Genetic Engineering: Redesigning Life 8.3. Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering:Redesigning Life

8.3

Genetic Engineering

Heirloom Varieties

Biopharming

Biopharming

• genetically engineered host organisms are used to make pharmaceuticals or other medically-important proteins

• proteins can be isolated from milk (e.g., cows, goats) or seeds (e.g., safflowers) and used

Transgenic Organisms

Why transgenic (GM) animals and plants?

• usually cheaper to maintain than transgenic bacteria

• have the ability to produce larger more complex proteins

Transgenic Plants

• GM canola and other field crops are usually engineered to resist herbicides, reducing the farmer’s costs

• great potential to provide food in developing countries, but cost of seeds can be prohibitive

Knockout Mice

• engineered to have at least one gene turned off

• useful for studying effects of specific genes on human health

Societal Concerns?

• interbreeding and/or competition with native plants or animals

• may contain toxins that harm consumers (e.g., GM safflower)

• regulation? patents?

Biotechnology & Health

8.4

Genetic Screening

Ontario Newborn Screening

• metabolic disorders

• endocrine disorders

• blood disorders

• cystic fibrosis

Hereditary Disorders

• early identification of some hereditary disorders can help to allow for treatment to minimize symptoms through:

• controlled diet

• providing missing proteins

• surgery

Gene Therapy

• offers the possibility of correcting the genetic defect

• germ-line gene therapy

• somatic gene therapy