Genetic Engineering. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO s)

Transcription

1

2 Genetic Engineering The manipulation of genetic material for practical purposes Involves the changing of DNA in an organism Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO s) An organism whose genetic make up has been altered using genetic engineering techniques Goal is to add new material to an organisms genome How it Works: 1. Using Recombinant DNA Technology, DNA from different sources in an organism (or another organism of the same species) is extracted 2. The DNA is recombined into a single molecule to create a new set of genes 3. The DNA is transferred back into the organism giving it modified or new genes

3 Examples of GMO s: A gene coding for an insect resistant protein is isolated and developed by Monsanto Corporation which in turn inserts the gene into various strains of canola, wheat, corn, flax, grains, barley etc. Transgenic Organisms Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO s) that has had DNA inserted into its genome from a different species Has a wider practical implication in that a desirable or favourable trait from one species can be isolated and inserted into another species using recombinant DNA technology Examples of Transgenic Organisms: The production of Pharmaceutical Drugs involves the genes from strains of bacteria being introduced into different strains of bacteria

4 A frost resistance gene engineered in bacteria has been successfully introduced into the genomes of orange and lemon trees. There are a wide array of transgenic plants Genes for pesticide resistance, insect resistance, bacteria resistance and drought resistance have been isolated and engineered from other species and introduced into various plant genomes Wilder Examples of Transgenic Organisms: Recent developments in transgenic organisms involve introducing Human DNA into non human species Transgenic Fish have been given a gene sequence for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) to produce dramatically larger fish Transgenic Bacteria engineered with Human gene sequences can produce insulin, clotting factors and human growth hormone

5 Glo Fish The product of inserting a fluorescence gene from Jellyfish into species of fish

6 Even Wilder Examples of Transgenic Organisms: Sheep have been genetically modified with Human DNA sequences in order to produce tissues and organs that mimic human tissue and could be used for transplant purposes The Chimera is a transgenic organism with 2 or more populations of genetically distinct cells (has a mix of tissues from two different species) Formed by fusing two zygotes together Monsanto has developed and patented a number of Genetically Modified and Transgenic Organisms Developed Terminator strains which are transgenic organisms that are only reproductively viable for one generation Developed Traitor strains in which the engineered traits are only activated if an activator chemical is applied

7 Is there anything wrong or dangerous with Genetically Modifying an Organism? Should GMO used for food be identified? Can a GMO be copyrighted or trademarked?

8 Cloning Organisms (Reproductive Cloning) The creation of a new and genetically identical organism asexually Methods: 1. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer How it Works 1. A nucleus from a Donor Adult Somatic Cell is transferred into an Egg Cell with no nucleus 2. If the new egg divides, it is transferred into the uterus of a surrogate mother 3. The host cell (egg) reprograms the nucleus of the donor somatic cell 4. An electric shock is applied to the egg which triggers it to divide and eventually form a blastocyst 5. The blastocyst develops into an embryo genetically identical to the donor

9

10 Drawbacks: This process puts a large stress on the egg Process has a 10% success rate Process requires a large source of eggs

11 2. Embryo Twinning Low tech cloning method An embryo is extracted from an organism and placed in a Petri Dish or In Vitro (test tube) where it is induced to divide (by separation or through the use of hormones) Cloned embryos are then placed into a surrogate mother

12 Is there anything wrong or dangerous with the use of Cloning? Can a Clone be created for spare parts? If a clone can be created should Genomes be copyrighted or trademarked?