Biotechnology

Genetic Modification

Genetic modification involves altering DNA to introduce a new, inherited trait.

• Produces genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

• Traits change because a new protein is produced.

gene —> protein —> characteristic

AIM

The genetic modification of an organism is the process of artificially altering the dna of an organism by adding, removing and changing specific genes of said organism to give it a new and desired characteristic.

gene —> protein —> characteristic (process)

1. Genetic modification (GM) alters an organism's characteristics by directly manipulating its DNA,

2. changing the instructions for protein synthesis (new dna sequence = new mRNA = new sequence of amino acids), and

3. ultimately altering the organism's traits through protein acting as a building block.

Artificial Organisms

Organisms that are designed and constructed completely from scratch (e.g., using synthetic DNA or chemically synthesized components) to be "up and running" without relying on a pre-existing natural organism's genome

Method:

1) A gene is isolated. This gene is cut from a donor dna

2) The gene is placed in a vector where both the vector and gene are cut using the same restrictor enzyme to form complementary ends.

3) The vector carries the gene to the host cell where it becomes a part of the host dna.

4) The gene is expressed - transcribed and translated to form a new protein determining the desired characteristic.

Use:

1. Production of human insulin

   1. GM bacteria produce insulin identical to human insulin.

   2. Used to treat diabetes (type 1 - replaces the missing effector)

Benefits

1. Benefits

   1. Increased food production

      1. Higher crop yields.

      2. Improved nutritional value.

   2. Medical benefits

      1. Cheaper production of medicines.

      2. Large-scale protein synthesis.

Risks

Risks

1. Environmental risks

   1. GM organisms may spread genes to wild populations and ecosystems may be disrupted. (GM genes are passed on through reproduction)

1. Ethical concerns

   1. worries about how humans are affecting the natural world. Nature should not be disturbed and should continue on its own without human interference.

What is cloning (natural)

The process of producing genetically identical copies of a cell or organism using natural or artificial methods.

• In natural cloning, for animals , one zygote is used to produce 2 daughter cells/individuals with identical dna

• In natural cloning for plants, vegetative propagation occurs where new plants grow from non-reproductive tissues.

Natural cloning also occurs through asexual reproduction, where there is no joining of gametes and only one parent with offspring that is genetically identical to the parent.

artificial cloning (plants+animals)

Artificial cloning in plants

• Cuttings: Taking a small piece of stem or leaf and growing it in the right conditions to produce a new plant.

• Tissue cloning: Getting a few cells from a desirable plant to make a big mass of identical cells, each of which can produce a tiny identical plant.

Artificial cloning in animals

• Embryo splitting: an early embryo divided into identical embryos.

disadvantages

• animal welfare concerns: embryo failure to develop normally —> health issues (LOW SUCCESS RATES)

• Low genetic diversity: Increases vulnerability to disease (deformities)

Successes

• Agriculture: Replication of desirable traits

• Conservation: Preserving genetic material of endangered species

• Producing new organs for transplant that won’t be rejected

Cloning vs. Sexual reproduction

Normal reproduction is sexual and requires the fusion of a sperm (male) and an egg (female). Cloning methods like embryonic splitting SCNT are asexual; it uses a body cell nucleus, so no sperm or fertilization is involved.