New Genes For Old

Question 1

Explain how selective breeding can contribute to improved agricultural yields

Answer 1

Selective breeding improves crops snd livestock, such as increasing disease resistance or milk yeild

Question 2

How are selected genes transferred?

Answer 2

They are artificially transferred from one living organism to another

Question 3

What is the transfer of genes called?

Answer 3

Genetic engineering or genetic modification

Question 4

What can the transfer of genes produce?

Answer 4

Organisms with different characteristics

Question 5

In the future what can genetic engineering be used for?

Answer 5

To change a person’s genes and cure certain disorders

Question 6

What can a selected breeding programme lead to?

Answer 6

Inbreeding, which can cause health problems within the speices

Question 7

Explain how a selective breeding programme may reduce the gene pool leading to problems of inbreeding

Answer 7

• accumulation of harmful recessive characteristics

- reduction in variation

Question 8

Explain some potential advantages and risks of genetic engineering

Answer 8

Advantage - organisms with desired features are produced rapidly
Disadvantage - inserted genes may have unexpected harmful effects

Question 9

Understand the principles of genetic engineering

Answer 9

• selection of desired characteristics
• isolation of genes responsible
• insertion of the genes into other organisms
• replication of these organisms

Question 10

What could gene therapy involve?

Answer 10

Body cells or gametes

Question 11

Explain why gene therapy involving gametes is controversial?

Answer 11

• reduction in genetic diversity of the human gene pool could increase vulnerability to new diseases
• very little is known about gene regulation or the mechanisms of embryological development. The results of premature use of such techniques could be worse than the diseases they are meant to cure

Question 12

What is gene therapy?

Answer 12

Changing a person’s genes in an attempt to cure disorders is called gene therapy

Question 13

Discuss the ethical issues involved in genetic modification

Answer 13

• genetically modified plants may cross-breed with wild plants and release their new genes into the environment
• GM foods may not be safe to eat in the long term
• just replacing faulty genes, parents may want to engineer the genetic make-up of their child (creating designer babies)

Question 14

Describe some examples of genetic engineering

Answer 14

• the production of human insulin by genetically engineered bacteria
• transferring resistance to herbicides, frost damage or disease to crop plants
• taking the genes that control beta-carotene production and putting them into rice. Humans can then convert the beta-carotene from the rice into vitamin A

Question 15

Describe the process of selective breeding

Answer 15

• selection of the desired characteristics in parents
• allow the individuals to cross breed
• selection of desired offspring and allow these to become parents of the next generation