6.3 Applications of Genetic Technologies Flashcards
Genetically modified organism (GMO)
any organism with genetic material that has
been altered through genetic engineering
transgenic
if it has acquired one or more genes from a different type of organism
In vitro fertilization
process of fertilizing an egg in a test tube or laboratory dish and transferring the embryo to the uterus (womb)
“pharming”
Using transgenic animals to produce pharmaceuticals
Dolly the sheep (1996–2003)
the first mammal to be successfully cloned from a somatic cell
How is producing a GM plant different from producing a GM animal?
Biologists can produce a genetically engineered plant cell that grows into an entire plant with new traits.
Recombinant DNA technology can be used to create transgenic plant cells. Biologists often use a plasmid from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens to introduce new genes into plant cells.
In vitro fertilization is the process of fertilizing an egg
in a test tube or laboratory dish and transferring the embryo to the uterus (womb). One procedure is to extract an egg cell from a female. Sperm from the same species is then used to fertilize the egg in a test tube or laboratory dish. Then the desired gene is injected into the fertilized egg. After a few rounds of cell division, the early embryo is transferred to an
animal’s uterus, where it can develop further. It usually takes many attempts before a fertilized egg will incorporate DNA from another source. If the embryo develops successfully, the result is a GM animal.
Compare the techniques for producing a GM mammal and a cloned mammal
in vitro fertilization: process of fertilizing an egg
in a test tube or laboratory dish and transferring the embryo to the uterus (womb)
nuclear transplantation: nucleus of a single cell is obtained from the donor, the adult animal to be cloned. The donor nucleus from the adult cell replaces the nucleus of an unfertilized egg cell from another
animal of the same species
The egg then develops into an animal that has the same genome as the donor. The new animal is a clone of the animal that supplied the nucleus.
Give an example of a potential risk posed by GMOs
There are concerns that transgenic species
could be harmful to human health or to the environment.
For example, people are concerned that GM salmon could escape and compete with wild salmon
Another concern is that GM plant or animal products could have unknown risks to human consumers
Gene therapy
process of supplementing or replacing a gene in order to treat a medical condition.
2 challenges in gene therapy
Two challenges are delivering a gene to the
correct target and making sure the therapy works in the long term
What is a genetically modified organism?
any organism with genetic material that has
been altered through genetic engineering.
A GMO is said to be transgenic if it has acquired one or more genes from a different type of organism
List some benefits obtained from genetically
modifying plants
delayed ripening, improved nutritional content, stress tolerance, or resistance to spoilage or disease
Describe a method for genetically
modifying animals
In vitro fertilization is the process of fertilizing an egg
in a test tube or laboratory dish and transferring the embryo to the uterus(womb).
One procedure is to extract an egg cell from a female. Sperm from the same species is then used to fertilize the egg in a test tube or laboratory dish. Then the desired gene is injected into the fertilized egg.
After a few rounds of cell division, the early embryo is transferred to an animal’s uterus, where it can develop further.
What is nuclear transplantation?
-used to clone an animal
The nucleus of a single cell is obtained from the donor, the adult animal to be cloned. The donor nucleus from the adult cell replaces the nucleus of an unfertilized egg cell from another animal of the same species.
What is the name of the agency responsible
for regulating the development and testing of
genetically modified foods in Canada?
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
What is Bt toxin? Why have people engineered
corn to carry the Bt toxin gene?
Bacillus thuringiensis
The Bt toxin kills specific types of insects, such as corn borers and cotton bollworms, without harming humans or most other animals. Upon ingesting Bt toxin, the enzymes of the insect’s digestive system convert the toxin to a form that kills the insect. Corn and other crop plants carrying the toxin gene produce high yields without having to be sprayed with chemical pesticides.
How is Agrobacterium tumefaciens used in
genetic engineering?
Biologists often use a plasmid from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens to introduce new genes into plant cells. This technique has been used to create transgenic varieties of tomato, potato, tobacco, soybean, walnut, and apple.
What might a scientist examine to
determine whether a person is a carrier
for a genetic disorder?
Genetic tests can be done on small samples of blood or saliva (spit). In pregnant women, genetic testing can be done on amniotic fluid (through amniocentesis) or the placenta (through chorionic villus sampling). Testing can also be done on an embryo during in vitro fertilization (IVF)
The phrase “in vitro” means “in glass.”
Why is in vitro fertilization a suitable
name for the technique?
Because fertilization occurs in the Petri dish rather than in the woman’s body, this process has been called “in vitro.” The eggs and sperm are maintained in a special culture media (nutrient fluid) within a controlled environment (incubator).
Describe how to use genetic engineering to
produce desired protein products from each
of the following.
(a) bacteria
Using restriction enzymes, scientists can cut and paste together DNA from different species. For example, by cutting and pasting the gene for human insulin into bacteria, we can use the bacteria as biofactories to produce insulin for diabetic patients
Describe how to use genetic engineering to
produce desired protein products from each
of the following.
(b) plants
For example, genetic engineers have developed lines
of safflower plants that produce a wide variety of products. One of these products is insulin, for the treatment of diabetes.
Transgenic safflower can efficiently produce authentic molecules of human insulin. Insulin is then extracted from the oily seeds of the safflower plant.
Typically, insulin is produced from genetically engineered yeast or bacteria.
Describe how to use genetic engineering to
produce desired protein products from each
of the following.
(c) mammals
Most cases involve adding a gene for a desired human protein, such as a hormone, to the genome of a farm mammal. The gene is added in such a way that the desired human protein is secreted in the animal’s milk. The human protein can then be purified.
How has genetic engineering increased genetic
variation in some species?
In vitro fertilization
The offspring contains one or more genes from a third
“parent” that may even be of a different species.
Genetic Engineering could increase genetic diversity and produce more variant alleles that could also be crossed over and implanted into other species.
How does gene therapy differ from taking
medications such as pain killers?
Gene therapy is the process of supplementing
or replacing a gene in order to treat a medical condition. Gene therapy allows the body to make the protein that is not being made by the missing or malfunctioning gene
Pain killers could be addictive and have side effects
What are some concerns related to the safety
of genetically modified foods?
Pharmaceuticals produced from transgenic farm animals may also pose certain risks.
For example, human proteins produced in the milk of a
transgenic mammal can differ slightly from natural human proteins.
For this reason, transgenic products used in medicines or foods have to be tested very carefully.
It is important to make sure that the proteins produced by GMOs will not cause allergic reactions or other negative health effects in people