Biotechnology Biotechnology is the application of a technological process, invention or method to living organisms
Cloning A clone is an organism that has exactly the same genes as the organism from which it was produced Example: Dolly the sheep
Genetic Engineering Genes from one organism are transferred into the DNA of another organism New organisms are transgenic Example: A bacterium to which the gene for insulin has been added can produce insulin, which must be taken by Type I diabetics
Gene Therapy Inserting the right gene may correct some genetic disorders in humans
Concerns about genetic engineering Some people are concerned about the longterm effects of genetic engineering They are concerned genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, especially in plants used for food
Artificial Selection Selecting desired genetic traits by selecting specific parents and breeding them Examples: breeds of dogs, varieties of corn
Hybridization Breeding two genetically different organisms (different species) Examples: mule (horse-donkey), liger (lion-tiger)
Inbreeding Breeding two closely related organisms (example: brother and sister) Reinforces desired traits Can increase likelihood of inheriting two recessive alleles and cause genetic disorders Example: hip dysplasia in dogs
Impact of biotechnology Individuals, society and the environment can benefit from biotechnology But, biotechnology can pose risks
Impact on individuals Genetically engineered animals could produce drugs or proteins useful in medicine DNA testing could predict an individual s chances of inheriting certain genetic diseases. Angelina Jolie:
Impact on society New jobs Cheaper medicines Better tasting/more nutritious plants Insect resistant plants which don t need pesticides Herbicide resistant plants that can be sprayed with herbicide to kill weeds around them
Impact on the environment Insect-resistant plants could harm beneficial insects Could negatively impact biodiversity Genetically modified plants might need less land, water, pesticides
Classwork 1 Copy the questions into your notebook (right-side) and answer them 1. An organism that has the same genes as another is called a 2. Inbreeding and hybridization are two examples of 3. Inserting a human gene into a bacterial plasmid is called 4. Which of these is a selective breeding technique? a) Cloning b) Forensics c) Inbreeding d) Gene therapy
Using Genetic Information Human Genome Project Goal was to sequence the entire human genome (6 billion bases long) Completed in 2003 Note: Each genome scanned is only for one person But it can help us understand people in general Note: has been done many times since 2003
Using Genetic Information DNA Fingerprinting Can show how people are related by comparing fragments of their DNA Can help identify unknown bodies Can help solve crimes (DNA evidence)
Using Genetic Information Genetic Discrimination What if your DNA shows that you may develop a genetic disorder? Should a health insurance company be able to deny you insurance coverage? Should an employer be able to use this information not to hire you? Ethics is the study of what is right and wrong Using genetic information in an ethical way means using it in a way that is fair and just
Using Genetic Information Genetic Discrimination The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) makes it illegal for health insurance companies and employers to discriminate against individuals based on genetic information
Using Genetic Information Genetic Privacy If your doctor finds that you have a genetic condition, who should be told? Your relatives might also have the same condition. Should they know? Should other family members have a right to know? Or should your medical records be private?
Classwork 2 Copy the questions into your notebook (right-side) and answer them 1. Genetic fingerprinting is a tool that can be used in 2. An organism s is its full set of DNA 3. What was the main goal of the Human Genome Project? a) To clone a human b) To identify the sequence of the human genome c) To protect the genetic privacy of individuals d) To collect the genetic fingerprints of all humans