Manipulating the Genome 6.4

Recombinant DNA genetic information from different organisms can be combined, forming recombinant DNA

GMOs bacteria that produce human insulin frost-resistant tomatoes with fish antifreeze gene goats that produce spider silk in their milk Bt corn with bacterial gene that produces insecticide

Gene Therapy 6.5

Gene Therapy attempt to “fix” a genetic defect through the addition of normal gene or repair of the defective gene use of viruses as vectors

Difficulties… many treatments necessary to have sustained effect can’t control placement of inserted gene immune system may attack cells virus may cause disease many diseases caused by more than one gene etc…

Setbacks… some patients have died during trials some patients developed leukemia

Successes… successful gene therapy in dogs for blindness, in mice for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and in guinea pigs for hearing loss 12 patients with Leber’s congenital amaurosis have had their vision almost completely restored