Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main process involved in genetic engineering?
What is the main process involved in genetic engineering?
What is recombinant DNA?
What is recombinant DNA?
When did modern genetic engineering begin?
When did modern genetic engineering begin?
What significant application of genetic engineering was achieved in 1982?
What significant application of genetic engineering was achieved in 1982?
Signup and view all the answers
What ethical concern is often associated with genetic engineering?
What ethical concern is often associated with genetic engineering?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following describes a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
Which of the following describes a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following historical practices aligns with the principles of genetic engineering?
Which of the following historical practices aligns with the principles of genetic engineering?
Signup and view all the answers
Which scientist was involved in the first successful genetic engineering of an organism?
Which scientist was involved in the first successful genetic engineering of an organism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a plasmid?
What is a plasmid?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'transgenic organism' refer to?
What does the term 'transgenic organism' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) function in genetic engineering?
How does the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) function in genetic engineering?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about GMOs is true?
Which of the following statements about GMOs is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key feature of genetic engineering in agriculture?
What is a key feature of genetic engineering in agriculture?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of using restriction enzymes in the genetic engineering process?
What is the purpose of using restriction enzymes in the genetic engineering process?
Signup and view all the answers
How is golden rice genetically engineered to benefit human health?
How is golden rice genetically engineered to benefit human health?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Genetic Engineering Definition
- Genetically engineered organisms have had their DNA altered by humans
- Genetic engineering is the process of altering an organism’s DNA
- Ethical considerations surround genetic engineering as humans are altering the fundamental building blocks of life
- Practical applications exist for genetic engineering across medicine, agriculture, and commercial markets
Genetic Engineering History
- Selective breeding, dating back thousands of years, is an early form of genetic engineering
- Modern genetic engineering started in 1973 with scientists Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen, who first successfully cut and pasted DNA into bacteria
- The Supreme Court ruling allowing patenting of genetically engineered organisms in 1982 facilitated further research and applications
Genetic Engineering Process
- Genetic engineering involves processes of isolating, cloning, and inserting genes into a host organism’s genome
- Host: The organism receiving the modified DNA
- Vector: The method used to transfer recombinant DNA into a host, which can be made of DNA or composed of a living system (e.g., bacteria or virus)
- Plasmid: A circular piece of DNA used as a vector to transfer small pieces of recombinant DNA into bacteria
- Restriction enzymes: Cut both the isolated gene and the vector at specific sequences, creating complementary ‘sticky ends’
- DNA ligase: An enzyme that joins the isolated gene and vector together, creating a recombinant DNA molecule
Transgenic Organisms vs. Genetically Modified Organisms
- Transgenic organisms: Have DNA from a different species incorporated into their genome
- Genetically modified organism (GMOs): Organisms with altered DNA, but not necessarily containing DNA from a different species
- All transgenic organisms are GMOs, but not all GMOs are transgenic
Genetic Engineering Examples
Agriculture
-
Bt cotton:
- Contains genes from Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria
- These genes produce an insecticide that helps protect the cotton from insects, leading to increased crop yield
-
Golden rice:
- Contains genes for plant phytoene synthase (psy) and a bacterial phytoene desaturase
- These genes produce beta-carotene, a key precursor to vitamin A, in the rice grains
- Aims to address vitamin A deficiencies, particularly in developing nations
Medicine
-
Human insulin production in bacteria:
- Bacteria are genetically engineered with the human gene for insulin, enabling mass production of the hormone
- Enables treatment of diabetes
Research
-
Knock-in and knock-out organisms:
- Used to study gene function by adding or removing genes from the genome
- Help understand the effects of specific genes and their roles in development and disease
-
Disease models:
- Created to understand human disease by modifying genes in cells or organisms
- Allow scientists to study disease progression, investigate potential treatments, and identify drug targets
Commercial Uses
-
Glow organisms:
- Organisms engineered to express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from jellyfish
- Used for research and commercial purposes
- Examples include rabbits, cats, and fish
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the fundamentals of genetic engineering, including its definition, history, and processes. Understand how DNA alteration has practical applications and ethical implications in various fields such as medicine and agriculture.
