Biotechnology & Genethics

What can we do with Biotechnology? Genetic Screening & testing In vitro fertilization Gene therapy & new treatments Cloning DNA fingerprinting Paternity testing Genetically modified crops

The Human Genome Project Completed in 2003 Scientists all over the world worked to sequence the human genome and trace traits to specific chromosomes. This work has made it possible to pinpoint the location of many genetic disorders and diseases in our DNA. See poster

Genetic Screening & Testing Before a baby is born, parents can know if there is a chance of it having a disease or disorder. –Premarital testing: couple gets genetic tests –Prenatal testing: Amniocentesis, Ultrasound, … –Neonatal testing & Newborn testing: PKU, Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, & Sickle Cell

In vitro Fertilization Couples who have trouble conceiving can seek this as an option. The egg is fertilized by sperm in a petri dish, and verified by a scientist ex utero, in addition to being screened for diseases and disorders.

Gene Therapy & New Treatment Gene therapy- body cells and tissues are injected with functioning copies of a gene to replace defective genes. Stem Cell Research- embryonic stem cells could be transplanted to repair human tissues and cure diseases. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of body cell.

Cloning Bacterial cloning of a gene- ex. Insulin –Gene of interest is isolated from human DNA –Bacterial DNA is cut open –Gene is inserted into bacterial DNA –Bacteria reproduce and gene is cloned –Bacteria go through protein synthesis and make protein from new gene –New protein can be harvested from bacteria html?id=558

Cloning Whole Organism- ex. Dolly in 1997 –Nucleus removed from a sheep’s somatic cell –Nucleus inserted into empty egg cell (nucleus was removed from this also) –Egg cell acts like a normal egg cell, and develops into an embryo –Embryo inserted into surrogate sheep –Dolly born months later!

Genetic Engineering Selective Breeding- animals with the best traits are breeded Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): –Pest or herbicide resistant crops –Heartier, more flavorful, or longer lasting crops –Plants or animals that produce more offspring –Accidentally can create resistant species (ex. MRSA) 03.htm

DNA Fingerprinting Suspects’ DNA and DNA recovered from crime scene can be cut by restriction enzymes, and sorted by fragment size to see if they match (through a process called gel electrophoresis). Can also be used in paternity testing.

Just because we can, should we? Many ethical questions have come up concerning biotechnology. For ex.: –How much genetic screening & selecting should we allow? –Is it right to create new or modified species and “play God”? –Should stem cell research be allowed?