BIOETHICS FIVE COMMON USES OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY 1. DNA Fingerprinting – Identification technique which uses the unique segments in the DNA of each person

DNA testing at state crime lab [ (2.30mins) Real CSI - Inside DNA - YouTube 1.0

2. Transfer of specific genes from one organism to another (GM crops) *Review Pros And Cons Of GM Foods

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY 3. Cloning of cells, tissues and organs (and in some cases, whole individuals) for a wide variety of organisms; includes stem cell research

REPRODUCTIVE VS THERAPEUTIC CLONING Celebrity Sheep Died at Age 6 Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from adult DNA, was put down by lethal injection Feb. 14, Prior to her death, Dolly had been suffering from lung cancer and crippling arthritis. Although most Finn Dorset sheep live to be 11 to 12 years of age, postmortem examination of Dolly seemed to indicate that, other than her cancer and arthritis, she appeared to be quite normal. The unnamed sheep from which Dolly was cloned had died several years prior to her creation. Dolly was a mother to six lambs, bred the old-fashioned way. Image credit: Roslin Institute Image Library Reproductive cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another currently or previously existing animal. Since Dolly, researchers have cloned a number of large and small animals including sheep, goats, cows, mice, pigs, cats, rabbits, and a gaur.

PRINTING BODY PARTS? THERAPEUTIC CLONING (16.54mins) Replacement body parts Bladder Skin grafts (burn victims) Can’t clone liver, pancreas or Nerve cells yet

VIDEO CLIP QUESTIONS 2. What organ has already been made and why was it easier to make this organ? 1. What are the 3 challenges of regenerative medicine? 3. Why is it more complicated to make an organ like the kidney? Biomaterials (making them/rejection problems) Getting enough cells to grow outside of the body- much better but still can’t grow 3 types of cells: Liver, Pancreas and Nerve cells Blood Supply/Vascularity to keep cells alive

CELLS THAT CAN TRANSFORM INTO ANY OF THE CELL TYPES NEEDED TO MAKE ALL THE TISSUE IN THE BODY, FROM BONE TO MUSCLE OR BLOOD. EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Stem cell research is controversial because some think it immoral to use human embryos for scientific study. Researchers say embryonic stem cells have the potential to unlock secrets of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimers, possibly leading to cures. A federal ban exists on funding some types of stem cell research. STEM CELLS

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY 4. Genetic Counseling: Uncovering specific mutations associated with diseases (Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, Muscular Dystrophy); mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease and cancers. Karyotype

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY 4. Genetic Counseling: Uncovering specific mutations Pedigree Charts Autosomal or Sex linked? Dominant or Recessive?

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY 5. Reprogenetics: Combining reproductive technologies (IVF) with Genetic Screening (PGD) Reproductive techniques such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to select embryos based on specific traits (Embryo Screening before implantation in the uterus).

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY 5. Gene testing: when is genetic information available TOO much information? Sprinter Baby? Gene Genie?

ETHICS ENTERS THE PICTURE: HOW CAN WE USE THESE TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE OUR OWN WELL BEING AND THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, COUNTRY, PLANET? AND NOT TO HURT OURSELVES !

SOME CORE ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Respect for persons (people are not a means to an end) Relative harm and benefit –to people, other organisms, to the environment Fairness (justice) Authenticity Responsibility

CRACKING THE GENETIC CODE INCONCEIVABLEINCONCEIVABLE Before: After:

OUR FOCUS TOPICS Stem Cell Research Preimplantation diagnosis (Embryo Screening) Designer Babies Cloning

VOCABULARY IVF= In Vitro Fertilization 1978 “in glass”“Test tube baby” Reproductive vs Therapeutic Cloning Genetic duplicate vs “Replacement Parts” Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Other Stem Cell Sources PGD Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis Reprogenetics Combining reproductive technologies (IVF) with Genetic Screening

PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS THE GENETIC PROMISE; Vital Signs with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. 11/2009 (~10 min) The video clip (approximately 10 minutes in length) explores Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis used to prevent fatal medical conditions and gender selection. bk.a.cnn?iref=allsearch

STEM CELLS USED TO FIND A CURE FOR ALS Stem Cell Research Goes from Lab to Operating Room (May 2010) A man with ALS undergoes experimental stem cell treatment to help scientists find a cure for this disease.