1. Chapter 13
Gene Technology

2. DNA Technology DNA: Can be used as evidence in a criminal case
Improve food crops
Determine if a person is carrying a genetic disease
To do research to treat and cure genetic diseases

3. DNA Identification
Human genome: the complete genetic material in an individual
There is only a 0.1 % variation from person to person
About 98% of our genetic makeup does not code for any protein, these regions of DNA are called noncoding DNA
Noncoding DNA comes in different lengths called length polymorphisms
Differences in lengths of noncoding DNA and other variations account for many of the differences in DNA among individuals

4. Steps in DNA Identification
Copying DNA
Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) quickly produces many copies of DNA

5. Steps in DNA Identification
2. Cutting DNA
Restriction Enzymes: bacteria proteins that recognize specific DNA sequences and cut the DNA at the sequence

6. Steps in DNA Identification
3. Sorting DNA by size
Gel Electrophoresis: separates DNA fragments according to their size and charge (+ or -)
DNA Fingerprint: resulting pattern of DNA fragments

7. Steps in DNA Identification
Shorter fragments move fasters and farther than longer fragments
Negatively charged DNA moves towards the positive side of the gel electrophoresis tray
Gel is stained and can be transferred to a film or paper for analysis

8. Gel Electrophoresis http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/biotech/gel/

9. Bioethics Warm-Up
Would you want to know if you were genetically predisposed to a certain disorder (like heart disease or diabetes)?
What if it was for a disorder that has no known treatment?

10. Checking for Understanding
How are DNA fingerprints similar to real fingerprints?
How are they different?

11. Steps in DNA Identification
4. Accuracy of DNA fingerprints
DNA Fingerprint: resulting pattern of DNA fragments
The odds that two people will share an identical DNA profile are approximately 1 in 100 billion
The odds of being attacked by a shark in the United States are roughly 1 in 8 million

13. Recombinant DNA
Genetic engineering: Process of altering the genetic material of cells or organisms to allow them to make new substances
Recombinant DNA: DNA from two different organisms are joined
Ex: inserting a jellyfish gene that codes for green fluorescent protein into other species

14. Glowing Animals

15. Ex: Golden Rice Created to provide people with Vitamin A
Developed to help the very poor

16. Ex: Flavr Savr Tomato Created to prevent the softening of the tomato
Made more resistant to rotting
Could be “vine-ripened”

17. Ex: Glofish Inserted fluorescent gene from a jellyfish into zebrafish
Sold as a pet

18. Ex: Roundup Ready Soybeans
Soybeans that are resistant to Roundup herbicide
Created to reduce the application of harmful herbicides

19. DNA
DNA is universal – the genetic information from one species will work in another species
“DNA is DNA”

20. DNA 101 – Quick Refresher DNA formed from units called nucleotides
Each nucleotide is made of:
5 carbon sugar (deoxyribose)
Phosphate group
Nitrogenous base
Adenine
Guanine
Cytosine
Thymine

21. DNA 101 – Quick Refresher In all DNA:
A pairs with T
C pairs with G
Weak hydrogen bonds form between complimentary base pairs

22. Useful Properties of DNA
Restriction enzymes: enzymes used to cut apart DNA strands

23. DNA Manipulation

24. Recombinant DNA
Gene of interest: a segment of one species’ DNA that scientists wish to insert into another species’ DNA
Plasmid: small rings of DNA found naturally in bacteria cells

25. Recombinant DNA

26. Bioethical Question
Should a company be allowed to patent (and own the exclusive rights of) a genetically modified organism?

27. Genetic Engineering Medical applications:
Allows biologists to study how genes function

28. Gene Therapy
Treats genetic disorders by introducing a gene into a patient’s cells
Works best for disorders that result from the loss of a single protein
Ex: cystic fibrosis is currently being worked on

29. Gene Therapy

30. Cloning
Cloning by nuclear transfer – introducing a nucleus of a body cell into an egg cell to generate an organism identical to the nucleus donor
First cloned mammal was Dolly the sheep

31. Cloning

32. Cloning
Goal of most animal cloning is to alter the genome in a useful way
Ex: Cloning of goats so they secrete human blood clotting factors into milk
Ex: Cloning of pigs for organ transplants in humans

33. Vaccines
DNA vaccines are made from the DNA of the pathogen, but does not have disease-causing capability
Ex: AIDS, malaria, certain cancers

34. DNA Vaccine

35. Agricultural Applications
Making crops:
More tolerant to environment conditions
Resistant to herbicides
To increase food yields
Resistant to disease
Nutritional value greater

36. Ex: Golden Rice Created to provide people with Vitamin A
Developed to help the very poor

37. Ex: Flavr Savr Tomato Created to prevent the softening of the tomato
Made more resistant to rotting
Could be “vine-ripened”

38. Ex: Glofish Inserted fluorescent gene from a jellyfish into zebrafish
Sold as a pet

39. Ex: Roundup Ready Soybeans
Soybeans that are resistant to Roundup herbicide
Created to reduce the application of harmful herbicides

40. Ethical Issues
Bioethics – study of ethical issues related to DNA technology
Most scientists feel rigorous testing and safeguards should be in place for crop alteration

41. Ethical Issues
Most scientists consider gene therapy unethical if it involves reproductive cells that would affect future generations
Decisions about ethical issues are made by the involvement of the scientists and informed public

42. Bioethical Question
Should we be able to insert non-human DNA into human DNA?
Would this change what it means to be “human”?
Should humans be able to alter our intelligence via genetic engineering?

43. Bioethical Question
If there aren’t any risks associated with GM foods, should companies be required to label foods made with GMOs?