7. GENE: (in informal use) a unit of heredity that
is transferred from a parent to offspring and is
held to determine some characteristic of the
offspring "proteins coded directly by genes“
(in technical use) a distinct sequence of
nucleotides forming part of a chromosome,
the order of which determines the order of
monomers in a polypeptide or nucleic acid
molecule which a cell (or virus) may
synthesize.
***UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTY***
8. GENETIC ENGINEERING – is
the use of special
biochemical techniques to
identify, study, or modify
genes.
- Also known as recombinant
DNA technology, means
altering the genes in a living
organism to produce a
Genetically Modified
Organism (GMO) with a new
genotype.
9. NOTE: Some techniques of genetic
engineering involve combining DNA from
the genes of different organisms.
RECOMBINANT DNA – DNA with
components from different organisms.
10. With recombinant DNA technology, scientists
can take genes from one organism and transfer
those genes into the cells of another organism.
*** EXAMPLES ***
Genetic engineers, transferred specific human
genes into bacteria to produce proteins useful
to humans like insulin and human growth
hormone.
Genetic engineers sometimes transfer genes
into yeast (fungus). Researchers used yeast
cells to produce the first genetically
engineered vaccine for humans, a vaccine for
hepatitis B.
11. HOW CAN A GENE BE
TRANSFERRED FROM
ONE ORGANISM TO
ANOTHER?
12. To transfer DNA into a cell, scientists use
a special carrier called a vector.
VECTOR – in genetic engineering, a vector
is a carrier of genetic material.
NOTE: Bacteria contain vectors called
plasmids.
PLASMIDS – small circular pieces of DNA
within bacteria.
- They are useful vectors because they can
move DNA into cells.
17. APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURE
Improving the quantity and quality of food
is an important goal of genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering has been applied in
many ways in agriculture.
For example, genetic engineers have
produced several types of new bacteria
that help increase crop production.
18. APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURE
1. Disease-resistant and
insect-resistant crops
2. Hardier fruit
3. 70-75% of food in
supermarket is
genetically modified.
19. APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRY
Genetic engineers are studying many different
kinds of modified organisms. Hoping that these
modified organisms will do specific jobs in the
community and in industry.
For example, scientists in several laboratories are
working on improved bacteria that can help
process sewage.
Some bacteria may eventually be engineered to
change cellulose, the carbohydrate in plant cell
walls, into fuel oil.
Other genetically altered bacteria may be
engineered to help clean up oil spills or toxic waste
dumps.
20. APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
The area in which genetic engineering has probably
affected people’s lives the most is medicine.
One of the first medical products to be produced by
genetic engineering was human insulin, a hormone that
regulates the metabolism of sugar in the body.
Scientist use bacteria and other type of cells to clone and
study defective human genes.
Genetic engineering gives researchers a new tool to treat
some human disorders, many of which have long been
untreatable or incurable.
Scientists may someday be able to cure patients who have
genetic diseases.
In the future, it may even be possible to alter the gametes
of such patients who have genetic diseases.
23. In spite of the useful products through
genetic engineering, people have
wondered what would happen if a
modified bacterium were to spread
from a laboratory into the human
population.
In response to public fears and their
concerns, there are different safety
measures that scientists need to
consider:
24. 1. Scientists adhere to strict laboratory
procedures that control genetic
engineering. These procedures protect
genetic researchers from infection by a
newly engineered organism.
2. Workers are also specially trained in
techniques that prevent the bacteria from
escaping into the outside environment.
3. Another type of safety measure involves
altering microorganisms so they cannot
survive outside the laboratory.
27. The potential for modifying human genes brings
up many ethical questions, questions about the
professional conduct and the moral judgment of
genetic engineers and their administrators.
EXAMPLE: Someday it may be possible to treat or
even correct genetic defects in human genes
before the defects are passed to new offspring. At
the same time, it may be possible to alter human
genes to favor other choices. If people could
easily and precisely determine the physical or
intellectual potential and traits of their children,
would they make wise and unbiased choices?
Editor's Notes
This fruit is a cross between fragaria chiloensis (a strawberry native to Hawaii and the Pacific coasts of North and South America) and the common strawberry. Pineberries are smaller than strawberries and have a slight pineapple flavor.
The bitter rangpur is a hybrid between a Mandarin orange and lemon. Its taste is very acidic and the fruit can be used as a substitute for limes.
Hepa B is a potentially fatal viral infection of the liver.
