This GCSE Biology quiz takes a look at the genetic engineering of plants, animals and bacteria, and how we use genetic engineering in the fields of farming and medicine.
Insulin, vaccines and growth hormone are examples of proteins made using genetic engineering and are very important drugs used in humans. Genetic engineering involves removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another organism, for example a type of bacteria. The bacteria will then multiply and make the protein instructed by that gene. Genes are cut from human chromosomes using enzymes and pasted into other organisms including plants and animals. If this is done early in development, the organism will develop new features such as better growth or resistance to disease.