Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering can be done by transferring a desirable from a donor organism into the of a recipient organism.

It is useful in agriculture and technology and has helped further scientific research.

Genetic engineering can be carried out on plants and animals.

Some of the most interesting tests by scientists are below:

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Banana vaccines
Hate injections? Scientists have discovered a way of turning the humble banana into a life saving vaccine. An engineered part of a virus is injected into the fruit where it multiplies thousands of times. When eaten, it produces antibodies which fight off deadly disease.
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Venomous cabbage
By injecting cabbages with scorpion venom, scientists have figured out a way of stopping pesky caterpillars from eating their way through an entire crop. Don't worry! The venom is altered to be safe for humans so there's no excuse for not eating your greens!
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Enviropig
Environmentally friendly pig poo. Who knew? Phosphorous is a harmful chemical found in pig manure. Canadian scientists have genetically engineered a pig embryo so that our curly tailed friends produce up to 70% less of the nasty stuff when nature calls.
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Spidergoat
No, it's not a comic. Researchers in the USA made a huge breakthrough when they inserted a spider gene into the DNA of goats. It meant the goats produced milk containing an extra protein, which can be spun into spider silk thread used in things like protective clothing and car interiors.

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