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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
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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 http://www.dnai.org/text/mediashowcase/index2.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) http://nortonbooks.com/college/biology/animations/ch15p03.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. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/gel_electrophoresis.swf
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?