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Year 11
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Higher

Genetic engineering, including the main steps

I can describe what genetic engineering is, some potential benefits, risks and ethical issues and the main steps in the process.

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Year 11
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Higher

Genetic engineering, including the main steps

I can describe what genetic engineering is, some potential benefits, risks and ethical issues and the main steps in the process.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Genetic engineering involves modifying the genome of an organism by adding DNA from another organism.
  2. The aim of genetic engineering is to introduce a desirable characteristic.
  3. Examples of genetically engineering crop plants and bacteria to benefit humans.
  4. Benefits must be weighed against risks and ethical issues.
  5. The main steps in the process of genetic engineering.

Keywords

  • Gene - a section of DNA carrying the genetic code that provides the instructions for a feature or process

  • Genetic engineering - the process of introducing a gene from one organism into the genome of another organism

  • Risk - the chance that an outcome (usually a negative one) will occur

  • Ethical question - a question about whether something is right or wrong

  • Vector - a plasmid or virus used to introduce a gene from one organism into the genome of another organism

Common misconception

Over-estimating the risks of genetic engineering and genetically modified (GM) organisms.

The lesson explores the need to weigh up possible benefits, risks and ethical questions when making decisions about genetic engineering.


To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Genetic engineering, including the main steps, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When exploring the examples, ask pupils to practice suggesting for themselves the possible benefits and risks (and to whom), and identifying ethical questions. Use prompt questions or a simple writing frame to guide their thinking.
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Adult supervision recommended

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the molecule that contains the genetic code in all organisms ?
lipids
proteins
RNA
Correct answer: DNA
Q2.
__________ are long, thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins, found in the nucleus of cells.
Cells
Correct answer: Chromosomes
Genes
Nuclei
Q3.
__________ is a section of DNA carrying the genetic code that provides the instructions for a feature or process.
An amino acid
Correct answer: A gene
A nucleotide
A protein
Q4.
What are the building blocks (monomers) for DNA?
Correct answer: nucleotides
amino acids
proteins
lipids
Q5.
Proteins are long chains of ...
Correct answer: amino acids.
carbohydrates.
lipids.
nucleotides.
Q6.
Where is the DNA found in prokaryotic cells?
in the nucleus
in the cell wall
in the vacuole
Correct answer: in the cytoplasm

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main goal of genetic engineering?
to eliminate undesirable characteristics
to increase genetic diversity
Correct answer: to introduce desirable characteristics
to randomly change DNA
Q2.
What is a potential risk of genetically modified crops?
native species outcompeting GM organisms
crops with an increased nutritional value being grown
Correct answer: GM genes being transferred to other organisms in the wild
crops that are resistant to pests being grown
Q3.
What is one ethical consideration in genetic engineering?
the complexity of the process
the cost of genetic engineering
the speed of genetic modifications
Correct answer: whether it is right to modify the genetic material of living organisms
Q4.
What is one benefit of producing bacteria that can produce insulin?
an increased pest resistance in crops
an increased crop yield
Correct answer: an improved diabetes treatment
improved food security
Q5.
Put the main steps involved in genetic engineering in the correct order.
1 - using a restriction enzyme to isolate a desirable gene
2 - using a ligase enzyme to insert the desirable gene into a vector
3 - using a vector to insert the desirable gene into the target cells
4 - selecting cells that have taken up the desirable gene
5 - growing genetically modified organisms from selected cells
Q6.
Which enzyme is used to join vector DNA and desirable gene DNA together at the 'sticky ends'?
Correct answer: a ligase enzyme
a restriction enzyme
a polymerase enzyme
a reverse transcriptase enzyme