Genetic Engineering: A Key Concept in Biology

An introduction to Genetic Engineering, Recombinant DNA Technology, and CRISPR technology. Involves Benefits and Ethical Considerations.

Genetic Engineering

a field of biotechnology that involves manipulating an organism's genetic material to alter its characteristics.

Agriculture

Development of genetically modified crops with improved yield, pest resistance, and environmental tolerance.

Medicine

Production of therapeutic proteins, gene therapies, and potential treatments for genetic disorders.

Biotechnology

Production of valuable substances like insulin, growth hormones, and enzymes through genetically modified organisms.

Environmental conservation

Development of organisms that can degrade pollutants or enhance biodiversity.

Genotype

In the field of biotechnology, scientists have made significant advancements in altering an organism's _________

Biotechnology tools

Tools that allow scientists to manipulate an organism's genetic material, known as its genotype.

Insulin

a hormone used to regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes.

Production of Insulin by Bacteria

One prominent application of changing an organism’s genotype

Ethical considerations

Addressing ethical and safety concerns for responsible and beneficial applications.

Insulin Production in Bacteria

Process of inserting the human insulin gene into bacteria to produce insulin.

Human insulin gene

this is a segment of DNA encoding the instructions for insulin production, precisely inserted into the bacterial genome

Recombinant DNA Technology

This integration of insulin production is achieved using advanced molecular biology techniques, such as what?

Bacterial culture

Carefully cultivated under controlled conditions. This ensures optimal growth and maximum insulin production.

Purification

involves precise filtration steps, chromatography techniques, and protein separation methods

Viruses

can be used as vectors to deliver genes of interest into cells.

Vectors

Using viruses or microinjection/gene guns to deliver genes into cells for genetic manipulation.

Microinjection

Involves directly injecting DNA into the nucleus of cells using a fine needle, while gene guns use high pressure to shoot DNA-coated particles into the cells.

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats

Meaning of CRISPR

CRISPR-Cas9

Revolutionary gene-editing tool using Cas9 nuclease enzyme guided by gRNA to cut DNA for precise modifications.

Cas9 nuclease enzyme

CRISPR allows for precise editing of DNA sequences by using the _____

gRNA

Cas9 is guided to the target gene by a small RNA molecule called

CRISPR technology

is utilized in various organisms, including plants, animals, and humans.

Gene Editing

Manipulating DNA to remove or insert specific genes with high precision.

Ethical Concerns

Human Genetic Engineering, Environmental Impact, Informed Consent, Safety, and Social Justice.

Ethical Frameworks

Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics.

Utilitarianism

Assessing the overall benefits and harms of genetic engineering to determine if the benefits outweigh the potential risks and ethical concerns.

Deontology

Evaluating genetic engineering practices based on moral duties and principles, such as respect for autonomy, justice, and non-maleficence.

Virtue Ethics

Examining the character traits and virtues that genetic engineering promotes or undermines, such as compassion, fairness, and responsibility.

Ethical considerations

The process of addressing ethical and safety concerns for responsible and beneficial applications.

Escherichia coli

Meaning of E. coli

E. coli

Susceptible bacterial host of insulin production

Animal-based insulin production

Not sustainable and cost-effective compared to insulin production in bacteria

Gene Therapy

Using viruses or microinjection/gene guns to deliver genes into cells for genetic manipulation.

Eugenics

aims to improve the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding and controlled reproduction.

Genetically Modified Organisms

meaning of GMOs

GMOs

are living organisms whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology techniques. They are commonly used in agriculture to enhance crop yield, improve resistance to pests or diseases, and increase nutritional value.

Improve crop yield

In plants, CRISPR can be used to ____________, enhance disease resistance, or modify nutritional content.

Animals

In _____, CRISPR can aid in creating disease models, studying gene functions, or developing genetically modified organisms.

CRISPR

In humans, it holds promise for treating genetic disorders, developing personalized medicine, and potentially curing diseases.