General Information

    genetic engineering
  n.
        Scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism. It involves the production and use of recombinant DNA and has been employed to create bacteria that synthesize insulin and other human proteins.

   DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) is responsible for everything that makes an organism unique.  DNA carries the instructions for the life processes of each cell of the organism. . Thus, we are introduced to the area of the DNA that is associated with an organism's specific features and functions (or dysfunctions) known as genes.

    In the past 20 years or so, scientists have used enzymes to custom-make  DNA by splicing different genes together.  Vectors  were also formed to help alter the genetic info stored in genes.  These vectors are strands of DNA that infect a cell and insert themselves into its DNA.  This also goes along with the idea of recombinant DNA, which involves inserting a gene into the genome of another organism.

    Scientists soon began to construct vectors which inserted specific pre-chosen genes into the DNA of living organisms. The job of the Genetic Engineer today is to improve certain aspects of living organisms so as to prevent diseases or malfunctions of the cells within.  One example is seen in the food industry and that of the tomato in particular.  The tomato is known to have a short growing season due to it's sensitivity to frost.  Genetic Engineers were able to locate a gene in a fish that allows it to survive the cold water and then inserted this frost resistant gene into the tomato.  Thus the tomato can grow for a longer time, allowing the consumer to choose bigger and juicier tomatoes. 

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