Question

Scientists have recently modified the bacteria that cause tooth decay by inserting a fragment of DNA into the bacteria's DNA that prevents it from producing lactic acid. What is this process called?

Answer 1

The process is known as Genetic Engineering.

This is the technique in which the manipulation the DNA of the bacteria is done which makes the bacteria produce the product of our interest.

This technique can also be used to treat a disease by manipulating the gene.

In this process the gene producing the harmful protein is suppressed sop that it does not produces the protein which is deadly or not required.

Answer 2

The most probable and most likely answer to this problem would be genetic engineering.

Since this talks about scientists having recently modified the bacteria that cause tooth decay by inserting a fragment of DNA into the bacteria's DNA that prevents it from producing lactic acid, it has now altered the genetic composition of the bacteria. Genetically engineering bacteria and viruses have their advantages and, of course, disadvantages, either direct ones or long term ones. Genetic engineering would prove that it would be one of the many weapons that we could use to counter problems in the coming future.