Recombinant Dna Technology - Overview + Debate

Front 1

What is genetic engineering?

Back 1

Using recombinant DNA technology to transform microorganisms plants and animals

• make them produce desirable proteins

Front 2

Describe how microorganisms are transformed in genetic engineering? (Describe process simply)

Back 2

Similar process to in vivo cloning.

1. The DNA fragment containing the insulin gene is isolated using restriction endonuclease enzymes

2. The DNA fragment is inserted into a plasmid vector

3. The plasmid containing the recombinant DNA is transferred into a bacterium (i.e. electroporation)

4. Transformed cells/bacteria are identified and grown

5. The protein produced from the cloned gene may be extracted from the organism and purified

Front 3

Describe how plants can be transformed in genetic engineering?

Back 3

1. Target gene is inserted into a plasmid

2. The plasmid is transferred to a bacterium

3. The bacterium is used as a vector to get the gene into the plant cells

4. If the correct promoter region has been added, the transformed cells will be able to make the desired protein

Front 4

Describe how animals can be transformed in genetic engineering?

Back 4

1. A gene that codes for a desirable protein is inserted into either:

• an early animal embryo

• the egg cells of a female

Front 5

Explain why a target gene must be inserted into either an early animal embryo or into the egg cells of a female?

Back 5

• early animal embryo - all the body cells of the resulting transformed animal will end up containing the gene

• female egg cells - when the female reproduces, all the cells of her offspring will contain the gene

Front 6

In genetic engineering of animals, scientists aim to have all the body cells of the animal containing the target gene. However it is not desirable to have the desired protein produced in all cell types in the body. Explain why it isn’t desirable? How do they avoid this?

Back 6

Not desirable:

• producing the protein in the wrong cells could damage the organism/cell

• only producing the protein in certain cells makes harvesting easier

How do they prevent this:

• Insert promoter regions that are only activated in specific cell types

Front 7

In genetic engineering of animals, scientists aim to have all the body cells of the animal containing the target gene. However it is not desirable to have the desired protein produced in all cell types in the body. Explain why it isn’t desirable? How do they avoid this?

Back 7

Not desirable:

• producing the protein in the wrong cells could damage the organism/cell

• only producing the protein in certain cells makes harvesting easier

How do they prevent this:

• Insert promoter regions that are only activated in specific cell types

Front 8

Give the benefits of recombinant DNA tech (transforming organisms)?

Back 8

• Crops transformed - give higher yields or more nutritious, meaning these plants can reduce the risk of famine or malnutrition

• Crops transformed - can be pest-resistant, Meaning need fewer pesticides, which reduces costs and any environmental problems associated with using chemicals

• Crops transformed – can be drought-resistant, meaning can survive in dry areas with little water. Grow in Africa etc.

• Transformed organisms can produce Enzymes for industrial processes, large quantities produced, reduces costs

• make some foods that used to be produced from substances from animals suitable for vegetarians (no animals harmed to extract anymore). Gene from animals can be put into microorganisms.

• Drugs and vaccines can be produced by transformed organisms, be cloning human genes (e.g. insulin gene) and inserting it into microorganisms. Instead of using animal proteins etc. (e.g. pig insulin). Meaning Quick, cheaper, large quantities of drugs produced. Making drugs more affordable and available to more people

Front 9

Give the benefits of recombinant DNA tech (transforming organisms)?

Back 9

• Crops transformed - give higher yields or more nutritious, meaning these plants can reduce the risk of famine or malnutrition

• Crops transformed - can be pest-resistant, Meaning need fewer pesticides, which reduces costs and any environmental problems associated with using chemicals

• Crops transformed – can be drought-resistant, meaning can survive in dry areas with little water. Grow in Africa etc.

• Transformed organisms can produce Enzymes for industrial processes, large quantities produced, reduces costs

• make some foods that used to be produced from substances from animals suitable for vegetarians (no animals harmed to extract anymore). Gene from animals can be put into microorganisms.

• Drugs and vaccines can be produced by transformed organisms, be cloning human genes (e.g. insulin gene) and inserting it into microorganisms. Instead of using animal proteins etc. (e.g. pig insulin). Meaning Quick, cheaper, large quantities of drugs produced. Making drugs more affordable and available to more people

• transformed crops can make vaccine that don’t need refrigeration. (Vaccines usually need refrigeration). This could make the vaccines available to more people.

Front 10

Example of a benefit of transforming organisms.

Insulin

Back 10

• used to treat type 1 diabetes

• used to come from animal pancreases (cows pigs) - not human insulin so doesn’t work quite as well, also produced in small amounts

• Human insulin gene was inserted into microorganisms which now make the insulin for diabetics

Front 11

What are the concerns about transforming organisms (recombinant DNA technology)?

Back 11

• Farmers may only plant one type of transformed crop (monoculture) which reduces biodiversity (by reducing the no. of plant species, in turn reducing the number of insect species etc. that the area can support) - damages environment

• If crops are genetically identical on farms, the whole crop could be vulnerable to the same disease - food shortages potential?

• Creation of ‘superweeds’ - resistant to herbicides. This could occur if transformed crops interbreed with wild plants.

• uncontrolled spread of recombinant DNA (if transformed crops interbreed with wild plants). Unknown consequences.

• Organic Farmers can have their crops contaminated by wind-blown seeds from nearby GM crops, meaning can’t sell their crops as organic so lose income

• Without proper labelling, it could remove people’s choice about whether to consume food makes using GM organisms

• people worry that the process used to purify proteins (from GM organisms) could lead to the introduction of toxins into the food industry

• anti-globalisation activists - a few, large biotechnology companies control the genetic engineering, as the technology improves these companies get bigger and more powerful, smaller companies can’t compete (forced out of business)

• Some companies that own genetic engineering technologies (e.g. a specific technique) may limit the use of the technologies that could be life-saving.

• People worry that the technology could be used unethically - designer babies (have chosen characteristics) (currently illegal)

Front 12

Transformed organisms = genetically engineered organisms = GM organisms

(All mean the same thing)

Back 12

-

Front 13

Example of a concern of genetic engineering

Large corporation bullying

Back 13

• A large corporation could own patents to a particular GM seed

• Charge high prices

• Can require farmers to re-purchase seeds every year

• Can sue farmers if non-GM crops are contaminated by GM crops (due to breach of patent law)