Introduction: Genetic engineering is a process that allows scientists to modify a plant's DNA to make it more beneficial. This can be done by making the plant survive frost, increasing its vitamins or making it resistant to diseases and herbicides (9). These are some examples of how plants can be modified to be more beneficial. The first genetically modified plant was tobacco, created in 1986 (2). The most recent trial dates back to 2007 and studied genetically modified wheat with a gene that helps it grow in drought-stricken areas (11). Some Australian states, however, have banned the cultivation of genetically modified plants. This is because we look more at the disadvantages than the advantages. Biology: Genetic engineering is a process that allows scientists to modify an organism's genes. This technique is known as recombinant DNA (5). Genes from different organisms are combined to form a new set. The first step in genetic engineering is to find the gene that will be transferred into another cell. Once you locate it, you need to cut it out of the cell and insert it into another cell. Before this can happen, restriction enzymes are used to cut a section of DNA into small pieces. Enzymes facilitate the removal of a single gene from a cell. So, before DNA can be transferred into another cell, it is copied billions of times. Once you have copied this section it is now ready to be inserted into another cell. Because a plant is surrounded by a cell wall, DNA must be transferred into the cell using a special type of gene gun. This gun will fire tiny metal particles that will be coated with......half of paper......n(unknown),"Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods and Crops", viewed 4/27/10, 7 Sakko, K. 2002, “The genetically modified food debate,” viewed 4/27/10.8. Author(unknown), year published(unknown), "Genetic Engineering File", viewed 4/27/10.9. Morgan, S. 2002, Genetic modification of foods, Heinemann Library, Oxford10. Stoyles, P., Pentland, P., & Demant, D. 2003, “Genetic engineering”, Macmillan Library, South Yarra11. Author (unknown), 2007, "Vic Trials Drought Grain Resistant", viewed 4/22/10,12. Author(unknown), year published(unknown), “Transgenic Maize”, displayed 28/4/10,