social practice.

  12. faafouina fruean ·

    hey ! how does genetic engeering work ?

  13. Tracie ·

    BRCA1 geneWas this created? How did I get it? Genetics from mom or something invented by scentists?

  14. frens for all ·

    my openionI m a student and i am reading in grade ten. I m worried about my future soooooooo i m thinking to know about this so that i can go in this related field and i must say its favoulous and interesting subject to learn :p

    1. serah ·

      yeah im in grade ten too , and im really interested in this subject ! it suits my abilities , but i heard that it needs a lot of time to learn ( about ten years ) :( is that true ?moreover i just want to know where is the best place to learn it , and where can we find jobs for it :)

    2. Patrick Dixon Author ·

      You need to study science in High School and at College, then specialise in biotech.

  15. astipack ·

    genitic engeneeringgive me an importance and advantages of genitic engeneering

  16. No name ·

    EnglishResearching Gatticca, this helped me with understanding more about the film. :)

  17. e-e ·

    2012 not the endIt wont be the end of the world. I know the math. when Ceaser made leap years there was a extra day every four years. so when I found how many leap years there where so far i found that the end would have been 7 months ago.

    1. kimmy n ·

      Re: 2012 not the endagree

  18. prosper nevile ·

    InformationHi what's up

    About genetic engineering try look on Campbell text book 7th edition

  19. charlie outhwaite ·

    Re: Need some assistancenaa ur a terd

  20. Charlotte ·

    even thoughif d world ends in 2012 or nt check ur life r u livin rite.genetic engineerin is cool bt God had a reason 4 its discovery

    1. sdsfsd ·

      Re: even thoughthis is science we're talking about, please, talk about something that's real

    2. tom webster ·

      Re: even thoughlearn how to use proper grammar