USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Practice Exam

What process is exemplified by the modification of bacterial DNA to produce human insulin?

1. Cloning

2. Genetic engineering

3. Gene therapy

4. Cryopreservation

The correct answer is: Genetic engineering

The process exemplified by the modification of bacterial DNA to produce human insulin is genetic engineering. This process involves directly manipulating the genetic material of an organism, which allows scientists to introduce specific genes into the DNA of another organism—in this case, inserting the human insulin gene into bacterial DNA. This transformation enables bacteria to synthesize insulin that is structurally identical to human insulin. Genetic engineering is crucial in biotechnology and medicine, as it provides a method to produce human proteins in microorganisms, leveraging their fast growth and ability to produce large quantities of the desired product. The ability to create human insulin in bacteria has significantly improved diabetes treatment, making insulin more accessible and reducing reliance on animal sources. Cloning typically refers to creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, tissue, or cell, which does not directly apply to the process of modifying bacteria for insulin production. Gene therapy involves correcting defective genes within an individual's cells to treat genetic disorders, focusing more on therapeutic applications rather than protein production. Cryopreservation refers to the preservation of cells or tissues by cooling them to very low temperatures and is unrelated to the genetic modification of organisms. Thus, genetic engineering is the most accurate descriptor of the process in question.