Genetic Engineering

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Genetic Engineering
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What is Genetic Engineering?

• Genetic engineering is the manipulation of an
  organisms genes to create a desired
  characteristic.
• AKA changing an organisms DNA

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What Is Genetic Engineering is Used For?

• Scientists uses genetic engineering to knock out
  certain genes from an organism in order to
  observe the effects and mutations caused by those
  genes.
• With the mapping of the human genome and the
  genomes of other important animals and plants,
  scientists have been able to manipulate the genes
  of other organisms in order to produce beneficial
  products for humans.

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Types of Genetic Engineering

• Selective Breeding Allowing only those animals
  with the desired charcteristics to reproduce the
  next generation.
• Ex. Nearly all domestic animals

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Selective Breeding
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Types of Genetic Engineering

• Hybridization

• Labradoodle

• The Crossing of dissimilar individuals to bring
  together the best of both organisms.
• Hybrids are usually hardier than either parent.

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Inbreeding

• The continued breeding of individuals with
  similar charcteristics
• 1. Breeders use this to maintain desired
  characteristics of a line of organisms.
• 2. Problems result b/c there is always a chance
  that a cross between 2 individuals will bring
  together 2 recessive alleles.
• Ex. Blindness, joint- deformities.

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Genetically Engineered Foods

• Just kidding. Farmers have been producing foods
  that have been genetically altered to be more
  nutritious, delicious, resistant to harmful
  pesticides and have the ability to repel pests.
• Harmful long term effects have yet to be seen in
  consumers.

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Creating Your Own Child

• Scientists and doctors have been able to
  genetically plan certain characteristics in
  embryos. Since the mapping of the human genome,
  finding specific genes and their qualities has
  become much simpler. Parents now have an
  opportunity to design their ideal child.

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Controversies

• Consumers of the genetically engineered foods are
  worried about the adverse effects that the foods
  might have on them. Since this is a new
  technology, there hasnt been a lot of time to
  examine the long term effects of these new foods.
• Some consider it inorganic.

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DNA Fingerprinting

• Samples of organisms DNA is exposed to
  restriction enzyme which cuts it into pieces
• DNA is run through an electrophoresis machine
  using gels
• Since DNA is cut at certain sequences, each piece
  is a different length and has a different weight
• Pieces that are heavier stay at the top of the
  gel, while lighter will run to the bottom of
  the gel

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DNA Fingerprinting

• 5. Every person is genetically different so their
  gels would appear different
• A. identical twins have identical DNA
  fingerprints
• B. people who are closely related have similar
  DNA markers

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DNA Fingerprinting Applications

• A. can be used to identify or eliminate suspects
• B. can be used to determine paternity of a child
• C. can be used to identify a deceased person