1. Human Technology
Genetically Modified Organisms, Artificial Selection, Selective breeding, Animal husbandry, Gene therapy

2. Video

3. Essential question: How have humans used technologies to influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms?
Genetic Modification
GM stands for 'genetically-modified‘
describes the process by which scientists are able to pinpoint the individual gene
Remove gene, copy it, place it in new organism
produces a desired outcome
Selective Breeding
the intentional mating of two animals or plants
produces offspring with desirable traits
Can also get rid of unwanted traits
Animal Husbandry
Selective Breeding of animals only
Concerned with the production and care of domestic animals
Gene Therapy
Technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease.
May allow doctors to treat a disorder by putting a gene into a patient’s cells
No need for drugs or surgery.

4. GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANSIMS

5. Reasons for Genetically Modifying Organisms
Produce faster growing crops or animals
Produce plants that are more resistant to pests
Rainbow Papaya
Produce crops that are drought resistant
Produce foods that stay ripe longer
Endless Summer Tomato
Research:
Drug development
Commercial reasons
Fluorescent fish for pets
Increase yield of crop
Reduce cost that is passed to consumer
Enhance the nutritional value of a food
Golden Rice

6. Process to make Genetically modified Organisms
The first GMOs were bacteria in the early 1970s.
Most basic modifications are designed and prepared using bacteria (usually E.Coli) and then transferred to the target organisms.

7. Controversy of Genetically modified organisms
What evidence is there of problems with GM crops?
Some studies have shown negative results for lab animals that ate GMO foods.
Those foods were not meant for human consumption
There are not very many studies that show these negative results.
Other scientists have criticized and questioned some of these studies.
Video -
Controversy over GMOs in general:
Genetic modification is placing the genes of one species into another unrelated species.
Some modifications are created by corporations to make crops resistant to pests or to certain chemicals.
Controversy over GM foods:
Have they been tested enough to prove they are safe?
Could pesticide resistant plants become toxic?
Could peanut genes inserted into soybeans cause unexpected allergic reactions?

8. Pros and cons of GMO Food
Higher crop yields
Reduced need for herbicides and pesticides
Improved food quality
Increased nutritional value
Cons
Possible allergies
Unpredicted changes to the ecosystem
Chance of new diseases developing

9. SELECTIVE BREEDING AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

10. Reasons for Selective Breeding
We choose the characteristics we want:
Dogs with a good sense of smell, hearing etc.
Improve food production
Better able to fight off pests
More fit and stronger animals
Cows that give more milk
Chickens that lay bigger eggs
Selective Breeding – Plants and Animals
Animal Husbandry – Animals only
Typically for farming and agriculture

11. Process of Selective Breeding
Decide which characteristics are important
Choose parents that show these characteristics
Select the best offspring from parents to breed the next generation
Repeat the process continuously
Human controlled Natural Selection/Evolution

12. Controversies of Selective breeding
Benefits to humanity
Better/more plentiful food.
Service animals
Humans have been using selective breeding for thousands of years already.
Animal Rights:
Should animals have the right to select their own breeding partners?
Unnatural
It doesn’t occur in nature, does that make it wrong?

13. GENE THERAPY

14. Reasons for Gene Therapy
To alter genes to correct genetic defects
prevent or cure genetic diseases.
Not to be confused with Genetic engineering which changes the genes to make the organism better than normal.
Possibility to cure deadly diseases like cancer

15. Process of Gene Therapy
Three different ways:
Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene
Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly
Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease

16. Controversies of Gene Therapy
Pros:
Could wipe out genetic diseases
Prevent genetic disorders in future generations for families who know they have it in their bloodline
Cons:
Still a dangerous and difficult process
When used in unborn children, not sure of effects
Child doesn’t have a choice