They use the information in the DNA to make the tens of thousands of proteins that enable the organism to function properly.

CNN: Chemistry Nobel honors research on life-giving ribosome

The degree of regulation should be proportionate to the perceived risk of the new organism, which is a function of certain characteristics of the host plant, such as weediness, toxicity, ability to outcross, etc.

FORBES: EPA Biotech Regulation Bucks The Scientific Consensus

At the time scientists inside and outside the EPA unanimously agreed that the test posed negligible risk. (I wrote the analysis submitted by the Food and Drug Administration.) No new genetic material had been added--only a single gene whose function was well known had been removed--and the organism was obviously harmless.

FORBES: Commentary

If the DNA of a human being or any other organism resembled a carefully constructed computer program, with neatly arranged and logically structured modules each written to fulfill a specific function, the evidence of intelligent design would be overwhelming.

FORBES: The Myth ... of the Myth of Junk DNA