1. Genetic Engineering Madison Goldrich & Emily Hays

2. What is Genetic Engineering? ❏ a laboratory process by which an individual’s genome is deliberately modified

3. History ❏ began with genetic modification through domestication of plants and animals ❏ ex: dog-breeding for certain traits (retrievers, shepherds, etc.) ❏ Mendel’s pea experiments showed how organisms can be breeded for certain traits ❏ 1970: restriction enzymes and DNA ligase allowed “cutting and pasting” of DNA sequences to create recombinant DNA

4. History (continued) ❏ Paul Berg- scientist who created first recombinant DNA molecules ❏ 1973: world’s first transgenic animal, a mouse, created by introducing foreign DNA into the embryo ❏ 1976: first genetic engineering company, Genentech, founded ❏ first genetically engineered plant, tobacco, reported in 1983 ❏ 1986: engineered to be resistant to herbicides

5. How Does it Work? ❏ Genetic Engineering contains three key elements: The gene to be transferred, the host in which the gene is inserted, and a vector to bring about the transfer.

6. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) ❏ GMO: organism whose genome has been modified by genetic engineering ❏ bacteria & yeast most common genetically engineered organism ❏ gene may be altered and reinserted into an individual of the same species OR ❏ gene from one species may be transferred to another to produce an organism that is transgenic

7. The Ethics of GMO’s Risks: ❏ Reduction of biodiversity ❏ Growth in allergic reactions ❏ No economic value since the crops all take the same amount of time to grow ❏ Environmental damage ❏ Fear of unnatural modifications Benefits: ❏ Crop resistance to drought and infestation ❏ More nutritional benefits ❏ Better overall quality and taste ❏ Disease resistance

8. Words to know: ❏ Gene Splicing: The process by which genes are cut apart and put back together to provide them with some new function. ❏ Host Cell: The cell in which a new gene is transplanted in genetic engineering. ❏ Vector: An organism or cell used to transport a gene into a new host cell. ❏ Plasmid: A circular form of DNA often used as a vector in genetic engineering. ❏ Recombinant DNA Research: A technique for adding new instructions to the DNA of a host cell by combining genes from two different sources.

9. The Future of Genetic Engineering: ❏ Medical: Genetically humanized antibodies, modifications of the human genome directly into the utero, and eradication of inheritable diseases. ❏ Agricultural: Genetically engineering specific crops to deliver essential vaccines. ❏ Environmental: Engineering bacteria to turn waste into useful products such as plastic and fuel.

10. Sources: ❏ Textbook ❏ “History of genetic engineering” Wikipedia page ❏ “Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering” healthresearchfunding.org ❏ “What is genetic engineering?” AgBiosafety for Educators