Download MODERN GENETICS USES DNA TECHNOLOGY

MODERN GENETICS USES
DNA TECHNOLOGY
• CHANGES IN DNA CAN CHANGE AN
ORGANISM (via selective breeding and genetic
engineering)
– Random DNA changes may introduce new traits into
an organism. Over time certain traits may be more
common in 1 group as they interact with environment.
• THERE ARE RISKS & BENEFITS
ASSOCIATED WITH GENETIC
ENGINEERING
• DNA TECHNOLOGY HAS MANY
APPLICATIONS (through DNA identification
and Studying Genomes).
DNA CHANGES CHANGING
AN ORGANISM
• SELECTIVE BREEDING: selecting and
breeding parent organisms to pass on particular
traits to offspring.
• People were not changing DNA, just letting
certain alleles become more common in a
particular breed.
• Different breeds of dogs show this.
CHANGING ORGANISMS
• Genetic Engineering: a sequence of DNA from
an organism is isolated, changed, & returned to
an organism or another organism. (can take gene
from one species and transfer it into DNA of
another). The resulting organism is genetically
modified or (GM).
• Genetically modified plants have insect-resistant
genes from micro-organisms spliced into their
DNA, protecting them from bugs.
• Genetically modified tomatoes are now able to
grow in very salty soil like the cabbage they
received a gene from.
Risks & Benefits with Genetic
Engineering
• Most everyone has eaten GM corn/soybeans.
They are insect resistant, so increases food
production, and less chemical pesticides needed,
so less environmental pollution.
• Many worry of possible effects on humans. Also,
what if they cross-breed so weeds grow out of
control.
• Scientists try to keep genetically modified plants
and animals out of the general population in case
it would have a negative effect on the natural
wild population. Much debate continues dealing
with this issue.
DNA TECHNOLOGY HAS
MANY USES
• DNA technology can be used to add nutrients to
food, make new & better drugs, see if a drug
might cause side effects, screen for and maybe
treat genetic disorders.
• Law enforcement uses DNA fingerprinting
(unique unless identical twin) to solve crimes.
The more matches between crime scene DNA
and suspect’s DNA, the higher the probability
suspect is guilty.
• Experts recommend 4-6 DNA regions be
matched to establish guilt (chances are very small
someone else would have the same DNA for this
number of regions).
DNA technology
• GENOME: all the genetic material
in an organism.
• HUMAN GENOME PROJECT:
tried to sequence the 3 billion
nucleotide pairs in a single set of
human chromosomes. First
sequence finished in 2001, now
scientists working to identify the
30,000 genes found
• We as a society have to decide
when it is acceptable to change
DNA & how to use the technology
we have.
DNA technology continued
• CLONING: a technique using technology to
make copies of DNA. Can be used for a segment
of DNA or an entire organism.
• Cloning has been used with bacteria to make
protein & drugs to help fight disease (human
insulin from GM bacteria cloned)
• First mammal cloned in 1996, Dolly the sheep.
• Ability to clone such a complex animal raises
many concerns about the future use of cloning.