Chapter_ST2_3_6_posted

Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Outline of Key Topics

• Genetic Engineering Applications:

  • Biopharmaceuticals

  • Agriculture

  • Medical diagnosis

  • Pharmacogenomics/Rational drug design

  • Gene therapy

• Ethics of Genetic Engineering

Genetically Engineered Organisms

• Biopharmaceuticals:

  • Use of recombinant DNA technology for therapeutic proteins.

  • Biofactories utilizing transgenic animals for therapeutics due to limitations of bacteria in producing certain human proteins.

Examples of Biopharmaceuticals

• Insulin Production:

  • The first biopharmaceutical, human insulin produced in E. coli, approved in 1982 by the FDA.

  • Process involves:

    • Treating cyanogen bromide to cleave insulin chains.

    • Transforming E. coli to produce functional insulin.

• Various Gene Products and Conditions Treated:

  • Erythropoietin: Treats anemia (E. coli, cultured mammalian cells)

  • Interferons: Treats multiple sclerosis and cancer

  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): Treats heart attack and stroke

  • Human Growth Hormone: Treats dwarfism

  • Monoclonal Antibodies: Against cancers

  • Recombinant Human Antithrombin: Treats hereditary deficiency

  • Edible Vaccines: Against Hepatitis B infections in transgenic bananas and yeast.

Genetic Engineering in Agriculture

• Applications in Crop Improvement:

  • Enhancing growth characteristics and nutritional value.

  • Resistance to pests, drought, and herbicides.

• Roundup Ready Crops:

  • Glyphosate inhibits EPSP synthase; transgenic crops possess a resistant version isolated from E. coli.

Genetic Engineering Beyond Plants

• Transgenic Animals:

  • Cows engineered to:

    • Increase milk nutritional value and quantity.

    • Protect against disease pathogens, including bioweapons.

  • GloFish:

    • Used as a bioassay for water contamination.

• Transgenic Mice: Utilized for various research applications.

Synthetic Biology Highlights

• Cloning of genomic cassettes in E. coli, complete genome assembly in yeast, and genome transplantation to other bacteria.

Genetic Testing Techniques

• Amniocentesis Process:

  • Analysis of amniotic fluid for genetic testing, including karyotyping and biochemical analysis.

• Types of Genetic Tests:

  • Prenatal, newborn screening (e.g., PKU), diagnostic testing (e.g., sickle cell anemia), and predictive testing (e.g., BRCA1).

Specific Examples of Genetic Testing

• Sickle Cell Anemia Testing:

  • Uses RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and ASO (Allele-specific oligonucleotides).

Microarray Technology Applications

• Gene Expression Patterns:

  • Identification of cancer types and pathogens such as E. coli and SARS.

Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)

• Identification of disease-related marker sequences through sequence analysis.

Pharmacogenomics Overview

• Using genomic data to tailor pharmaceutical treatments based on an individual’s genotype.

Gene Therapy Overview

• Transfer of normal genes to correct genetic defects (e.g., ADA gene therapy for SCID).

• Ashanti DeSilva: First gene therapy recipient, leading a normal life post-treatment, still requiring maintenance therapy.

Challenges and Future of Gene Therapy

• Previous setbacks due to immune responses and cancer risk.

• Ongoing research focuses on safe gene delivery methods and effective gene expression control.

Ethical Concerns in Genetic Engineering

• Frankenfoods:

  • Addressing consumer safety and environmental impact.

• Performance Enhancement:

  • Issues with EPO and growth hormone use in sports.

• Designer Babies:

  • Ethical lines between correction and enhancement.

• Genetic Discrimination:

  • Impact on healthcare and employment.

Summary of Ethical Issues

• Genetic testing raises ethical dilemmas, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and handling of DNA patents, as seen in Myriad Genetics case.