Different Uses for Genetics

Selective Breeding Mating organisms to produce offspring with specific traits It is important for raising champion horses, dogs, prize plants Farmers use mass selection to produce plants with certain traits by crossing plants with the desirable traits

Inbreeding This is the mating of closely related organisms Frequently used in dog breeding It can create beautiful animals, however and can be dangerous because the animals usually develop serious side effects from years of inbreeding –Ex: English Bulldogs: it was bred to be able to get close to the heels of cattle however the dog’s breathing is more difficult because of the shortened snout and female dogs cannot deliver their puppies through natural means because their puppies heads are too large

Hybridization Two organisms with different kinds of genes are crossed and the offspring show signs from both parents Ex: Mule-the result of crossing a male donkey and a female horse –Positive effect: mules are strong workers –Negative effect: mules are sterile

Pharming Comes from the combination of the words “farming” and “pharmaceuticals” It is a technique that scientists use to alter an animal’s own DNA or splice in new DNA from another organism The transgene is secreted into the animal’s milk, eggs, or blood

Transgenic Organisms These are organisms that contain genes from other species Transgenic bacteria can produce insulin after human genes are spliced into the DNA of bacteria –This creates enough insulin to help people with diabetes

Transgenic Animals These animals grow faster, are leaner and are resistant to infections that cause food poisoning One example of a transgenic animal is the spidergoat –The genes from a silk spider were spliced with that of a goat –The gene was expressed in the mammary gland of the goat and when it was milked, it contained silk protein that could be separated

Transgenic Plants These plants have been produced that generate crops with greater disease, insect and drought resistance

Pharmacogenomics This is an idea that someday, drugs might be tailored made for individuals and adapted to each person’s own genetic makeup

Pharmacogenomics Pros and Cons Pros –More powerful medicines –Better, safer drugs the first time –More accurate methods of determining appropriate drug dosages –Better vaccines Cons –Complexity of finding gene variations that affect drug response –Limited drug alternatives –Disincentives for drug companies to make multiple products