Fictional Characters Created by Biotechnology

Terminology I. Humans use selective breeding to pass on desired traits to the next generations of organisms. Hybridization: breeding technique that involves crossing dissimilar organisms to bring together the best of both traits. Ex. Mocking Jay, Grafting Plants etc. Inbreeding: continued breeding of organisms with similar traits. -Ex. purebred animals

The ultimate source of genetic variability is from mutations Genetic engineering: process of making changes in the DNA code of an organism

Transformation: a cell takes in DNA from an outside cell which becomes part of the cell’s own DNA Recombinant DNA: combined DNA from two different sources/species Transgenic: organisms that contains another species DNA, contains recombinant DNA

Real Life Transgenic Organisms http://dsc.discovery.com/technology/tech-10/genetic-engineering/10-transgenic-animals-04.html

http://dsc.discovery.com/technology/tech-10/genetic-engineering/10-transgenic-animals-03.html

So what is all this about GMOs? Genetically Modified Organisms General Term for any organism that has DNA changed from natural state using genetic engineering techniques - includes transgenic organisms - does not include hybrids   - include micro-organisms such as bacteria, yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals

ISN Activity: In the movie “The Hunger Games,” the Capitol (a term used to refer to what we would call the government) produced genetically enhanced birds called jabberjays to spy on rebels. Unexpectedly, these birds bred with mockingbirds, creating a new hybrid bird called the mockingjay. The Capitol did not intend for this to happen, and the bird became a symbol of rebellion.

Fictional Transgenic Organisms Jabberjays Mockingjay Tracker Jackers thehungergames.wikia.com

What lessons can we conclude about genetic engineering from these examples? Could a scenario like this, where a genetically engineered organism hybridizes with a wild animal or plant, happen in the real world? -Why or why not? What Biotech method are these examples of?

Discussion: How many people thought this could happen? How many did not? What conditions would be required for a genetically engineered organism to hybridize with a wild animal or plant? What steps could be put in place to keep this from happening?

Group Activity Within your group, research a fictional transgenic organism from other fictional books, movies cartoons, or TV shows. Research Must Include… A brief summary about the Biotech Character Description of the organism’s origin significance for being created realistic and unrealistic behaviors habitat diet unusual abilities Description on how this organism was either harmful or beneficial to the characters in the plot of the story Explanation of Biotechnological Method