DNA technology Gene cloning Gene therapy Biopharmaceuticals Forensics

DNA technology • • Gene cloning Gene therapy Biopharmaceuticals Forensics – DNA fingerprinting, PCR • Genomics – Human Genome Project • Frankenfoods – Genetically modified crops

Recombinant DNA & Plasmids Combining genes from different sources and/or species • Circular DNA from bacteria = plasmids • Target DNA recombined in plasmid • Bacteria rapidly reproduces many clones

How is this possible? • Enzymes – Used to “cut and paste” – Restriction enzymes • Cuts DNA into fragments – remember DNA lab – DNA ligase • Pastes fragments from one source into another

Biopharmaceuticals • Use recombinant cells to mass produce proteins – Bacteria – Yeast – Mammalian

• Insulin – Hormone required to properly process sugars and fats – Treat diabetes – Now easily produced by bacteria • Growth hormone deficiency – Faulty pituitary and regulation – Had to rely on cadaver source – Now easily produced by bacteria

Not always used for good. . . • High doses of HGH can cause permanent side effects – As adults normal growth has stopped so excessive GH can thicken bones and enlarge organs

Forensics • DNA profiling or DNA fingerprinting • Requires only small samples (saliva, blood, semen, etc. ) left at a crime scene • Probability up to 1 in a billion • e. g. O. J. Trial, CSI, Law & Order…

PCR • Polymerase chain reaction – Used to amplify or make many DNA copies of a small sample

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) • Use of recombinant plasmids in agriculture – plants with genetically desirable traits • herbicide or pesticide resistant corn & soybean – Decreases chemical insecticide use – Increases production • “Golden rice” with betacarotene – Required to make vitamin A, which in deficiency causes blindness

Other benefits of GMOs • Disease resistance – There are many viruses, fungi, bacteria that cause plant diseases – “Super-shrimp” • Cold tolerance – Antifreeze gene from cold water fish introduced to tobacco and potato plants • Drought tolerance & Salinity tolerance – As populations expand, potential to grow crops in otherwise inhospitable environments

Where in the world?

Downsides? ? ? • Introduce allergens? • Pass trans-genes to wild populations? – Pollinator transfer • R&D is costly – Patents to insure profits • Patent infringements • Lawsuits • potential for capitalism to overshadow humanitarian efforts