Question

Genetic Modification Technologies. When did humans start trying to genetically modify living things? What types of animals and plants were the first to be genetically modified by humans?

Answer 1

Humans have been modifying living organisms for thousands of years through selective breeding and traditional agricultural practices. However, the advent of modern genetic modification technologies began in the latter half of the 20th century.

1. **Early Practices**: Selective breeding of plants and animals can be traced back to ancient agricultural societies. For example, the domestication of wheat, rice, and livestock like sheep and cattle occurred over 10,000 years ago. This early form of genetic modification involved choosing specific traits to enhance food production, yield, and other desirable characteristics.

2. **Modern Genetic Modification**: The first modern genetic modification of an organism took place in the 1970s with the development of recombinant DNA technology. This approach allowed scientists to manipulate specific genes directly.

3. **First Genetically Modified Organisms**:
- **Plants**: One of the first genetically modified plants was a strain of tobacco in 1982. Scientists were able to introduce a gene that conferred resistance to certain herbicides.
- **Animals**: The first genetically modified animal was a mouse named "OncoMouse," created in 1988. It was engineered to develop cancer, making it a valuable model for cancer research.

Since these initial experiments, genetic modification has been applied to a variety of plants and animals, including corn, soybeans, cotton, and various livestock species, leading to crops that are resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental conditions.

As genetic modification technology has advanced, it has continued to evolve, with CRISPR and other genome editing techniques now enabling even more precise genetic modifications.