Social and Ethical Issues in Systems Biology. HW: pg 120 #1-5, 9-11, 14

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1 Social and Ethical Issues in Systems Biology HW: pg 120 #1-5, 9-11, 14

2 Transplanting Organs Organ transplantation involves the removal of an organ from donor body and placement in a recipient body, wherein the transplanted organ functions in the recipient body. There are many instances of organ/tissue transplantation in history but the first official successful organ transplant is often cited as a kidney transplant in The donor and recipient were identical twins, which prevented the issue of organ rejection in the recipient.

3 Transplanting Organs Organ transplants have come a long way since then but organ transplants still aren t as common due to lack of donors. There are often long waiting lists for organ transplants.

4 Transplanting Organs Organs such as the liver, lung, small bowel, kidney, and pancreas can come from a living donor but the donor must be a match to the recipient. There is also a risk to the donor as there is with any major surgery. Otherwise, the organs are obtained from recently deceased individuals. Other options are artificially generated or animal organs/tissues.

5 Advances in Cell Biology Technology Recent developments in technology have allowed advancement of cell biology through use of techniques that incorporate technology. Common examples are gene therapy, cloning, transgenic techniques, and reproductive technologies. However, along with these advances, there are concurrently developing societal and ethical concerns.

6 Gene Therapy Gene therapy is an experimental technique that involves the insertion of a functioning gene into patient cells to help treat or prevent disease usually caused by an abnormal gene.

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9 Cloning Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism.

10 Cloning Though cloning sounds like futuristic technology, it has been common in horticulture for a long time. This is due to a plants natural meristematic tissue. Vegetative propagation, as well as grafting, are common techniques for producing plants that are genetic copies of each other.

11 Cloning Unlike with plants, cloning of animals is much more complicated. There are three main types of cloning: reproductive cloning, gene cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Reproductive cloning involves the insertion of a nucleus from an adult donor cell into an empty egg cell. This egg is then inserted in the womb of the mother for gestation.

12 Cloning In 1996, Dolly the sheep was born. She was the first successfully cloned mammal from an adult stem cell.

13 Cloning Gene cloning involves cloning of genes rather than individuals. Genes are usually inserted into bacterium so that multiple copies can be made. This is the same technology used in gene therapy.

14 Cloning Therapeutic cloning consists of harvesting embryonic or adult stem cells to grow healthy tissue for replacement of damaged tissues. Reproductive cloning could be used to produce an embryo with stem cells for harvest.

15 Transgenic Techniques The term genetic engineering refers to transgenic techniques which involve the alteration of an organisms genome through transplantation or modification of genes. These organisms are referred to as transgenic. Transgenic organisms have many uses. For example, the bacterium used to clone DNA would be considered transgenic.

16 Transgenic Techniques Certain genetically modified organisms could also be referred to as transgenic. Transgenic organisms are also used in research.

17 Reproductive Technologies Reproductive technologies are techniques that are used to help achieve pregnancy in animals and humans. Artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are common reproductive technologies.

18 Reproductive Technologies Artificial insemination involves the collection of sperm from the male which is then placed inside the uterus of the female.

19 Reproductive Technologies In vitro fertilization involves the collection of both sperm from the male and eggs from the female. Fertilized eggs are then placed back in the womb of the female.