Question

student 1: \this food label says it contains bioengineered ingredients.\ student 2: \oh, humans have been doing that for thousands of years!\ is student 2 right? is bioengineering (genetic engineering) the same as selective breeding? a yes, they are exactly the same process, with the same origins and outcomes b yes, because both require scientists to add genes to organisms c no, selective breeding creates completely new genes while bioengineering does not d no, bioengineering directly changes an organism’s dna, while selective breeding chooses existing traits

Explanation:

To determine if student 2 is right about bioengineering (genetic engineering) being the same as selective breeding, we analyze the processes:

• Bioengineering (Genetic Engineering): Involves directly modifying an organism’s DNA (e.g., adding/removing genes) to introduce new traits.
• Selective Breeding: Involves choosing organisms with desired traits to breed, relying on natural genetic variation (no direct DNA modification).

Student 2 claims they are the same, but they differ in mechanism (direct DNA change vs. selective mating). Option d correctly states: “No, bioengineering directly changes an organism’s DNA, while selective breeding chooses existing traits.”

Answer:

d. No, bioengineering directly changes an organism’s DNA, while selective breeding chooses existing traits