Question

Select the statement(s) that are accurate examples of genetic engineering.


A scientist is studying a strain of bacteria and finds a gene that slows down reproduction. The scientist removes the spliced gene and inserts it into a bacteria strain that reproduces too quickly.


A person found two dogs with traits they liked and bred them so that the offspring would have those traits.


A corn plant is engineered to have more corn cobs on each stalk.


Scientists took the genes from jellyfish and put them in the DNA of a cat so that its fur would glow in the dark.


A farmer took a cutting of a plant with a trait they wanted to mass-produce and planted only those cuttings in the new crop.

Answer 1

Accurate examples of genetic engineering: statements 1, 3, and 4.

- 1 (gene removed and inserted into another bacteria): this is direct gene transfer — genetic engineering.
- 3 (corn plant engineered to have more cobs): the wording indicates the trait was produced by engineering (direct genetic modification).
- 4 (jellyfish genes put into a cat to make it glow): transgenic modification — genetic engineering.

Not genetic engineering:
- 2 (breeding two dogs for desired traits): this is selective breeding/artificial selection, not direct gene manipulation.
- 5 (plant cuttings planted to propagate a trait): this is cloning/vegetative propagation, not genetic engineering.