GENETIC ENGINEERING

Genetic engineering (for students)

Genetic engineering is the                manipulation of the  ___________ material of an organism. in a way that ________ occurs under __________ conditions. Any organism generated by using these techniques is considered a                     modified organism (GMO).

The first organisms genetically modified were ___________ in 1973.  GM human __________, produced by bacteria, was commercialized in _______ and you can buy GM ________ in some countries since 1994.

The ________ idea in genetic engineering is to move _________ genes from the DNA of one organism to the __________ of another one. This process includes three parts:

1^st. Cutting the DNA. The useful gene is “______” from the chromosomes of a particular organism using special  ____________. 

2^nd Inserting the new DNA. Once the enzyme has cut the useful ______, other enzymes cut the ________ of the cell that is going to receive it (this cell is called the ______ cell). Then the useful gene is __________ into the host cell.  This technique is called gene __________. To do that, ________ usually use some ________ which enter the host cell and insert the new gene.

3^rd. Pasting the New DNA. Once the useful gene has been inserted into the host cell, scientists ________ the useful gene to the DNA of the host cell.  When this process finishes, the cell considers the ______ gene as one of its own genes.

Genetic engineering techniques are being applied in many __________ including _________, _____________ and medicine. ____________drugs such as insulin and human growth ___________ are now produced by bacteria, and insect __________ crops are being commercialized.

However, there are many ____________ about genetic engineering, so many people consider this technique as ___________ for both environment and human _________.

Due to that, some _____________ in Europe have decided to ______ GM crops in their countries, and the European Parliament decided in 2002 that all _______ containing or derived from genetically modified __________ has to have especial ______.

1.    Read the text and try to guess the missing words 

2.    Listen to the teacher reading the text twice, and fill the gaps in.

3.    Correct your answers.

4.    Answer  the following questions:

A.    Define genetic engineering and explain how this technique works.

B.    Give examples of areas in which genetic engineering is being applied. Look for some extra information on the Internet.

C.   Why are many people against genetic engineering in crops and food? Do you agree with them?