Genetic Engineering Overview

Genetic Engineering Overview

• Genetic engineering involves altering the DNA of living organisms to create Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
• Transgenic organisms have genes transferred from one species to another; for instance, bacteria can produce human insulin.

Genetic Engineering Techniques

• Artificial selection is the process of breeding organisms to achieve desired traits, including selective breeding, hybridization, and inbreeding.
• Cloning produces exact genetic copies of organisms, typically through somatic cell nuclear transfer.
• Gene splicing entails excising DNA from one organism and inserting it into another, making recombinant DNA.
• Gel electrophoresis is used to analyze and compare DNA fragments.

Artificial Selection

• Selective breeding focuses on mating organisms with specific traits to enhance those traits in offspring.
• Hybridization crosses individuals with distinct traits to combine desirable characteristics; examples include the Burbank potato (disease-resistant).
• Inbreeding maintains desired traits within a breed but risks increasing genetic disorders owing to reduced genetic variation.

Cloning

• Cloning creates organisms that are genetically identical to another; the well-known example is Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned.
• Cloning can produce organisms from a single parent cell, resulting in identical DNA but potentially different physical traits due to environmental factors.
• Cloning has benefits like creating genetically identical organisms with desirable traits but poses risks such as decreased genetic diversity and high failure rates.

Gene Splicing

• Gene splicing removes specific genes from an organism and inserts them into another organism, leading to the production of genetically modified traits such as insulin production from bacteria.
• Uses restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sequences and plasmids to facilitate the transfer of genes.
• Benefits of gene splicing include lower-cost medical treatments and reduced side effects, as seen with human insulin produced by modified bacteria.

Gel Electrophoresis

• Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments to compare genetic material across organisms, useful in forensic science and paternity testing.
• The technique involves cutting DNA with restriction enzymes, loading it into a gel, and applying an electric current to separate fragments by size.
• Unique DNA patterns allow for the creation of DNA fingerprints, enabling differentiation between individuals.

Recombinant DNA

• Recombinant DNA involves combining DNA from two different organisms and can be created through various techniques such as selective breeding and gene splicing.
• Cloning does not create recombinant DNA because it replicates existing DNA rather than combining genetic material from different sources.