HSC BIOLOGY MODULE 6

What is genetic technology?

Assist in understanding gene expression, modifying genes, screening for disease manipulating DNA, and artificial reproduction

What are GMOs?

Genetically modified plants or animals (mostly Transgenic organisms)

New properties e.g. insect resistant, more suitable to environments, better yield

Used in research, disease control, medicine, agriculture

How are GMOs developed

Desired trait identified

Isolate the gene (restriction enzymes) and make copies (PCR)

Copy of gene transferred into organism's genome (plasmid, gene gun)

Grow organism

Test

Social implications GMO

Improve nutrition and yield e.g. Golden Rice

Patenting - farmers need to buy seeds

Crops - less insecticides

Decrease in variation

Ethical implications GMO

Concerns of toxicity

Religious values

Can have effects on species and biodiversity

Equity of access

Legal implications GMO

Cross pollination - farmers can be sued

Legal framework - need labelling

Bt Cotton

Insect resistant transgenic crop

Combat cotton bollworm pert - altered genome expresses a microbial protein from bacterium bacillus thuringiensis

Reduce insecticide by 93% - reduce run off, improved soil quality

What is a transgenic species

Transplant of genes from one species to another

Used in scientific research, medicine, pharmaceutical production, agriculture

How are transgenic species made

Use recombinant DNA techniques to transfer DNA into the new species - expresses new gene instead

Golden Rice Example

GMO - daffodil genes to have more beta carotene which the body converts to vitamin A

Impact of transgenic species on environment

Existing species can be overrun

Reduce genetic diversity - DNA becomes too similar

Hybridisation - cross of GM and non GM - reduce genetic diversity of wild species

Traits may be too advantageous - over competition

Aqua-Bounty

Approved by US food and drug administration

Atlantic Salmon engineered to grow faster - 18 months

Growth genome from Chinook salmon and genetic regulatory elements from ocean pout - continuous growth hormone

Enables faster growth, more yield, improve economics

May be an overabundance - lack of food

Examples of genetic technology

GMOS

Transgenic species

Examples of reproductive technology

Artificial insemination

Selective breeding

What is selective breeding?

Chose which male and female individuals mate

Manipulate the transfer of genetic information

What is genetic screening?

the process of testing DNA to determine a person's risk of having or passing on a genetic disorder

Detect abnormalities or changes to genes

Can terminate unwanted embryos

Designer baby

a baby whose genetic makeup has been manipulated to prevent certain defects or to ensure that a particular gene is present

Ethical issues

What is reproductive technology?

Technology involved in reproduction

What is artificial insemination?

Transfer of semen from male to female uterus - fertilised outside of the body (in vitro fertilisation)

Semen samples screened for disease and quality

How does artificial insemination assist with reproduction?

Use when sperm count is low or low fertility

Semen can be stored and used in the future

Use of artificial seminarian in agriculture

Animal husbandry - raised for meat, milk, products

Enhance desirable characteristics

Higher yield - more desirable

Use of artificial insemination in medicine

Sperm can be stored - cryptopreservation

Inseminate large number of females

High chance of fertilisation

Remove diseases from gene pool

Use of artificial insemination in industry

Cheaper production of meat, fibre etc

Better adapted to industry needs

Sperm can be transported

Impact of artificial insemination on biodiversity

Expansion of gene pool - avoid interbreeding

Improve reproductive success

Alter genome

Enhance changes of fertilisation

Wildlife conservation

New genetic variation - transport between zoos

Impact of artificial insemination on society

Characteristics favourable to humans may be uncomfortable for animal - excess muscle

Example of artificial insemination

Belgium Blue Cow - bred with others with maximum muscle mass

Double muscle - analysed for best sperm

Remove gene regulating growth of muscle

Inserted into female

What is artificial pollination?

Transfer of pollen from one flower to another

How does artificial pollination work?

Pollen taken from stamen of plant with desired characteristics

Dusted over stigma of other plant

Benefit of artificial pollination for agriculture

Receive desired characteristics

Increased yield

Better quality

Quick process

Benefit of artificial pollination for medicine

Fortification

Express beneficial nutrients and vitamins

Benefit of artificial pollination for industry

Rapid and more successful production

Biodiversity issues of artificial pollination

Existing species can be overrun

Reduce genetic diversity

Over competition

Cross contamination

Social impact of artificial pollination

Large companies may overtake smaller business

Example artificial pollination

Artificial pollination of kiwi fruit to gain bigger, better quality fruits

What is CRISPR?

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats

Insert viruses genetic code into bacteria - if attacked again RNA makes copy cutting out the virus DNA using CAS9

CAS9 hunts for specific sites - cuts DNA disabling targeted gene with precision

What are the pros of CRISPR?

Cheap, quick, easy to use

Remove disease and mutations

Programmable - can switch genes on and off

Potentially reverse ageing - increase life expectancy

Improve food products - reduce excess culling

Request pet and child characteristics - modify genes

Challenges of CRISPR

Reject non perfect humans - pre-select qualities

Wrong edits

Unwanted changes