Ethics of Genetic Manipulation & Breeding

Question 1

What is a recessive defect that is kept due to curiosity in breeding practices?

Answer 1

Hereford ‘snorter’ dwarves

This refers to a specific genetic anomaly found in Hereford cattle.

Question 2

What is an example of a compromising recessive defect in breeding?

Answer 2

Merino skin

This defect is associated with line breeding practices.

Question 3

What is a semi-lethal gene linked to production traits in pigs?

Answer 3

Halothane gene

This gene is associated with stress sensitivity.

Question 4

What can be an unwanted repercussion of selecting for production traits in broilers?

Answer 4

Abnormal gait and inability to bear their own weight

This results from rapid growth in broilers.

Question 5

What is a consequence of breeding brachycephalic dogs?

Answer 5

Brachycephalic airway syndrome

This condition is associated with the physical structure of these dogs.

Question 6

What is a genetic issue faced by Belgian Blue cattle?

Answer 6

Dystocia due to double muscle

This issue arises from selective breeding for muscle mass.

Question 7

What is a consequence of increasing egg yield in layers?

Answer 7

Osteoporosis

This condition affects the skeletal health of laying hens.

Question 8

Define heritability (h²).

Answer 8

A measure of the extent to which a trait can be changed through genetic selection.

Question 9

What does genetic correlation (rg) measure?

Answer 9

Strength of the genetic relationship between two traits.

Question 10

What is genetic antagonism?

Answer 10

Occurs when genetic selection for one trait results in unwanted traits emerging.

Question 11

What does a heritability value of <0.2 indicate?

Answer 11

Not really heritable.

Question 12

What does a heritability value of 0.2-0.4 indicate?

Answer 12

Moderately heritable.

Question 13

What does a heritability value of >0.4 indicate?

Answer 13

Strongly heritable.

Question 14

What is the range for genetic correlation (rg)?

Answer 14

-1.0 to +1.0.

Question 15

What does a genetic correlation of 0 indicate?

Answer 15

No genetic correlation.

Question 16

What is considered a weak genetic correlation range?

Answer 16

0 to +/- 0.2.

Question 17

What is considered a moderate genetic correlation range?

Answer 17

+/- 0.2 to 0.4.

Question 18

What is considered a strong genetic correlation range?

Answer 18

> +/- 0.4.

Question 19

What is the heritability (h²) range for milk yield in dairy cattle?

Answer 19

0.22-0.5.

Question 20

What is the genetic correlation (rg) for milk yield and number of services per conception?

Answer 20

0.41.

Question 21

What is the heritability (h²) for growth rates in layer hens?

Answer 21

0.71.

Question 22

What is the heritability (h²) range for feather pecking in layers?

Answer 22

0.05 – 0.56.

Question 23

What is the genetic correlation (rg) range between growth rate and feather pecking?

Answer 23

-0.3 to -0.9.

Question 24

What is the heritability (h²) range for birthweight in beef cattle?

Answer 24

0.11 to >0.8.

Question 25

What is the genetic correlation (rg) for birthweight and dystocia linked to the calf?

Answer 25

0.81.

Question 26

What is the heritability (h²) for breech cover in Merino sheep?

Answer 26

<0.16.

Question 27

What is the heritability (h²) for wool coverage in Merino sheep?

Answer 27

<0.16.

Question 28

What is the heritability (h²) for handling problems in cattle temperament scores?

Answer 28

0.1 - 0.6.

Question 29

What is an example of a trait with low heritability?

Answer 29

Maternal behaviour.

Question 30

What does low genetic diversity indicate?

Answer 30

Limited variety of alleles for genes within a species.

Question 31

What are the benefits of maintaining genetic diversity?

Answer 31

* Making rapid changes through breed substitution * Making new gene combinations * Dilution or elimination of semi-lethal genes * Reversal of inbreeding * Value to society.

Question 32

What is JIVET in relation to gene technologies?

Answer 32

An ethical consideration in gene technologies.

Question 33

Who was Dolly the sheep?

Answer 33

The first cloned mammal from an adult somatic cell.

Question 34

What is the moral issue surrounding cloning?

Answer 34

Extent to which technology is used.

Question 35

What was significant about the first patent on a living animal in 1988?

Answer 35

Company gained ownership of cancer-causing genes.

Question 36

Who is exempt from patenting under gene ownership laws?

Answer 36

Only humans.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: A human gene inserted into an animal could be patented if it is _______.

Answer 37

inserted.