1. Applications of Genetics and Ethical Concerns

2. 1. Gene Therapy
Mutated sections of DNA are replaced with correct sections of DNA

3. Gene Augmentation Therapy
Fixing genes that aren’t working properly
Ex. Cystic Fibrosis
Gene Inhibition Therapy
Blocking harmful genes
Ex. Some cancers

4. Positives (Gains)
Cure genetic diseases (ex. Cancer, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s)

5. Negatives (Risks)
Short lived nature of gene therapy - Patients will have to undergo multiple rounds
Immune response - Could cause unwanted immune system reactions
Overexpression – cause cancer growth
Target wrong cells
Cause infection by the virus used

6. 2. Genetic Engineering & GMOs
Manipulation of an organism’s genome (DNA) to alter its characteristics (phenotype) by cutting DNA from one organism and inserting fragments into a host.
The end result is recombinant DNA, or DNA made from two or more different organisms.
An organism that has DNA from another organism is called TRANSGENIC (“trans” means across, “gene” means race)

7. GMO – Genetically Modified Organism
Ex) Scientists have made a glow in the dark plant. They did this by removing the fire fly gene from a firefly and inserting it into the plant cell using cut and paste enzymes.
GMO – Genetically Modified Organism

8. Ex) Production of Insulin for Type I Diabetes
Patients can’t make insulin which regulates blood sugar levels
Patients take insulin to control blood sugar
1. Take the gene that codes for insulin
2. Put it in a bacteria (E.coli)
3. Grow lots of bacteria
4. Extract the insulin from the bacteria
5. Give insulin to diabetic humans

9. Ex) GMOs in plants Can be used to modify plant crops for:
Temperature resilience
Nutritional value
Growth rate
Growth size
Pest resistance

11. The “Arctic Apple” -made in Summerland -doesn’t brown when cut
-modified the gene
responsible for browning

12. 3. Cloning
First successful cloning of an animal was in 1996, creating Dolly the sheep
Research is regulated by governments
Possible to clone organs in
surrogate hosts (such as a pig)

13. 4. Forensics Everyone has a unique DNA sequence like a fingerprint
Can be used for:
Criminal investigation
Paternity tests
Tracking of a disease

14. Ethical Concerns - Many biotechnology applications are very controversial
Advantages include:
Increased food yield (GMO crops)
Increased nutrition of food (GMO crops)
Genetic diseases could be removed such as Huntington’s, Cystic Fibrosis (Gene Therapy)
Concerns include:
Human Health/Safety (GMO crops)
“Playing God” (ex. Jurassic Park)
Potential negative mutations (Gene Therapy)
Human and animal rights (Gene Therapy)