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Biotechnology
Gene modification causes these mice to glow in the
dark. Normally, the gene is found in jellyfish.
BIOETHICS SURVEY
1. I would use genetic engineering to remove a harmful gene
from my unborn child, such as the gene that causes cystic
fibrosis.
1 ------ 2 ----- 3 ----- 4 ----- 5
definitely not --------------> absolutely
2. I would use genetic engineering to remove an abnormal (but
not necessarily harmful) gene from my unborn child; such as
the gene that causes dwarfism.
1 ------ 2 ----- 3 ----- 4 ----- 5
definitely not --------------> absolutely
3. I would use genetic engineering to remove a gene that is
not desirable, such as the gene that causes baldness.
1 ------ 2 ----- 3 ----- 4 ----- 5
definitely not --------------> absolutely
4. I would use genetic engineering to change a gene in my
unborn child, such as their hair color or eye color.
5. I would use genetic engineering to add a gene to my child
that is not human – such as a gene from another organism
that could improve sight or running ability.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Recombinant DNA Technology / Transgenic
Gene Sequencing (Human Genome Project)
Gene Cloning / Cloning / Gene Therapy
Stem Cell Research
DNA Fingerprinting (and other Forensics applications)
RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY
Also known as “transgenic”,
“genetically modified”, or simply
“GMO”, this is the process of
identifying and removing a gene from
one species and splicing that gene
into a different species
Materials Needed:
1. Vector (plasmid)
2. Restriction Enzyme
3. DNA ligase
How to make a GMO
●Identify the gene of interest, and cut it out of
the original genome using restriction enzymes.
These special proteins were discovered in
bacteria. They serve as “guard dogs” by cutting
foreign DNA into pieces. Since all DNA is the
same, the enzymes recognize “foreign DNA” by
only cutting at specific sequences not found in
the bacterial DNA. By combing many species,
we have found hundreds of these enzymes that
allow us to cut DNA at various sequences.
Convenient!
Some restriction enzymes cut in a zigzag pattern called
a “sticky end”. This is convenient because we can use
the unpaired bases as a “glue” to stick DNA back
together.
How to make a GMO
●Once the needed gene is cut
with sticky ends, the target gene
is cut with the same sticky end
enzyme. Now, a vector is used
to move the DNA into the target.
Vectors are either modified
lysogenic viruses (used for
prokaryotes or eukaryotes) or
spliced into a plasmid (used for
prokaryotes only). Plasmids are
small circular pieces of DNA that
bacteria have evolved to “pick
up” and use.
How to make a GMO
●Finally, ligase is used
reconnect the DNA back
together. This is the same
ligase that was used during
replication!
●Often, an easy to detect
gene (such as the ability to
glow in the dark) will be
included with the desired gene
to make sure the process
worked quickly.
RECOMBINANT DNA and
Pharming
*Can allow us to take a
human gene and place it into
bacteria. The bacteria can
now produce necessary
human proteins that will be
sold as medications
(hormones, clotting factor,
insulin..etc…)
Human Genome Project
●A team of scientists working over decades
managed to sequence the entire human
genome. This will help us to identify specific
genes that may lead to health issues to better
develop treatments and understand aging and
development.
Cloning
How to Clone
●Cloning is the process of creating an artificial identical twin.
DNA from an adult organism is placed in an empty donor egg
from the same species. The egg is then implanted or hatched
normally in a surrogate mother. The resulting organism is a
clone of the original DNA donor.
Why clone?
1. Financial gain: companies can clone pets and make a
lot of money
2. Scientific gain: cloning teaches us a lot about the
nature of DNA and how genes work
3. Medical gain: cloning individual cells or genes (not
the whole organism) could be an effective treatment
for disease such as cancer. Called gene therapy.
4. Agricultural gain: specimens can be engineered to
perfection and then cloned with no risk of losing
desired traits
5. Evolutionary History gain: extinct species can
theoretically be cloned to make them easier to study
GENE THERAPY
Dolly’s Clone  Human Clone? Probably not. 
How to Clone a Sheep
Clone problems
●In our cloning experiments, we have noticed a few
clone problems. First of all, clones do not have the full
lifespan of the original. They are more likely to
develop age related conditions (arthritis, cancer, etc)
at a younger age, most likely because of the
shortening effect of DNA replication. Their DNA is
“old” in essence, even though their bodies are not.
Secondly, some gene control leads to surprising
results in clones. An attempt to clone a calico cat
named Rainbow resulted in a different fur pattern for
the clone due to barr bodies formed by the original
donor.
Stem Cell Research
●A stem cell is an
undetermined, undifferentiated
cell. We will talk more about
them later, but for now just
know that it is a cell that can
become any type of cell in the
body. Using these cells in
adults to replace damaged
(e.g. cancerous or damaged
G0) cells can lead to
treatments for previously
incurable diseases (cancer,
spinal cord injury, traumatic
brain injury)
Gene Copy Machine:
The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Many of these biotechnologies require a LOT of DNA to work. A
simple way to increase the amount of DNA in a test tube is PCR.
PCR creates millions of copies of a gene just by mixing the DNA
with all the necessary replication enzymes (such as DNA
polymerase). Also called Gene Amplification.
DNA “fingerprinting” with Gel Electrophoresis
•
•
Because every individual has their
own unique combination of genes, a
process called gel electrophoresis
can help us create a banding pattern
to identify specific DNA. No two
people (except identical twins) will
have the exact banding pattern, but
relatives (or related species) will
have similar banding patterns.
Used for crime scene identification,
historical identification, paternity
testing, and studying evolutionary
relationships
Pg 274b
Figure 16.3
More uses of Biotech!
Figure 16.5a
Figure 16.5b
Spider Goat!
A goat that produces spider's web protein is about to revolutionize the
materials industry. Stronger and more flexible than steel, spider silk offers a
lightweight alternative to carbon fibre.
Up to now it has been impossible to produce "spider fibre" on a commercial
scale. Unlike silk worms, spiders are too anti-social to farm successfully.
Now a Canadian company claims to be on the verge of producing unlimited
quantities of spider silk - in goat's milk.
Using techniques similar to those used to produce Dolly the sheep, scientists
at Nexia Biotechnologies in Quebec have bred goats with spider genes. (BBC)