F1. Genetic Engineering

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Genetic Engineering

• _{Genes from one organism can be transferred into}

another organism – this is called genetic engineering.

• _{Species that have genes incorporated from other}

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Examples of GM organisms (GMOs)

• _{Crop plants that have had pest resistance genes added}

• _{Crop plants that have had drought resistance genes}

added

• _{Fish cells that have had a gene called luciferase}

transferred into them makes them glow in the dark.

• _{Christmas trees that have had luciferase transferred into}

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The Process of Genetic Modification

• _The_{restriction enzymes}_{are used to cut out the}

desired gene out of the DNA.

• _{The desired gene is then inserted into a loop of DNA}

known as a plasmid.

• _{To ensure that desired gene is incorporated into the}

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• _{The plasmid is then used to transfer the desired gene}

into a host cell.

• _{This host cell can now produce lots of the desired}

gene. For example, bacterial cells that have had the insulin gene transferred into them will produce lots of insulin.

• _{This same process can be used to produce drugs and}

other hormones.

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Vectors

• _{A vector is something which is able to carry a gene}

from one place to another place

• _{Plasmids are vectors as they carry the desired gene}

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Insulin is produced by GM bacteria

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The GM bacteria are grown in a fermenter

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Fermenters

• _{Industrial fermenters are equipped to make sure that}

large cultures of micro-organisms grow at their maximum rate.

Fermenters require:

• _{An oxygen and glucose source so bacteria can respire}

• _{A stirrer to keep the micro-organisms in suspension and}

nutrient concentration even.

• _{A cooling water-jacket to help keep the temperature at}

the optimum temperature. If the temperature is too high enzyme denature.

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Sterile environment

• _{This is important to prevent contamination of the}

product

• _{Prevent competition from other bacteria for}

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Advantages of using GM plants in food

production

• _{The world population has topped 7 billion people}

and is predicted to continue to rise. Ensuring an adequate food supply is a major challenge.

1. Pest resistance

• _{Growing GM crops that are resistant to pests this}

means we can use less pesticides. This limits damage to water supplies as less pesticides end up in our

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2. Disease resistance.

• _{There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause}

plant diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases

3. Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance.

• _{As the world population grows and more land will}

need to be used for food production. If salty land or land that suffers from little rainfall can be used, this increases the possible areas for food production.

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4. Nutrition

• _{Malnutrition is a common problem in poor countries.}

If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient

deficiencies could be alleviated.

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Disadvantages of using GM plants in food

production

• _{Environmental activists, religious organizations,}

scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods.

• _{It seems that everyone has a strong opinion about}

GM foods! Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories:

1. Environmental hazards 2. Human health risks

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1. Environmental Hazards

• _{Unintended harm to other organisms}_{. For example,}

a pest resistant type of corn produces a toxin may not only kill pests of corn but other insects as well.

• _Super-Weeds._{If a herbicide resistance gene}

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2. Human Health Risks

• _Allergies._{Many children have developed life-threatening}

allergies to peanuts and other foods. It is possible that introducing a gene into a plant may create an allergic reaction in susceptible people.

• _{e.g. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into}

soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions

• _{Unknown effects on human health}_{There is a growing}

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3. Ethical Reasons

• _{Some religious groups believe we should not be able}

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Transgenic Organisms

• _{A transgenic organism is one which has a new gene}

inserted in it from another species

• _{E.g. pigs which have been given the human insulin}

gene

• _{Sheep that produce milk with proteins to treat cystic}

fibrosis

• _{Pigs used to grow human organs. These can be used}

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Transgenic pig hearts

• _{Better tissue match}

• _{Less likelihood of rejection from patient} • _{Fewer donors needed}

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Advantages of using transgenic

hearts

• _{They can be used for transplant which means we}

don’t need to have so many donors.

• _{Hearts made by transgenic pigs can be made to be}

the correct tissue type (blood type) so the organ is less likely to be rejected

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Disadvantages of transgenic pigs

• _{Several religious groups would be against the use of}

pigs