Genetic Engineering

A man-made method of altering the genes to change the characteristics of an organism.

Historical Notes

1985 Genetic fingerprinting invented by Alec Jeffreys.

1987 A crime suspect is convicted on the evidence of genetic fingerprinting in the UK.

1988 A patent is granted to cover a genetically engineered mouse.

1992 The first 'xenotransplant' from one type of animal to another involving genetically engineered tissue (liver) is carried out successfully.