Group+5

an style="font-size: 22px;">Group 5- Genetically Modified Food- Pro __ Your first task is to research the issue of genetically modified food. The information to include:
 * 1) 1. The definition of biotechnology, genetic engineering and ethics
 * 2) The definition of genetically modified food
 * 3) A __description__ of how genetically modified food is produced
 * 4) What foods in the United State are genetically modified
 * 5) What scientists hope to accomplish through the utilization of genetically modified food
 * 6) Something else that you found interesting about genetically modified food

In order to fulfill the requirements of the assignment, as a group, you must place all the above information on this WIki page. You must include a link to a webpage that contains information on genetically modified food. Once you have completed this Wiki page, you will be asked to argue that using genetically modified food should be allowed in the United States. You must EACH be able to argue at LEAST 3 points in favor of the use of genetically modified food. This will be done in a forum on Moodle. Keep in mind that I can (and will) check to see who adds things to this Wiki page, be sure to do your part and be an active participant in this assignment!!

1. Definition of biotechnology: the use of living organisms in making products or to manage the environment

Definition of Genetic engineering: . the application of methods that permit manipulation of genetic material to alter hereditary traits

Definition of ethics: . system of moral principles

2. Definition of Genetically engineered food:

Genetically engineered foods have had foreign genes (genes from other plants or animals) inserted into their genetic codes.

Genetic engineering can be done with plants, animals, or microorganisms. Historically, farmers bred plants and animals for thousands of years to produce the desired traits. For example, they produced dogs ranging from poodles to Great Danes, and roses from sweet-smelling miniatures to today's long-lasting, but scent-free reds.

Selective breeding over time created these wide variations, but the process depended on nature to produce the desired gene. Humans then chose to mate individual animals or plants that carried the particular gene in order to make the desired characteristics more common or more pronounced.

Genetic engineering allows scientists to speed this process up by moving desired genes from one plant into another -- or even from an animal to a plant or vice versa.

3. Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion of genes. In the process of cisgenesis, genes are artificially transferred between organisms that could be conventionally bred. In the process of transgenesis, genes from a different species are inserted, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. In nature this can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason. To do this artificially may require transferring genes as part of an attenuated virus genome or physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host using a microsyringe, or as a coating on gold nanoparticles fired from a gene gun. However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of Agrobacterium to transfer genetic material to plants, and the ability of lentiviruses to transfer genes to animal cells.