1. Genetic Technology
The future of genetics!?!

2. Purpose: Create “Better” Organisms
1) Selective Breeding:
Breed organism with the best traits to produce offspring with those traits
Ex. Raise calves of best milk producers, plant seeds of healthiest plants

3. Types of Selective Breeding
Inbreeding: cross two genetically similar organisms
Ex. Chihuahua X Chihuahua  Chihuahua (purebred)
Hybridization: crossing two genetically different, but related species
Ex. Horse (Female) X Donkey (male)  Mule (Hybrid)

4. Not just selective breeding…
2) Genetic Engineering: process in which genes, or parts of DNA, are identified, modified, or transferred to another organism
Ex. Creates a “TRANSGENIC” organism

5. Let’s see it in action! Classical vs. Transgenic Breeding Video
Vegetables / fruits we eat have been modified through breeding/selection
Classical breeding:
- cross related plants
- mix tens of thousands of genes at a time
Transgenic breeding
- more precise (indiv. genes into plants)
- move genes between different plant forms (even animal genes into plants)
Organisms controlled by genes
We share 50% of our genes with plants
Whole essence of organism not in single gene
Scientists say b/c organism made up of tens of thousands of genes, moving single gene not change essence of organism

6. How do they do that?!?
By making “Recombinant DNA”- take a look!

7. How to make Recombinant DNA
1) Isolate a DNA fragment
Restriction enzyme cuts DNA at a certain nucleotide sequence “sticky ends”

8. 2) Gene Splicing occurs:
DNA fragment joins a vector b/c they were cut by the same restriction enzyme

9. 3) Vector transfers DNA:
Vector carries DNA into host cell

10. 4) Gene cloning occurs:
Host cell copies foreign DNA along with its own clones* of DNA
*Clone: genetically identical copy of an organism

11. Recombinant DNA animation:

12. Cloning

13. How to clone an organism:
1) Cells are taken from organism to be cloned
2) Egg is harvested from a donor
3) Nucleus is removed from egg
4) Donor cell and enucleated egg are fused and allowed to multiply
5) Egg is placed in surrogate mother’s uterus to grow
6) Clone is born!

14. Cloning Video

15. Why is it so controversial?
Genetic Technology
Why is it so controversial?