Gene technology

Gene technology involves the modification of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the chemical that makes up the genetic code of living things. The use of gene technology to produce a genetically modified organism may involve:

  • eliminating a gene,
  • altering a gene,
  • adding extra copies of an existing gene, or
  • adding a gene from another organism.

The new or altered genes change the way in which cells function and so, change the characteristics of the organism. When DNA from an organism is modified using gene technology, the organism is then referred to as a genetically modified organism. The DNA on its own isn’t.

The first mice to contain human DNA were born in 1976.

How gene technology is carried out - work sheet [PDF 66kb | 3 pages]