What is genetic modification?

Question

i'm now doing my GCSEs and i can't quite understand the topic of GENETIC MODIFICATION. Could anyone answer this in simple terms please.

Answer 1

Genetic modification is the direct manipulation of the genes of an organism.  By manipulation, they usually mean inserting a chosen gene into an organism's DNA.  By doing so, they can give that organism selected traits.

Genetic modification is most commonly done with food crops.  For example, if you have a breed of corn that has great root structure (so it doesn't fall over in the wind) but really tiny ears of corn, you can insert a gene from a plant that has giant ears of corn... and then hopefully you will have both great root structure AND giant ears of corn.

Genetic modification normally isn't anything outside of what people used to do by selective breeding.  You have one show dog with great stature and you mate that show dog with one that has a good temperament.  However, genetic modification can be done directly rather than through trial and error of generations.

Answer 2

Alteration of the genes by manipulating them is genetic modification.

This helps in incorporating desired characteristics by changing the genetic code.