BIOTECHNOLOGY AND GENETIC ENGINEERING

What is Biotechnology?  Biotechnology is the combination of biology and technology.  It has been making many products better for many years, including cheese, yogurt, and even bread  As scientists cracked the genetic code, they began to incorporate biotechnology into the branch of genetics

Selective Breeding  A process that uses domestic animals and new varieties of plants with traits that are particularly desirable  It allows the favorable trait to remain in the population!  Ex: Dog breeds, race horses, plant crops  Stuff They Don't Want You to Know Stuff They Don't Want You to Know

Genetic Engineering  AKA Recombinant DNA Technology  Alters genes by removing DNA segments from one organism and inserting them into the DNA of a new organism  Once the DNA is inside the new organism, the transferred code directs the new organism’s cells to make the same product (protein) as the original organism

Let’s List the Steps! 1. Gene for insulin is isolated from a human pancreas cell 2. Plasmid DNA is cut with a restriction enzyme 3. Plasmid DNA and human insulin gene are combined 4. “Recombinant” DNA is inserted into a bacterial cell 5. Bacterial cells reproduce through mitosis and each new daughter cell is able to produce insulin

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)  A GMO is any organism whose DNA has been altered by genetic engineering  Commonly used in agriculture to modify our produce and meat products  Topic currently under fierce debate!  GMOs in Agriculture GMOs in Agriculture

Cloning The process of producing genetically identical offspring from the body cells of the parent organism Also called “somatic cell nuclear transfer” First cloned organism was “Dolly” the sheep in 1997 in Scotland Since then other animals such as pigs, deer, horses, and bulls, but never humans Dolly News Story

The Cloning Process

DNA Fingerprinting  Also called Gel Electrophoresis  Method of isolating and making images of specific sequences of DNA  This is used to test DNA left at crime scenes and for paternity testing  Each person’s DNA is as unique to them as their fingerprint!

How Does DNA Fingerprinting Work? 1. Scientist removes the parts of DNA that are the same in all humans 2. The DNA is cut at specific places with restriction enzymes, creating small fragments 3. The tiny pieces of DNA are put into a tray filled with gel and the scientist applies an electric current to the gel 4. The current pulls the DNA fragments through the gel because DNA is negatively charged. Shorter fragments are able to move farther through the gel

Whodunnit?