Advances in Genetics Mrs. Wharton’s Science class

Genetic Advances Selective breeding, cloning and genetic engineering are 3 methods for developing organisms with desired traits Selective breeding, cloning and genetic engineering are 3 methods for developing organisms with desired traits

Selective breeding The process of selecting organisms with desired traits to be parents of the next generation The process of selecting organisms with desired traits to be parents of the next generation

Inbreeding Involving crossing 2 organisms that have similar characteristics Involving crossing 2 organisms that have similar characteristics To produce offspring with specific traits ( horses) To produce offspring with specific traits ( horses) Can also increase the likelihood that organisms may inherit alleles that lead to genetic disorders Can also increase the likelihood that organisms may inherit alleles that lead to genetic disorders

Hybridization Breeders cross genetically different organisms Breeders cross genetically different organisms ie- a farmer may cross corn that produces many kernels with corn that is resistant to disease ie- a farmer may cross corn that produces many kernels with corn that is resistant to disease

Clone An organism that is genetically identical to the organism from which it was produced An organism that is genetically identical to the organism from which it was produced

Genetic Engineering Genes from one organism are transferred into the DNA of another organism Genes from one organism are transferred into the DNA of another organism Splicing- improve food production plants so more can be grown with less Splicing- improve food production plants so more can be grown with less Traditional plant breeding- selecting and crossing plants of the same kind with certain traits Traditional plant breeding- selecting and crossing plants of the same kind with certain traits Gene splicing- involves splicing or cutting in of genes from an entirely different plant Gene splicing- involves splicing or cutting in of genes from an entirely different plant

How Does Gene Splicing Affect Us? Being used in foods we already eat- gov’t said these foods do not need to be labeled (peanut allergies?) Being used in foods we already eat- gov’t said these foods do not need to be labeled (peanut allergies?) Soybean seeds- not sure of long-term effects ( soy is most widely used plant in the world) Soybean seeds- not sure of long-term effects ( soy is most widely used plant in the world)

Terminator Wheat Grows well- produces good harvest Grows well- produces good harvest Farmers have to buy more each year- it does not reproduce each year Farmers have to buy more each year- it does not reproduce each year

Gene Therapy When working copies of a gene may be inserted directly into the cells of a person with a genetic disorder When working copies of a gene may be inserted directly into the cells of a person with a genetic disorder