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1
Blueprint of Life
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Genetic Engineering

• Uses include
• Creating transgenic species
• Plant and animal cloning
• Genetically modified crops
• Production of proteins
• eg. insulin
• Gene therapy

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The Germline

• Starts as fertilised egg, or zygote
• Cell divides into cluster of identical
  blastomeres
• Form hollow ball called blastocyst
• Dividing cells differentiate to form particular
  parts of embryo
• Specific group separate from embryonic sac to
  continue germline in gonads

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Gene therapy

• Using vectors such as retroviruses and adeno
  associated virus
• Manipulate virus genome to remove disease causing
  genes and inserting therapeutic gene
• Introduction of plasmid into bacterial cell
• Target cells infected and genetic material
  unloaded to restore target cell to normal function

cut with restriction enzyme
sticky ends match up-annealing
DNA ligases added to help seal
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Germline gene therapy

• Aims at correcting defective genes responsible
  for certain diseases at the pre foetal and foetal
  stages of development.
• Takes place in either gametes or fertilized
  embryo
• Involves complete removal of any abnormal genes
  and replacement with fully functional ones
• Permanent hereditary consequences

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Germline techniques

• Embryonic
• Removal of embryo during blastocyst stage
• Microinjection with transgenic cells
• reimplantation
• As embryo develops injected cells integrate into
  cells of organism including the germline

• Before fertilisation
• Removal of defective gene and microinjection of
  functioning gene into gamete (egg cell)
• Often DNA will integrate into one chromosome
• Incorporated into every cell of body as
  fertilised embryo divides

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Germline gene therapy as a reproductive
technology

• Arguments for
• Ability to conceive children without risk of
  recessive genetic disorders afflicted or carried
  on
• Alternative to selective abortion and sperm and
  egg donation
• Speed up course of evolution which naturally
  eliminates weaker traits that hinder survival
• Avoids enormous loss of life and time associated
  with the evolutionary process

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Germline gene therapy as a reproductive technology

• Arguments against
• Could aid the development of new viruses
• Unknown consequences in later life
• Introduced DNA not integrated properly into a
  chromosome resulting in organism consisting of a
  mosaic of modified and unmodified cells

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Moral values surrounding germ line gene therapy

• Arguments for
• Mimics natural selection process as humans select
  mates with offspring in mind-health, appearance,
  intelligence
• Treating/enhancing one individual would eradicate
  disease or defective genes in subsequent
  generations
• Increased average lifespan
• Increased quality of life for both parents and
  offspring at risk from genetic disorders

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Moral values surrounding germ line gene therapy

• What is normal, and what is a disability, who
  decides?
• Does searching for a cure demean the lives of
  individuals currently affected by a disability?
• Abuse of technology to produce strongest
  athletes, most beautiful models, smartest people

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• Beauty is a universal part of human experience,
  in that it provokes pleasure, rivets attention,
  and impels actions that help to ensure survival
  of our genes
• (Nancy Etcoff)

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Where will it end?
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Thank You!