Introduction: Genetic engineering is a process that allows scientists to modify the DNA of a plant 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 took place in 2007 and studied genetically modified wheat with a gene that helps it grow in drought-affected areas (11). However, some Australian states have banned the planting of genetically modified plants. Indeed, they are more interested in 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 to another cell. Once located, it must then be removed from the cell and placed in another cell. Before this happens, restriction enzymes are used to cut a section of the DNA into tiny pieces. Enzymes facilitate the removal of a single gene from a cell. Then, before the DNA can be transferred to another cell, it is copied billions of times. Once the section is copied, 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 shoot tiny metal particles that will be covered in...... middle of paper ......n(unknown),“Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods and Crops,” accessed 4/27/10 , 7. Sakko, K. 2002, “The debate over genetically modified foods”, accessed 27/4/10.8. Author(unknown), year of publication(unknown), “Genetic Engineering File”, accessed 4/27/10.9. Morgane, S. 2002, Genetic modification of foods, Heinemann Library, Oxford10. Stoyles, P., Pentland, P. and Demant, D. 2003, “Genetic engineering”, Macmillan Library, South Yarra11. Author (unknown), 2007, “Vic Trials Drought Resistance Wheat”, accessed 22/4/10,12. Author(unknown), year of publication(unknown), “Transgenic Maize”, consulted 28/4/10,