Genetic Engineering

• Give brief examples of products made using genetic engineering (D)

•Describe the process of making human insulin through genetic modification (C/B)

• Discuss the benefits, drawbacks and risks with genetically modified products (A/A*)

A quick recap!

You need a mini white board, pen and a board rubber

1. Which bases pair together?

a) C and T, A and G.b)G and T, A and Cc) C and G, A and Td)T and C, G and A

2. Proteins are made up of:

a) Long chains of amino acidsb)Long chains of chromosomesc) Groups of chromosomesd)Groups of cells

3. Each amino acid is coded for by:

a) Four base pairs.b) Three bases called a triplet.c) The entire DNAd) Two bases called a couple.

4. Each gene contains the sequence of bases for how many proteins?

a) Oneb)Twoc) Threed)Four

5. What is the genetic code?

a) The order of the chromosomes determines how proteins are made.

b) The type of gene determines what each protein does.

c) The proteins determine what the DNA structure will be.

d) The order of DNA bases which determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Genetic Modification

This involves inserting new genes into the DNA of an organism

Task;Using only the equipment provided, how could

you show how this might work?

You have 5 minutes and then I want a spokesperson to explain the model

Something to think about:

• What is genetic engineering?• Does it happen in the UK• Do we use GM products in the UK and can you

give an example?• What is the most commonly engineered type

of organism?• On balance, do you think it is a good or bad

thing?

Uses of Genetic Engineering

1. Reducing Vitamin A Deficiency• Beta-Carotene is used by our bodies to make

vit A. Vit A deficiency a big problem in parts of South Asia and Africa.

• Golden rice is a variety of GM rice. It contains 2 genes from other organisms which together enable rice to produce beta-carotene.

• So growing Golden rice in these places means fewer people suffer from vit A deficiency.

Rice can be genetically modified to make beta-carotene, a substance that is converted into vitamin A in the body.

Plants with extra vitamins

The GM rice is called ‘Golden Rice’ and is being developed to help fight vitamin A deficiency and blindness in developing countries.

The colour of the rice is an indication of how much more beta-carotene it contains.

Bacteria are often genetically engineered to produce useful chemicals because their DNA is loose in the cytoplasm, making it easy to modify. They also grow and replicate quickly.

loose strand of main DNA plasmid

– small ring of additional DNA

A new gene can be inserted into the plasmid and the bacteria then produce the protein for which the gene codes.

Changing the genetic code

Complete the gene splicing activity as a

team

Genetically-engineering bacteria

Genetic engineers remove the gene that code for human insulin from a human body cell using enzymes.

This is extracted, purified and packaged in sterile bottles for diabetics.

The bacterium then divides to make identical bacteria.

The human gene produces human insulin

They put this gene into a suitable bacterium.

Bacteria can produce human insulin for this purpose.

Bacteria can produce human insulin for this purpose.

Genetic engineers remove the gene that code for human insulin from a human body cell using enzymes.

They put this gene into a suitable bacterium.

The bacterium then divides to make identical bacteria.

The human gene produces human insulin

This is extracted, purified and packaged in sterile bottles for diabetics..

Answers

Producing insulin with bacteria

Crops can be given extra genes for new and useful characteristics. They are genetically modified (GM).

pest resistance – wont be damaged by insects or other pests

frost resistance – wont be damaged by the cold

herbicide resistance – wont get damaged by chemicals

drought resistance – dont need as much water

longer shelf life – wont go off as quickly

disease resistance – wont get as many diseases

Increasing Crop Yield

1. GM crops have had their genes modified, e.g. To make them resistant to herbicides. (chemicals used to kill weeds)

2. Fields of crops can be spray with herbicide and all the plants except the GM crops are killed. Increase yield > make more food.

Controversy...

• GM crops will affect the number of weeds and flowers and therefore wildlife. Reducing Biodiversity.

• Are GM crops safe? People are worried they may develop allergies.

• Transplanted genes may get out into the natural environment. For example the herbicide resistance gene may be picked up by weeds, creating a new ‘super weed’.

Task

• In pairs you need to either write a short speech for or against the use of genetic engineering.

• After 5 minutes you and your partner will have a face off to decide who's argument wins.

(remember to win a debate you need to back up your arguments with evidence)

Should GM crops be allowed?

Something to think about:

• What is genetic engineering?• Does it happen in the UK• Do we use GM products in the UK and can you

give an example?• What is the most commonly engineered type

of organism?• On balance, do you think it is a good or bad

thing?

Children with faulty immune systems have been cured by adding genes to their bone marrow cells. This is called gene therapy.

1. A ‘healthy’ version of the faulty gene is cut from normal DNA and copied.

2. The gene is added to a harmless virus.

3. The virus carries the gene into the patient’s cells, where the healthy gene is released.

4. The patient’s cells can then make the correct product of the gene. The patient is then cured.

What is gene therapy?