B4. Recombinant DNA Technology

Question 1

Transformed organisms

Microorganisms, plants and animals can all be transformed using _______________ ___ __________. This is called __________ __________. Transformed microorganisms can be made using the same technology as in _____ cloning

Transformed plants can also be produced how? (3)

Transformed animals can be produced how? (3)

Promoter regions that are only __________ in _______ ____ ______can be used to control exactly which of an _________’s body cells the _________is produced in.
If the _______ is only produced in certain cells, it can be __________more easily. Producing the protein in the wrong cells could also ________ the organism.

Answer 1

Microorganisms, plants and animals can all be transformed using recombinant DNA technology. This is called genetic engineering. Transformed microorganisms can be made using the same technology as in vivo cloning

Transformed plants can also be produced

1. A gene that codes for a desirable protein is inserted into a plasmid.
2. The plasmid is added to a bacterium and the bacterium is used as a vector to get the gene into the plant cells.
3. If the right promoter region has been added along with the gene, the transformed cells will be able to produce the desired protein.

Transformed animals can be produced

1. A gene that codes for a desirable protein can be inserted into an early animal embryo or into the egg cells of a female.
2. If the gene is inserted into a very early embryo, all the body cells of the resulting transformed animal will end up containing the gene.
3. Inserting it into the egg cells means that when the female reproduces, all the cells of her offspring will contain the gene.

Promoter regions that are only activated in specific cell types can be used to control exactly which of an animal’s body cells the protein is produced in.
If the protein is only produced in certain cells, it can be harvested more easily. Producing the protein in the wrong cells could also damage the organism

Question 2

Transformed organisms - Example

Foreign DNA can be inserted into microorganisms to produce the protein insulin. Here’s how

Answer 2

Question 3

The benefits of transformed organisms
Humanitarians believe that using recombinant technology will benefit people in lots of different ways

Answer 3

• In agriculture
• In industry
• In medicine

Question 4

The benefits of transformed organisms (3, 3,1,2)

Answer 4

In Agriculture

• Agricultural crops can be transformed so that they give higher yields or are more nutritious. This means these plants can be used to reduce the risk of famine and malnutrition.
• Crops can also be transformed to have resistance to pests or droughts. Pest-resistant crops need fewer pesticides, which reduces costs and any environmental problems associated with using the chemicals.
• Drought-resistant crops can survive in drought-prone areas with little water

In Industry

• Industrial processes often use enzymes (biological catalysts). These enzymes can be produced from transformed organisms, so they can be produced in large quantities for less money, reducing costs.

In medicine

• Drugs made using recombinant DNA technology can be produced quickly, cheaply and in large quantities. This could make them more affordable and so available to more people.

Question 5

The concerns about transformed organisms (3, 4,2,3)

Answer 5

In agriculture

• Farmers might plant only one type of transformed crop which could make the whole crop vulnerable to the same disease because the plants are genetically identical.
• Environmentalists are also concerned about monocultures reducing biodiversity, as this could damage the environment.
• Some people are concerned about the possibility of ‘superweeds’ weeds that are resistant to herbicides. These could occur if transformed crops interbreed with wild plants. There could then be an uncontrolled spread of recombinant DNA, with unknown consequences.
• Organic farmers can have their crops contaminated by wind-blown seeds from nearby genetically modified crops. This means they can’t sell their crop as organic and may lose their income

In industry

• Without proper labelling, some people think they won’t have a choice about whether to consume food made using genetically engineered organisms. Some people are worried that the process used to purify proteins (from genetically engineered organisms) could lead to the introduction of toxins into the food industry.
• A few, large biotechnology companies control some forms of genetic engineering. As the use of this technology increases, these companies get bigger and more powerful. This may force smaller companies out of business, e.g. by making it harder for them to compete. Anti-globalisation activists are against this

In medicine

• Companies who own genetic engineering technologies may limit the use of technologies that could be saving lives.
• Also, some people worry that this technology could be used unethically, e.g. to make designer babies (babies that have characteristics chosen by their parents). This is currently illegal though.
• Recombinant DNA technology also creates ownership issues