About Recombinant DNA Recombinant DNA is the technology that
allows us to insert genes from one organism into another to make
it produce a protein product, copy the gene multiple times, or
give it a new trait. The discovery of recombinant DNA was
considered the "birth" of modern biotechnology. Deoxyribonucleic
acid, or DNA, is the blueprint for life. Inside every cell in
your body, DNA contains the code that determines who you are and
what traits you have. Recombinant DNA is DNA from two different
sources that has been combined in vitro (outside living
organisms). There are three main reasons for creating
recombinant DNA: (i) to create a protein product, (ii) to create
multiple copies of genes, and (iii) to insert foreign genes into
other organisms to give those organisms a new trait (Campbell &
Reece, 2002). Recombinant DNA is used widely today to create
large amounts of protein for treating certain illnesses. In
1982, insulin became the first recombinant DNA drug to hit the
market (NHGRI, 2003). A person wi