Genetic engineering (GE for short) is about scientists altering the 'recipes' for making life the genes which you find in all living things. Doing this is very clever and seems to be very useful. Back in the 1990s, many 'Greens' campaigned against genetic engineering and still do. They predicted disaster but that hasn't happened. Nobody has died from eating genetically modified (GM) food. They were also worried about the private GE companies' ownership of the recipes genes for making these new life forms. So is genetic engineering okay? My guide explains the basics but it's up to you to make up your own mind about GE.

Finding your way around my GE Guide You can jump to any part that interests you from the table below. If you want to start at the beginning, click the green arrow below (forward to 'Genes, snails and whales').

Table of contents

Genes, snails and whales What makes you human or me a penguin? What are genes?

Tried and tested Life on Earth has been around for a long time so it's been well tested.

Adapt or die Only the fittest life survives. Here's how it does it.

Coils and corkscrews About that incredible stuff DNA.

Copycat: How DNA copies itself.

More here:
Genetic engineering: a guide for kids by Tiki the Penguin

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