1. PROS AND CONS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
FEBRUARY 7, 2013

2. GENETIC ENGINEERING

3. Changing the traits of one organism by inserting genetic material (DNA / genes) from a different organism into its genetic material (genome).

4. WHY CHANGE GENOMES?
Regular breeding practices performed by Man takes too long
G.E. is cheaper than regular breeding
One species can be used to make another totally different species:
Resistant to disease (medicine)
Have increased crop yield (agri.)
Make hormones, enzymes and medicines in a shorter time

5. HOW ARE GENOMES CHANGED?
The scientist determines which trait is needed.
He locates and extracts the gene for the trait from an organism from one species.
He then uses a number of techniques to insert copies of the gene into the genome of another organism usually from a different species.
He perform tests to determine which of the new organisms is expressing the trait.

6. USES OF GENETIC ENGINERING

7. Yeast engineered to make alcohol from various sugars other than glucose.
Bacteria engineered to produce human hormones e.g. insulin for diabetics
Plants engineered to have delayed ripening, to be resistant to frost, resistant to fungal and viral infections and resistant to insect attack.
Plants engineered to increase yield.

8. Right here in Jamaica:
Papaya, Peppers and Citrus engineered to be resistant to viruses.
Cotton engineered to be resistant to insects.

9. DRAWING THE LINE
The world has only recently allowed the general sale and consumption of GE animals, while GE plants have been on the market for years (corn, soybean).
We have drawn the line on legally genetically manipulating humans, however………

10. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

11. ADVANTAGES
Time, money and labour saving
Yields many useful products which could help eradicate poverty, starvation, deficiency diseases, illnesses etc.
DISADVANTAGES
Changes the natural genome of the organism which may be passed to future generations and so original genes lost.
Ethical issues
Religious issues
Social issues

12. ARTIFICIAL SELECTION VS. GENETIC ENGINEERING

13. ARTIFICIAL SELECTION
Man attains desired traits in organisms by breeding similar organisms
Takes a longer time to perfect
GENETIC ENGINEERING
Man attains desired traits in organisms by inserting gene for trait into another species
More efficient process