How did the pig on pg. 342 become ‘glowing’? How does this relate to the transformation lab?

Application of Human Genetics Genetic Engineering – altering the genetic material of an organism Transferring genes from one organism to another

Why is this good? Drug companies genetically engineer organisms to produce proteins that could correct/ replace the need for the malfunctioning gene. EX: Bacteria with human insulin gene to help produce insulin for diabetics Supply the protein…fix the disease

Why good? Vaccines made through genetic engineering may limit the dangers of the virus from which they are made.

Genetic Engineering results in recombinant DNA – DNA that has been engineered. Recombinant, transgenic, genetically modified – all mean organisms with recombinant DNA

Problems? How do genes interact? How does the product of one gene ( a protein) affect another gene (epistasis)? Are there genes for Asthma? Obesity? Schizophrenia? Cancer? Aging? Probably not a single gene, but the interaction of genes and environmental factors

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM (GMO) Food Crops – corn and soybean that are round-up ready A Bacteria gene that is an insecticide was inserted into the corn genome

GMO uses cont. Live Stock – grow faster, more muscle, less fat Produce milk with certain proteins Medical treatment – recombinant bacteria can make the missing protein Research – organisms that glow…the glow gene is used as a marker Control gene expression

HOW? erResources/PestControl/Genetic.htm erResources/PestControl/Genetic.htm

Some Definitions Plasmids are circular DNA in bacteria. Restriction enzymes can “cut” the gene out so that it can be inserted into the plasmid.

Microarray – pg. 342 fig 2. Show which genes are actually transcribed (active) This can show epigenetics

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in phenotype (appearance) or gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence

DNA fingerprint – segments of DNA that are unique in individuals Gene Counceling – informs people about genetic risks that could affect offspring Gene Therapy – Inserting a good gene to replace the defective gene

CLONING – Genetically identical Natural Cloning – binary fission in bacterial and unicellular organisms, budding SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSER (SCNT) – Egg nucleus (haploid) is replaced with an adult cell (diploid) and it starts to develop into an embryo Problems: survival short Large fetuses Failure to develop normally with age Benefit – Stem cells from SCNT do not have a true parent. They can be separated in early development so the embryo does not develop further.

ETHICAL ISSUES Safety (genes escaping, unforeseen affects) Human Rights – who should have the info? What to do with the info? Property Laws - patents

BIOETHICAL TOPICS: GMO GENE PATENTS GENE THERAPY CLONING (human cloning is not a topic)

Debate Format Groups of minutes pro 5 minutes con 10 minute class discussion