Biotechnology in Agriscience

The Beginning…  In your notebook write a definition for biotechnology

The Beginning… Life or living Application of science to an industrial or commercial objective

Biotechnology – The application of living processes to technology

Improvement by Selection  For centuries man has improved both plants and animals by picking the best parents for producing the next generation.  Selective breeding is the selection of parents to get desirable characteristics in the offspring.  Hybrid – Plant or animal produced by crossing two different species or varieties.

History of Biotechnology Biotechnology is not new. Living Organisms have been used for centuries to alter and improve the quality and types of food for humans and animals. Examples: –Yeast to make bread rise –Bacteria to ferment sauerkraut –Bacteria to produce cheese, yogurt –Transform grain into alcohol

Biotechnology  Silage –Used for animal feed –Green grasses and grains stored in air tight containers –Converts sugars and starches to acids

Genetic Code of Life  There are over 300,000 different kinds of plants and over 1,000,000 kinds of animals on earth.  All are different in some ways.  All are similar in some ways.

Improvements by Genetics  Genetics –Biology of heredity Heredity is the transmission of characteristics from an organism to its offspring through genes in reproductive cells –Gregor Mendel An Austrian Monk credited at the father of Genetics. Experimented with garden pea plants.

The Genetic Connection  Genes –Components of cells that determine individual characteristics of all living things –Comprised of DNA The “Blueprint” of cells and their successive cells

The Genetic Connection Animal Cell

The Genetic Connection  Gene Mapping –Matching a gene to a trait Determines what gene is responsible for certain traits Examples: –Tendency of baldness –Tendency of females to have twins –Height of plants

Application of Biotechnology  DNA Matching - CSI –Identifying the parents of offspring  Genetic engineering- Movement of genetic information (genes) from one cell to another  GE was first performed in the early 1980’s –It was a breakthrough in modifying the genetic make-up of animals and plants

Products of Genetic Engineering  Insulin – genetically engineered E. coli Treats diabetes  Herbicide resistant crops – Roundup Ready soybeans, corn, and cotton  BST (bovine somatotrapin) Increases milk production in dairy cows  Lee-minus Bacteria that retards frost formation on plants  Convert waste to fuel Bacteria are under development to convert solid waste into fuel (hog lagoons, turkey liter)

DNA  Found in all living cells  All DNA is similar in structure and function –transmitter of heredity information

DNA  Deoxyribonulceic acid –Found in the nucleus of all living cells.  Come in pairs of strands –connected by bases –The bases are: A-Adenine, G-Guanine, C-Cytosine and T- Thymine A,G,C,and T are known as the Genetic alphabet.

DNA  Shape – DNA strands can belikened to the two sides of a spiraling ladder. The bases likened to rungs of that wire ladder. –Technically called a double helix

DNA in Genetics  Gene Splicing –Removing and inserting genes into DNA –Alters a given characteristic  Examples: –Alter a plants susceptibility to disease –Make a plant resistant to insects –Alter bacteria to increase meat production

Gene Mapping  The process of finding and recording the location of genes –Human Genome Project – Completed in 2003.

Recombinant DNA  Improves animal and plant performance by manipulation –Alter microorganisms –Control disease insects weeds pest –Less use of chemicals more biological control better for the environment

Concerns  Federal and state governments monitor use  Extensive testing –Laboratory to the greenhouse –Final testing occurs outdoors prior to final approval  Final approval only after all phases are completed

Issues  Is Genetic Manipulation dangerous?  Can mutations develop in the environment from these mutated genes? (Frankenstein theory)  Is Genetic Manipulation morally and religiously acceptable?  Will new diseases and problems develop?  Who will profit from Genetic Manipulation?

Assignment  Organize a discussion group with two other people.  Explore four benefits and concerns of biotechnology  Record your benefits and concerns in your notes with an explanation  Provide the best solution for your concerns  Be ready to share your work