Evaluating Genetic Engineering & Selective Breeding Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

Give two benefits of making a painkiller using genetically modified yeast instead of extracting it from opium poppies.

Any two: yeast grows rapidly so yield is higher, production is faster and cheaper, it takes up less space, and growth is not weather dependent.

Give two risks or concerns of producing a medicine using genetically modified organisms.

Any two: the GM organisms could enter the environment, the drug may not be identical or as effective, possible health risks, and the GM organism could be used to manufacture drugs illegally.

Why are scientists genetically engineering animals for organ transplants?

There are not enough human donors, so it would increase the number of organs available to meet the demand for transplants.

Why are some crops genetically modified to be herbicide-resistant?

Herbicide can be sprayed over the whole field: the weeds die but the crop survives, so it has less competition and gives a higher yield.

How could growing a herbicide-resistant GM crop lead to 'superweeds'?

The herbicide-resistance gene could transfer to wild plants or weeds, making them resistant to the herbicide too.