Reproductive Technology Key Terms In vitro fertilization Cloning

Reproductive Technology

Key Terms � In vitro fertilization � Cloning (genes, cells or organisms) � Recombinant DNA � Therapeutic cloning � Reproductive cloning � Stem cell � Transgenic � embryo

Introduction � Scientific research has greatly increased our understanding of reproduction at all levels � We now have the ability not only to reproduce, but to control the process of reproduction in many ways

Human Reproductive Technology � There are many reasons why some couples are unable to conceive a child naturally. � For close to 40 years, doctors have been able to remove eggs from a woman and combine them with sperm in a laboratory � The fertilized egg then gets placed in the woman’s uterus and can grow to maturity � This process is called “in vitro fertilization” � Babies made this way are often called test tube babies

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis � When In vitro fertilization is used, parents may have the option of analyzing the DNA of the embryo to check for genetic disorders � If the embryo is problem free, it is implanted in the mother’s uterus � Do you think parents should have the option to genetically screen their unborn baby? � What do you think should happen if the embryo is not “problem free”?

Cloning � Cloning Genes ◦ Scientists can take desirable genes out of cells and move them into bacteria cells so they can reproduce quickly ◦ This allows a huge number of the gene to be made � Cloning Organisms ◦ Genetic copies of animals can be made by taking the nucleus out of the cell of an adult and then placing it an egg cell that has had it’s own nucleus removed

Gene Cloning Process

Cloning an Animal � Which sheep is Dolly a clone of?

Applications of Cloning � Gene cloning ◦ Giving healthy genes to people with genetic disorders (e. g. growth hormone genes to dwarfs) ◦ Using cloned genes to make enzymes that can be useful (e. g. enzymes to break down oil when it spills into oceans) ◦ Using cloned genes to insert into plants and increase their production Any problems with this? � Reproductive cloning ◦ Create animals with human parts to harvest (e. g. blood or organs) ◦ Create animals that can grow bigger or stronger for use or consumption by humans Is this okay?

Stem Cells � Cells that are cloned initially become stem cells (cells that have not become specialized) � Some stem cells can turn into many different types of cells and have the potential to fix a large number of ailments including heart disease and spinal cord damage

Transgenic Organisms � When DNA is taken from two different sources and combined together it is called Recombinant DNA � Scientists can create recombinant DNA by taking the DNA of a plant and inserting the gene of another organism into it � Agricultural researchers have been able to make plants that are more resistant to insects and can produce more, larger fruit more quickly