Transference of genetic material from the genes of one species to those of another by uniting a portion of the DNA of one organism with extranuclear sections of DNA from another organism (also called gene-splicing). Such recombinant molecules will replicate in the same way as in normal DNA behavior. This technique is being utilized in basic genetic research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.There have been a number of outstanding achievements in genetic engineering in which bacteria are made to form chains of amino acids programmed by nucleic acids supplied by the experimenters; (1) Production of human insulin from E. coli by implanting synthetic genes in the bacterium; commercial production of such synthetic insulin has been going on for some time, and the product has been approved by the FDA. (2) Formation and secretion by E. coli of the protein ovalbumin. (3) Synthesis of rat growth hormone in bacteria. (4) Synthesis of human growth hormone in bacteria; it will probably be developed on a commercial scale. (5) Production of a biologically active protein closely similar to interferon by exposing to the action of viruses bacteria that have been programmed to form it by introduction of the appropriate genetic code. (6) Creation of a wholly synthetic bacterium characterized by unusual ability to consume crude oil.Various patents are pending on some of these techniques for commercial exploitation. The Supreme Court has ruled that these and other results of genetic engineering are patentable inventions.See Biotechnology.
