Download Genetics, Technology, Society

Genetics, Technology,
Society,
And the Environment!
GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
Scientists can alter the genes of many different organisms
in order to improve their use to people.
Example: COWS!
Cows can have their genes modified
in order to produce more milk, and
resist diseases.
Example: CANOLA!
Agricultural companies have developed canola that is genetically modified
to resist herbicides (“Round-Up Ready”)!
Biotechnology
Biotechnology describe
the use or modification
of living things to
improve our lives in
areas such as medicine,
agriculture, and
engineering.
Selecting Desirable Traits
Selective breeding is the process of selecting and breeding individuals with
desirable traits to produce offspring that also have these desired traits.
Example: Horse breeding.
Breeders will combine the
genes of two champion
parents, in hopes of
creating offspring that
have the prized traits.
Example: Corn! Indigenous people have been selectively breeding corn for
centuries. Corn was originally bred from teosinte!
Artificial Reproductive Technology
Artificial reproductive technology refers to any artificial method of joining a
male and a female gamete.
Example: Artificial Insemination (AI). AI is where sperm in collected from a
chosen male and inserted into one or many females.
HUGE advantages:
1. Faster
2. Safer
3. Can be used more than once!
Example: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Where sperm from a male and eggs
from a female are collected.
In a lab, the eggs and sperm are combined in a petri dish to fertilize the eggs.
Each embryo is this placed in a female.
Scientists can also determine
the sex of the embryos
before they are implanted!!
How is this good and bad?
Genetic Engineering (GE)
Genetic engineering refers to any technology process that directly alters the
DNA of an organism.
Much genetic engineering involves inserting a gene from one species into
another species.
Example: Bacteria are GE to
produce medicines such as
insulin! The human insulinproducing gene is inserted
into a bacterium’s DNA.
Risks of Biotechnology
Scientists and breeders can produce clones of a single animal.
Review: Why can clones be a bad thing?
Cloning and genetic engineering
have been fraught with
difficulties. Cattle cloners have
reported numerous examples of
unsuccessful pregnancies, birth
defects, and deaths amount
clones.
Accidental Changes to DNA
Sometimes DNA is inadvertently altered or damaged by environmental factors
and personal choices.
Usually, the cell will detect the change and either fix it or the cell is
destroyed.
However, if the damage is not detected, normal cell function can be disrupted
and diseases, such as cancer, can result.
1. Carcinogens
These chemicals can change a cell’s DNA or change the way a cell
reproduces.
Examples:
2. Sun Exposure
Overexposure to the ultraviolet rays from sunlight and from
tanning beds is a major cause of skin cancer.
Genetic Conditions
A genetic condition is a disease or disorder that is caused by damaged or
faulty DNA.
Genetic conditions can be caused by:
1. The combination of alleles. Genetic conditions are caused by recessive
alleles. (this is why they are rare.)
2. An error in the copying of DNA during cell reproduction.
Examples of Genetic Conditions:
1. Male Infertility: Approximately 10% of all male infertility cases are
recognized as a genetic condition.
2. Breast Cancer: Approx. 10% of breast
cancers are genetic!
Sex-linked genetic conditions: (In humans, are sex chromosomes are the X
chromosome and the Y chromosome. Females: XX and Males: XY.
3. Colour Blindness (sex-linked):
4. Hemophilia (sex-linked): Linked to the X chromosome. A disease where the
blood is unable to clot.
6. Trisomy 21 (formerly Down Syndrome): Where the individual has an extra,
or third, chromosome 21.