What is the difference between cloning and genetic modification (GM)?
Genetic modification and cloning are not the same. Cloning provides an exact copy. Cloned genes can only be copied in the same species. Genetic modification (genetic engineering) something scientists do to pick out a specific set of genes and place these genes in an organism where the traits would be helpful. This can happen across species. Take corn, for example. No one likes pests eating their corn. So, scientists found a naturally occurring bacteria called Bt. This bacteria usually lives in the soil, but scientists were able to extract the gene that kills insects from this bacteria. By adding this gene to a corn plant, it can naturally fend off pests.
Lesson
Free
4th - 8th
Environment
