GMOs Flashcards
What is the Human Genome Project?
~involved sequencing of entire human genome
~ information gained in HGP is stored in databases, within which genes coding for certain proteins can be found + analysed
~ knowing sequence + structure of proteins involved in disease —> development of drugs that target specific proteins
What did the human genome project find?
- new genes + proteins —> possible new targets for drugs
-genetic variations in population - single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) —> explains why certain drugs work better in different groups, led to personalised medicine
What is personalised medicine?
Development of drugs to treat variety of diseases in people w/ different genotypes
Describe social, ethical & moral issues with personalised medicine
• Increased research costs = drug companies could increase price of new medicines, means only accessible to the wealthy
• insurance companies and employers may use personalised medical data against individuals —> unfairly discriminate against them e.g. insurance companies charge more for ppl w/ certain SNPs
• some patients may be refused personalised medicine if not predicted to be that effective for them, even if there are no other treatment options
• knowing the only medication available may not work could be very distressing for the individual being treated and their families
Describe how genetically modified micro organisms are made
1) restriction enzymes used to remove gene coding for the desired protein
2) many copies of gene created with polymerase chain reaction —> DNA polymerase joins free nucleotides into new complimentary strands of DNA
3) Copies inserted into plasmids (small loops of DNA) which transfer the copies into micro-organisms —> plasmids = DNA vectors
4) enzyme DNA ligase catalyses joining of the desired gene to the plasmid vector (forms phosphodiester bonds)
5) genetically modified micro-organisms grown in large fermenters containing nutrients, enabling multiplication to produce large quantities of new protein
6) protein can be isolated + purified before being packaged and distributed
Give examples of drugs from GM bacteria
Human insulin and human blood clotting factors
Describe how GM plants can be made
1) Same process to create GM bacteria
2) GM bacteria can then be used to infect plant cells —> bacterium = vector
3) gene transferred from bacterial cell into plant cell nucleus; plant cell stimulated to multiply + grow into adult plant
4) protein from plant tissues can be purified or theplant can be eaten to deliver the drug
Give examples of drugs from GM plants
Human insulin + cholera vaccine
Describe how GM animals can be made
1) Gene coding for the desired protein injected into nucleus of zygote
2) zygote implanted into uterus of a surrogate animal; develops into adult animal
3) protein can then be purified e.g. from milk of animal
Give examples of drugs from GM animals
Human blood clotting proteins produced from milk of GM animals
Describe benefits of using GMOs
- crops can be GM to produce higher yields + increase nutritional value, reduces famine/malnutrition
- crops can be modified to be resistant to pests; reduces pesticide use so lowering production costs and environmental damage
- can be used to produce enzymes used in industrial processes; cost effective
- diseases can be treated w human proteins from GMOs rather than animal proteins; reduces risk of allergic reactions + more effective
- vaccines can be produced in GM plants tissues; do not need to be refrigerated so more accessible
Describe risks of using GMOs
- concerns about long term impact of consuming GM food organisms on human health
- pests may develop resistance to modified crop defences = increase use of pesticides
- transmission of genetic material between GM and non GM organisms
- GM crop varieties often owned by the companies developing them so can be very expensive
- moral objections to GMing animals for sole purpose of benefiting humans
