DNA Technologies

Question 1

Cloning (Purpose)

Answer 1

Gene cloning: Produce copies of genes

Reproductive cloning: produce copies of whole animals

Therapeutic cloning: produce embryonic stem cells for experiments to create tissues

Question 2

Cloning (Pros Cons)

Answer 2

Pros: Create new organs new organs or cells
Clone livestock for food
Create tissue
Cons
Genetic defects of original are copied to the duplicate.
Unpredictable long term results
Clone may not be treated ethically
Genetically identical animals are more prone to catch the diseases of animals around them.

Question 3

DNA Screening (Purpose)

Answer 3

Test individuals to determine whether they have the gene or genes associated with certain genetic disorders.

Question 4

DNA Screening (Pros Cons)

Answer 4

Pros: Detect genetic disorders
Cons: invasive. Example: amniocentesis involves inserting a needle through a pregnant woman’s abdominal wall to withdraw a sample of fluid from the amniotic sac
Costly

Question 5

Drug Research (Purpose)

Answer 5

Drug discovery, product development, pre-clinical research on micro-organisms or animals, and clinical trials on humans

Question 6

Drug Research (Pros Cons)

Answer 6

Pros: Develop treatments or cures for disorders
Cons: Costly
Can take years or decades to develop safe drugs
Ethical issues. Example: reporting false or biased lab results; ownership of a cure

Question 7

Stem Cells (Purpose)

Answer 7

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can produce various specialized cells; can be used to repair damaged cells

Question 8

Stem Cells (Pros Cons)

Answer 8

Pros: Repair and replace damaged cells
Opportunities to develop new medical treatments
Cons: Ethical issues. Example: obtaining embryonic stem cells destroys the embryo and some people consider this use to be taking a human life

Question 9

Types of Stem Cells

Answer 9

Totipotent stem cells – can become any kind of cell in the body
Pluripotent stem cells- less versatile and are seen in the embryo at day 5 of development
Adult stem cells – found in late development and after birth; can produce only specific kinds of cells

Question 10

Transgenic Organisms (Purpose)

Answer 10

An organism whose genetic information has been altered with the insertion of genes from another species

Question 11

Transgenic Organisms (Pros Cons)

Answer 11

Pros: Used for medical treatments
Used to create foods that are resistant to pests, have better nutritional value, and withstand drought or cold
Increase human food supply
Less time for farmers
Taste and looks better
Cons: Potential for unknown long term consequences
Increases the spread of viral diseases in the human population
Forces animals to adapt