Creating Transgenic Plants and Animals

Transgenic organisms are genetically engineered to carry a transgene, which is a gene from a different species, in their genome. The inserted gene may be a new gene for that organism or a different version of one it already has. Scientists usually make transgenes with recombinant DNA and DNA cloning methods.

Scientists can genetically engineer organisms by transferring a gene of interest, such as the Bt toxin gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, into another organism, such as cotton. This allows the recipient organism to produce the Bt toxin protein, which protects the plant against specific insect pests.

The organism from which the gene o...