Editing Genetic engineering (section)

{{Short description|Manipulation of an organism's genome}}
{{About||a non-technical introduction to the topic of genetics|Introduction to genetics|the song by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark|Genetic Engineering (song)|the Montreal hardcore band|Genetic Control}}
{{Good article}}
<noinclude>{{pp-pc1}}</noinclude>
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Genetic engineering sidebar}}

'''Genetic engineering''', also called '''genetic modification''' or '''genetic manipulation''', is the modification and  manipulation of an organism's [[gene]]s using [[technology]]. It is a set of [[Genetic engineering techniques|technologies]] used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel [[organisms]]. New [[DNA]] is obtained by either isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using [[recombinant DNA]] methods or by [[Artificial gene synthesis|artificially synthesising]] the DNA. A [[Vector (molecular biology)|construct]] is usually created and used to insert this DNA into the host organism. The first recombinant DNA molecule was made by [[Paul Berg]] in 1972 by combining DNA from the monkey virus [[SV40]] with the [[Lambda phage|lambda virus]]. As well as inserting [[gene]]s, the process can be used to remove, or "[[Gene knockout|knock out]]", genes. The new DNA can be inserted randomly, or [[Gene targeting|targeted]] to a specific part of the [[genome]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Genetic Engineering|url=https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetic-Engineering|access-date=2022-02-20|website=Genome.gov|language=en}}</ref> 

An organism that is generated through genetic engineering is considered to be genetically modified (GM) and the resulting entity is a [[genetically modified organism]] (GMO). The first GMO was a [[Genetically modified bacterium|bacterium]] generated by [[Herbert Boyer]] and [[Stanley Norman Cohen|Stanley Cohen]] in 1973. [[Rudolf Jaenisch]] created the first GM animal when he inserted foreign DNA into a [[Genetically modified mouse|mouse]] in 1974. The first company to focus on genetic engineering, [[Genentech]], was founded in 1976 and started the production of human proteins. Genetically engineered human [[insulin]] was produced in 1978 and insulin-producing bacteria were commercialised in 1982. [[Genetically modified food]] has been sold since 1994, with the release of the [[Flavr Savr]] tomato. The Flavr Savr was engineered to have a longer shelf life, but most current GM crops are modified to increase resistance to insects and herbicides. [[GloFish]], the first GMO designed as a pet, was sold in the [[United States]] in December 2003. In 2016 [[AquAdvantage salmon|salmon]] modified with a growth hormone were sold.

Genetic engineering has been applied in numerous fields including research, medicine, industrial biotechnology and agriculture. In research, GMOs are used to study gene function and expression through loss of function, gain of function, tracking and expression experiments. By knocking out genes responsible for certain conditions it is possible to create [[Model organism|animal model organisms]] of human diseases. As well as producing hormones, vaccines and other drugs, genetic engineering has the potential to cure genetic diseases through [[gene therapy]]. [[Chinese hamster ovary cell|Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells]] are used in industrial genetic engineering. Additionally [[MRNA vaccine|mRNA vaccines]] are made through genetic engineering to prevent infections by viruses such as [[COVID-19 vaccine|COVID-19]]. The same techniques that are used to produce drugs can also have industrial applications such as producing enzymes for laundry detergent, cheeses and other products.

The rise of commercialised [[genetically modified crops]] has provided economic benefit to farmers in many different countries, but has also been the source of most of the [[Genetically modified food controversies|controversy]] surrounding the technology. This has been present since its early use; the first field trials were destroyed by anti-GM activists. Although there is a [[scientific consensus]] that currently available food derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food, critics consider GM food safety a leading concern. [[Gene flow]], impact on non-target organisms, control of the food supply and [[intellectual property]] rights have also been raised as potential issues. These concerns have led to the development of a regulatory framework, which started in 1975. It has led to an international treaty, the [[Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety]], that was adopted in 2000. Individual countries have developed their own regulatory systems regarding GMOs, with the most marked differences occurring between the United States and [[Europe]].

{{Quote box
| title = [[International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry|IUPAC]] definition
| quote = '''Genetic engineering''': Process of inserting new genetic information into existing cells in order to modify a specific organism for the purpose of changing its characteristics.

''Note'': Adapted from ref.<ref>{{cite web|website=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency online|title=Terms and Acronyms|url=http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/gterms.html|access-date= 16 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Vert M, Doi Y, Hellwich KH, Hess M, Hodge P, Kubisa P, Rinaudo M, Schué F |title=Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012) |journal=[[Pure and Applied Chemistry]] |year=2012 |volume=84 |issue=2 |pages=377–410 |doi=10.1351/PAC-REC-10-12-04 |s2cid=98107080 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
| align = right
| width = 30%
}}