Written Response #17: Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?

Transcription

1 DNA Technology

2 Written Response #17: Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe? Decide if you think GMO foods are safe. You will need to write whether you think they are safe or not and include 3 reasons for why you chose what you did. You may use your phone to help research. After choosing your side and explaining why you chose your side, answer the three questions below: 1. What foods have been allowed or banned in certain countries? Why? 2. Why should food be allowed if they are labeled GMO? Should labeling be mandatory or voluntary? 3. Should some foods be allowed but not others? If so, which ones and why?

3 DNA Technology DNA technology: Applied biology that involves the manipulation of DNA for the purpose of engineering new genes Examples: gene therapy, DNA fingerprinting, cloning, GMOs

4 DNA Technology DNA Fingerprinting is a type of DNA technology used in crime scene investigations Used to identify culprit from a list of suspects Created using gel electrophoresis Separation of DNA pieces through an electrically charged field Uses a restriction enzyme to separate DNA pieces by size

5 DNA Technology Restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA into smaller pieces Smaller fragments travel farther in the gel Each person s DNA has the same fragmentation pattern May also be used to catalogue endangered species

6 Written Response #18 The following is a DNA fingerprint produced by gel electrophoresis Who is the culprit according to the gel below? Explain your answer.

7 Gel Electrophoresis - handout

8 Modeling DNA Fingerprinting - Handout

9 DNA Technology Biotechnology: Vectors: transfer DNA from one organisms into another organism Gene guns can shoot DNA into a new organism Biological vectors are living and may be used to transfer DNA from organisms Forensics: answers questions for legal purposes Uses: biotechnology to investigate crime scenes, sequence DNA and analyze suspects

10 DNA Technology Human Genome Project ( ) 13-year project involving human DNA Scientists sequenced the 30 thousand genes found in the human genetic code Human genome sequencing: mapped every gene in the body Sequenced base pairs (all 3 billion) Allows understanding of genes associated with certain traits

11 DNA Technology Gene Therapy: used to help patients with certain genetic disorders by replacing defective genes with function genes Treats or manages genetic disorders Drawbacks: still being perfected; not a complete cure Diseases that have treated using gene therapy Severe combined immunodeficiency: (SCID) Patients lack a portion of a gene controlling the immune system Cystic fibrosis: Patients have a defective gene causing excess production of mucous in the lungs; leads to severe infections and pain

12 Transgenic Engineering Transgenic engineering: moving DNA from one species to another Example: Producing human insulin from a bacteria How it works: The gene for insulin production is inserted into a bacterial cell (DNA plasmid) Bacteria can then produce insulin

13 Transgenic Engineering Genetically Engineering Organisms (transgenic organisms) GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) Purposes: study diseases, transplants, agricultural purpose, pharmaceutical production Ex: Tomatoes with increased nutritional value Ex: Mosquitos that are resistant to Zika virus

14 Transgenic Engineering Agricultural applications: Plant genes may be altered too Purpose: Provide hybrid products, resistance Benefit: Better taste, more growing success Other examples: Bioluminescent organisms, transgenic mice for lab studies, malaria-resistant mosquitoes

15 Written Response #19: Transgenic Organisms Video Discussion Classical vs. Transgenic Breeding 1. How do modern crops compare to their ancestor? Be specific! 2. How is modern modification different than traditional breeders? 3. How are we able to share genes with tomatoes, insects, and pigs? Super Salmon 1. What are some possible consequences of transgenic salmon escaping from their pens into the ocean population? 2. How might transgenic salmon affect the evolution of other salmon populations? 3. Do you think the FDA should give Aqua Bounty permission to grow and sell transgenic salmon? Why or why not? BT Corn 1. What is the pest the farmer is trying to remove? What does the pest do to the corn? 2. What is the downside to using Bt? What happens to pesticides over time? 3. How does planting a non-bt area help with future resistance?

16 Controversial Questions in DNA Technology Who owns genetically modified organisms such as bacteria? Can such organisms be patented like inventions? Are genetically modified foods safe to eat? Might they have unknown harmful effects on the people who consume them? Are genetically engineered crops safe for the environment? Might they harm other organisms or even entire ecosystems? Who controls a person s genetic information? What safeguards ensure that the information is kept private? How far should we go to ensure that children are free of mutations? Should a pregnancy be ended if the fetus has a mutation for a serious genetic disorder?

17 WR #20 - Genetic Science Ethics For each issue, discuss with your table partner and make a decision. 1. You've found out that the child you (or your wife) carries has the gene for dwarfism. A new therapy exists that may repair this gene before the child is born. What do you do? 2. An agricultural company has found a way to make tomatoes 50% larger by splicing elephant genes into the tomatoes. Would you support this company and eat the tomatoes? 3. Pet cloning is now available at the local mall. You used to have a pet dog named Charlie, but he died two years ago. Now you learn that you can get a new Charlie by just bringing in a sample of his hair. What do you do? 4. A company can now create test tube babies according to parent specifications. The company can make sure that your child has all the traits you desire - hair color, intelligence, athletic ability, etc What do you do? 5. You find out that you and your wife are both carriers for a gene that could cause your children to be severely disabled. Your child has a 25% chance of developing this condition. What do you do?

18 WR #20 - Genetic Science Ethics, Contd. For each issue, discuss with your table partner and make a decision. 6. Your family is known to have Huntington's disease. Huntington's is a disease that causes its victims to slowly lose their ability to speak, walk and function. Ultimately, Huntington's causes death. There is a test that will tell you whether you have the gene for Huntington's disease. What do you do? 7. Cloning technology is perfected. A clone can be made from adult tissue samples. You learn that you need a kidney transplant, but there are no donors available. A doctor suggests that you make a clone of yourself, so that the kidney would be a perfect match. What do you do? 8. A government organization is proposing to have all citizens of the US submit a sample of their hair so that their DNA can be scanned and kept on file. Each person's DNA would be kept in a national database so that police could access the DNA when a crime was committed. Do you? 9. An experimental procedure would allow you to add genes to your body. You can order certain genes, like a smart gene, or an athletic gene, or a musical ability gene. What do you do? 10. An insurance company is requiring individuals to get genetic testing performed to determine whether they have a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, or other diseases. They are requiring that all people wanting health insurance be tested. What do you do?