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Grade 12 Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering involves modifying an organism's DNA to introduce desirable traits, resulting in genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The process includes several steps such as isolating the target gene, amplifying it, and inserting it into host cells, often using enzymes like restriction enzymes and DNA ligase. While GMOs have applications in agriculture and medicine, concerns exist regarding their safety, environmental impact, and regulatory measures in various countries.

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63 views18 pages

Grade 12 Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering involves modifying an organism's DNA to introduce desirable traits, resulting in genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The process includes several steps such as isolating the target gene, amplifying it, and inserting it into host cells, often using enzymes like restriction enzymes and DNA ligase. While GMOs have applications in agriculture and medicine, concerns exist regarding their safety, environmental impact, and regulatory measures in various countries.

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It's a girl lisanya
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GENETIC ENGINEERING

GRADE: 12
BIOLOGY
WHAT IS GENETIC ENGINEERING?
• Genetic engineering is when an organism’s DNA is modified or
manipulated normally by adding a foreign DNA (DNA from another
organism) to achieve desirable traits.
• Changing the genome enables engineers to give desirable
properties to different organisms.
• The new DNA formed is called a recombinant DNA. The organism is
a transgenic organism.
• Organisms created by genetic engineering is called a genetically
modified organism (GMO).
• Bacteria, plants, and animals have been genetically modified since
the early 1970s for academic, medical, agricultural, and industrial
purposes.
HISTORY OF GMO DEVELOPMENT
1973: created first genetically modified
bacteria
1974: created GM mice
1982: first commercial development of
GMOs (insulin-producing bacteria)
1994: began to sell genetically modified
food
2003: began to sell GMOs as pets
(Glofish)
WHAT IS THE GMO PROCESS?
• All genetic changes affect the protein synthesis of the organism.
• By changing which proteins are produced, genetic engineers can
affect the overall traits of the organism.
• Genetic modification can be completed by a number of different
methods:
• Inserting new genetic
material randomly or in
targeted locations
• Direct replacement of
genes (recombination)
• Removal of genes
• Mutation of existing genes
GMO BACTERIA
Bacteria are the most common GMOs because their simple structure permits
easy manipulation of their DNA.
One of the most interesting uses for genetically modified bacteria is the
production of hydrocarbons (plastics and fuels) usually only found in fossil
fuels.
• Cyanobacteria have been modified to produce plastic (polyethylene) and
fuel (butanol) as byproducts of photosynthesis
• E. Coli bacteria have been modified to produce diesel fuel.
The E. coli bacteria have also been modified to produce human insulin to
treat type 1 diabetes.
BASIC STEPS INVOLVED IN RECOMBINANT DNA
TECHNOLOGY

• Recombinant DNA technology is a technology which


allows DNA to be inserted into host organisms using
artificial means. The procedure is used to change DNA in
living organisms.
SIX STEPS OF RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

1. Isolating (target gene)- the gene of interest (target


gene) is identified. It is either cut out of the
chromosomes or made reverse transcription of
mRNA.
2. Amplification (making more) of the gene of
interest using a technique called PCR (polymerase
chain reaction).
3. The gene is then inserted into the vector which will deliver
the gene into the required cells.

4. The inserts the gene into the cell. The direct uptake of
foreign DNA by a host cell is called genetic transformation (or
transformation)

5. The cells that have been successfully transformed are


identified and cloned.

6. The cloned cells are used in industrial or medical situations.


ENZYMES USED IN RECOMBINANT DNA
TECHNOLOGY
Restriction Enzymes
Used to cut DNA chains at specific locations. These enzymes are produced by
bacteria, they are able to recognize specific 4 to 8bp (base pair) sequences,
called restriction sites, and then cleave both DNA strands at this site, and
creating sticky ends or blunt ends. The restriction-site sequence is the same on
each DNA strand when read in the 5′ → 3′ direction.

DNA Ligase
DNA ligase is used to covalently join the
ends of a restriction fragment and vector
DNA that have complementary ends.
DNA ligase “pastes” the DNA fragments
together
Steps involved
in modifying
bacteria to
produce
insulin
•At this point watch the videos in the
google classroom.
QUESTION
1. What is a genetic marker?
2. Why are scientists moving away from the
practice of using antibiotic resistant genes
as genetic markers in bacteria?
ENGINEERING PLANTS
How might genetic engineering modify
plants to solve everyday problems?
(Consider world hunger, weather problems, insecticide pollution…)
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
GMO crop production in the US (2010):
• 93% of soybeans
• 93% of cotton
• 86% of corn
• 95% of sugar beets
Example:
• One common modified crop is Bt-corn.
• A gene from the Bt bacteria is added so the corn produces a protein
that is poisonous to certain insects but not humans.
Banana Vaccines
Modified virus injected in
sapling tree causes the
bananas to contain virus
proteins

Venomous
Cabbage
Scorpion genes added to the
cabbage prevent insects
from eating it
OTHER REASONS TO GENETICALLY MODIFY
CROPS
• Insect resistant
• Herbicide resistant
• Drought/freeze resistant
• Disease resistant
• Higher yield
• Faster growth
• Improved nutrition
• Longer shelf life
Fast-Growing
Salmon
Genes from two other
fish cause this salmon to
continually produce
growth hormones

Less Smelly Cows


Modifying bacteria
responsible for methane
production in cattle results
in 25% less-flatulent cows
GMO CONCERNS
What are some concerns regarding genetically modified foods and
animals?
• Risk to human health; unsafe to eat
• Harm to the environment and wildlife
• Increased pesticide and herbicide use
• Farmers’ health
• Seed and pollen drift
• Creation of herbicide-resistant super weeds
• What about genetic engineering in humans?
Nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the countries in the European Union, have
enacted significant restrictions or full bans on the production and sale of genetically modified organism food
products, and 64 countries now have GMO labeling requirements.

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