Online Resources

What is genetic modification?
Broadly speaking, genetic modification is nothing new. People have been modifying the genes of plants, animals and microbes for thousands of years—even before they knew what a ‘gene’ was.
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Early plant and animal breeders would choose individual organisms with desirable traits and use methods such as selective breeding to achieve the result they wanted: bigger and sweeter fruit, perhaps, or dogs that were loyal and easy to train.
What Is CRISPR Gene Editing?
CRISPR is a type of gene-editing technology that lets scientists more rapidly and accurately 'cut' and 'paste' genes into DNA. It is based on a targeted DNA-destroying defence system originally found in certain prokaryotes.
Gene technology
As Australia’s national research agency CSIRO plays a key role in the development and deployment of important technologies to benefit Australia’s people, industries and environment. As part of this, there is a broad spectrum of gene technology-related research happening across CSIRO.
Intro to biotechnology
What biotechnology is. Overview of DNA technology. Ethical questions in biotechnology.
The DARK Side of CRISPR
What are the Ethical Concerns of Genome Editing?
Most of the ethical discussions related to genome editing center around human germline because editing changes made in the germline would be passed down to future generations.
Epigenetics and health
It’s not ALL in the genes—the role of epigenetics
12 Bizarre Examples of Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology
If you could save lives by producing vaccines in transgenic bananas, would you? In the debate over large-scale commercialization and use of GMOs, where should we draw the line?
Transgenic Animals in Agriculture
The production of transgenic livestock has the opportunity to significantly improve human health, enhance nutrition, protect the environment, increase animal welfare, and decrease livestock disease.
Transgenic Plants
Impacts of genetically modified animals on the ecosystem and human activities
Transgenic plants for animal health: plant-made vaccine antigens for animal infectious disease control
Genetically modified (GM) crops in Australia
Information on genetically modified organisms

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Benefits of organic food

Food labeling and what you should know

50 countries have passed GMO food labelling law

Contribution of biotech crops to sustainability

Online Videos

Genetic engineering may be one of the greatest breakthroughs in recent history alongside the discovery of the atom and space flight, however, with considerable public concern surrounding this issue, the UK government has produced legislation to control what sort of experiments are done involving genetic engineering

This program discusses genetic issues and the problems and possibilities of genetic technology.

Gene editing can now change an entire species -- forever | Jennifer Kahn

News / Research

What Is Genetic Modification?
Genetic modification is the process of altering the genetic makeup of an organism.
COVID-19 and gene editing: ethical and legal considerations
There are three potential ways that CRISPR may help fight COVID-19:
Experiences in Childhood Can Alter Your DNA For The Rest of Your Life
Where once our biology was considered a genetic destiny, we've come to understand that even subtle environmental phenomena can have a knock-on effect that results in the silencing of key genes.
Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny
Can epigenetic changes be permanent? Possibly, but it's important to remember that epigenetics isn't evolution. It doesn't change DNA. Epigenetic changes represent a biological response to an environmental stressor.
Pro and Con: Should Gene Editing Be Performed on Human Embryos?
The most potent use of the new gene editing technique CRISPR is also the most controversial: tweaking the genomes of human embryos to eliminate genes that cause disease. We don’t allow it now. Should we ever?
Why We Need GMO Crops in Agriculture
The ethics of growing genetically modified food alongside organics far from clear cut
Genetically Modified Foods and Social Concerns
Long-term analysis shows GM cotton no match for insects in India
In India, Bt cotton is the most widely planted cotton crop by acreage, and it is hugely controversial. Supporters long touted increased yields and reduced pesticides to justify its pickup. But that argument does not hold up under the first long-term study of Bt cotton impacts in India.
America's most widely consumed oil causes genetic changes in the brain
New research shows soybean oil not only leads to obesity and diabetes, but could also affect neurological conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and depression.

VCE Biology Unit 4: Genetic Modification/techniques