Genetic Technologies

Explanation

The transfer of genes is possible and easy due to
the fact that most life forms share the same language
of heredity or 'DNA code'.

The technology is called Recombinant DNA Technology

Genetic modification technology
allows genes to be transferred for
acquiring specific traits using laboratory
techniques

Technologies used

Gene gun

Shooting microscopic pellets of gold/tungsten
that are coated in the DNA being transferred
through a particle gun. The specialized bullet
becomes coated with the pellets once fired,
allowing for the pellets to enter the cell at high
speed. Then, cells are grown on a dish if successful.

Insertion through vectors

Agrobacterium tumefaciens's tumour production region
causes unctrollable tumour growth when inserted into a plant.

Positives

Allows our crops to not be
as vulnerable to insects

Allows herbicides to be more
effective on our crops

Benefits the environment
due to decreased use of pesticides.

Negatives

Seen as unethical within society as it is unnatural and still
being explored/researched.

Possible threat to the environment since GMO's are not natural, therefor they clash with the idea of natural growth within the environment

Explanation

A global research effort to identify the 30,000 genes in human DNA.

Used to determine the 3 billion different nitrogenous bases

Technologies used

Use a computer that shows the human DNA sequence as a series of coloured bands and each colour represents a base.

Negatives

May decrease human diversity

Could allow weapons to be created that target the population's demographic

Positives

Help with the prevention and identification of diseases

Allow us to modify medicine and make it more effective

Helps with overall understanding of the 'blueprint for a human being'

Assisted with the field of forensics, as it easier to positively
identify someone from extremely small pieces of biological substances

Explanation

DNA identification is a method used to identify a person.

There are 3 types of testing; parental, forensic and genetic. All of these look for similarities in the genetic markers between 2 samples

Technologies used

Short tandem repeats

regions of non-coding DNA that have
repeats of the same nucleotide sequence

Process includes collecting the sample of DNA
(blood tests, mouth swabs, body tissue, semen),
then extracting the DNA from the nucleus of the cell,
copying the DNA, determining the size of the DNA and
finally seeing if the sample matches with another sample

Finger printing

Often used in criminal cases

Positives

Helps identify biological relations

Identifies suspects or victims in criminal situations

Can test for birth defects or genetic conditions

Find out information on someone's ancestors

Extremely small amounts of DNA can still be extremely useful

Negatives

Seen as unethical as some authorities keep DNA when it is not needed (there is a lot of suspicion around this)

If samples are not stored fast and properly, bacteria can attack the cells that contain DNA

Explanation

Technology involves introducing genetic material into a person's cells to help fight or prevent diseases they may face

Vectors are used to deliver a gene to a cell, and
vectors are commonly viruses. Although, these viruses are changed to be safe for humans (there is still some risk)

Technologies used

Somatic gene therapy

ex vivo

Cells are changed outside of the body and
transplanted back in

in vivo

The gene is transferred to cells inside
the host's body

Is safer approach because it affects only the targeted cells in the patient, and is not passed on to future generations

Germ-line gene therapy

The result of this is permanent changes that are passed down to further generations

Positives

Treats diseases for humans and animals

Successful germ line therapy leads to the possibility of eliminating select diseases from a certain family of people

Negatives

Some viral vectors could infect a broader
range of cells than intended

Could lead to cancer since there is a
possibility of disrupting gene regulation

Seen as unethical by many people as it is 'playing God'