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Genetic engineering involves manipulating
DNA for practical purposes
U4MIMH141
Mastering
Biology
°
Guided Video Tour
forModule6.13
The history of science demonstrates that after researchers understand a natural phenomenon, they often
use this knowledge to manipulate the natural world. So it is with our understanding of DNA. Gaining
knowledge of the structure and function of DNA led to the development of several important technologies
that are used to manipulate DNA for practical purposes. Here, you can see some of the basic methods for
working with DNA in the laboratory and some of the products that result.
DNA CAN BE MIXED AND MATCHED
Because the hereditary information of all life is written in the identical chemical language of
DNA, a gene from one species may be cut and pasted into the DNA of a different species. Genetic
engineers have produced many such organisms. For example, biologists have made mice (as well
as fish, cats, and monkeys) that contain a glow gene from a jelly (jellyfish), and many of our food
crops are genetically modified to contain beneficial genes from other organisms.
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- Spring '18
- Geometry, DNA, Genetic Engineering, Food and Drug Administration
