8.4.5
Using Recombinant DNA
Uses
Uses
Recombinant DNA has a variety of applications. These applications can be hugely beneficial in combating a number of humanitarian issues. These include:
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Genetically modified crops
Genetically modified crops
- Recombinant DNA can be used to genetically modify crops to improve their yield.
- Traits that can be improved include -
- Resistance to disease.
- Tolerance to the application of herbicides and pesticides.
- Tolerance of adverse environmental conditions (e.g. drought).
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Genetically modified livestock
Genetically modified livestock
- Recombinant DNA can be used by farmers to make the production of meat more economically viable.
- Traits that can be improved include -
- Grow faster and larger.
- Resistance to disease.
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Increased nutritional value
Increased nutritional value
- Recombinant DNA can be used to increase the nutritional value of food.
- E.g. Rice has been genetically modified to contain Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a common deficiency in Asian countries where rice is widely consumed.
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Treating diseases
Treating diseases
- Recombinant DNA can be used to produce medicine and hormones to treat diseases.
- E.g. Individuals with type I diabetes used to be given pig insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Now human insulin is created using genetically modified bacteria.
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Industry
Industry
- Recombinant DNA can be used to manufacture enzymes.
- These enzymes can be used in industry.
- E.g. Rennet is an enzyme traditionally taken from the stomach of young mammals like calves to produce cheese. It is now possible to make rennet using genetically engineered bacteria.
Ethical Concerns
Ethical Concerns
Although recombinant DNA technology can be hugely beneficial, there are concerns raised by environmentalists and anti-globalisation activists in opposition to the use of recombinant DNA technology.
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Spread of genes
Spread of genes
- Genetically modified (GM) crops and livestock are produced when a beneficial gene is inserted into their genome to improve a certain trait.
- The genes could be transferred into other organisms where it is harmful.
- E.g. A gene for herbicide resistance could be passed on to a weed, or a gene for antibiotic resistance to pathogenic bacteria.
- Genes from genetically engineered (transgenic) crops could also spread to organic crops.
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Unforeseen impacts
Unforeseen impacts
- Genetic modifications to an organism could have unforeseen effects and disrupt normal gene function.
- The use of genetically engineered organisms could lead to a reduction in the variety in populations.
- If variety in a population decreases, biodiversity also decreases.
- Low biodiversity can have negative impacts (e.g. extinction is more likely).
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Economic consequences
Economic consequences
- There could be economic consequences for some countries if genetically engineered crops can be grown in different countries where previously it was not possible.
- Companies who are able to invest more money in recombinant DNA technology may out-compete others.
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Medical uses
Medical uses
- Some activists are concerned that using recombinant DNA in medicine could lead to unethical uses of genetic engineering.
- E.g. Selecting specific traits in offspring (designer babies).
Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a genetic engineering technique used to cure disease.
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Procedure
Procedure
- Gene therapy involves the introduction of a target gene (the gene that confers a beneficial trait) into the genome.
- The genome has been transformed.
- The target gene is then transcribed and translated to produce the desired protein.
- The protein counteracts the effect of a disease that is caused by a mutation.
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Allele interactions
Allele interactions
- Gene therapy is used to treat diseases that are caused by a mutation in a gene.
- The way that gene therapy is used depends on the allele interactions of the gene that causes the disease.
- If the mutation is in the recessive allele, a wild-type (typical of the species) dominant allele is inserted into the genome. The dominant allele counteracts the mutant alleles.
- If the mutation is in the dominant allele, an allele that 'silences' the mutant allele is inserted in the genome.
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Vectors
Vectors
- Gene therapy uses vectors to insert the target gene into the genome.
- Vectors transport allow the gene to be taken up by the cells of the host. The genome is then transformed.
- Types of vector include plasmids and bacteriophages.
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Types of gene therapy
Types of gene therapy
- There are two types of gene therapy -
- Somatic therapy - altering of alleles in adult body cells.
- Germline therapy - altering of alleles in sex cells. This is illegal in humans.
1Biological Molecules
1.1Monomers & Polymers
1.2Carbohydrates
1.3Lipids
1.4Proteins
1.4.1The Peptide Chain
1.4.2Investigating Proteins
1.4.3Primary & Secondary Protein Structure
1.4.4Tertiary & Quaternary Protein Structure
1.4.5Enzymes
1.4.6Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity
1.4.7Enzyme-Controlled Reactions
1.4.8End of Topic Test - Lipids & Proteins
1.4.9A-A* (AO3/4) - Enzymes
1.4.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Proteins
1.5Nucleic Acids
1.6ATP
1.7Water
1.8Inorganic Ions
2Cells
2.1Cell Structure
2.2Mitosis & Cancer
2.3Transport Across Cell Membrane
2.4Cell Recognition & the Immune System
3Substance Exchange
3.1Surface Area to Volume Ratio
3.2Gas Exchange
3.3Digestion & Absorption
4Genetic Information & Variation
4.1DNA, Genes & Chromosomes
4.2DNA & Protein Synthesis
4.3Mutations & Meiosis
4.4Genetic Diversity & Adaptation
4.5Species & Taxonomy
4.6Biodiversity Within a Community
4.7Investigating Diversity
5Energy Transfers (A2 only)
5.1Photosynthesis
5.1.1Overview of Photosynthesis
5.1.2Photoionisation of Chlorophyll
5.1.3Production of ATP & Reduced NADP
5.1.4Cyclic Photophosphorylation
5.1.5Light-Independent Reaction
5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Photosynthesis Reactions
5.1.7Limiting Factors
5.1.8Photosynthesis Experiments
5.1.9End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis
5.1.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Photosynthesis
5.2Respiration
5.3Energy & Ecosystems
6Responding to Change (A2 only)
6.1Nervous Communication
6.2Nervous Coordination
6.3Muscle Contraction
6.4Homeostasis
6.4.1Overview of Homeostasis
6.4.2Blood Glucose Concentration
6.4.3Controlling Blood Glucose Concentration
6.4.4End of Topic Test - Blood Glucose
6.4.5Primary & Secondary Messengers
6.4.6Diabetes Mellitus
6.4.7Measuring Glucose Concentration
6.4.8Osmoregulation
6.4.9Controlling Blood Water Potential
6.4.10ADH
6.4.11End of Topic Test - Diabetes & Osmoregulation
6.4.12A-A* (AO3/4) - Homeostasis
7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)
7.1Genetics
7.2Populations
7.3Evolution
7.3.1Variation
7.3.2Natural Selection & Evolution
7.3.3End of Topic Test - Populations & Evolution
7.3.4Types of Selection
7.3.5Types of Selection Summary
7.3.6Overview of Speciation
7.3.7Causes of Speciation
7.3.8Diversity
7.3.9End of Topic Test - Selection & Speciation
7.3.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Populations & Evolution
8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)
8.2Gene Expression
8.2.1Stem Cells
8.2.2Stem Cells in Disease
8.2.3End of Topic Test - Mutation & Gene Epression
8.2.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Mutation & Stem Cells
8.2.5Regulating Transcription
8.2.6Epigenetics
8.2.7Epigenetics & Disease
8.2.8Regulating Translation
8.2.9Experimental Data
8.2.10End of Topic Test - Transcription & Translation
8.2.11Tumours
8.2.12Correlations & Causes
8.2.13Prevention & Treatment
8.2.14End of Topic Test - Cancer
8.2.15A-A* (AO3/4) - Gene Expression & Cancer
8.3Genome Projects
Jump to other topics
1Biological Molecules
1.1Monomers & Polymers
1.2Carbohydrates
1.3Lipids
1.4Proteins
1.4.1The Peptide Chain
1.4.2Investigating Proteins
1.4.3Primary & Secondary Protein Structure
1.4.4Tertiary & Quaternary Protein Structure
1.4.5Enzymes
1.4.6Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity
1.4.7Enzyme-Controlled Reactions
1.4.8End of Topic Test - Lipids & Proteins
1.4.9A-A* (AO3/4) - Enzymes
1.4.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Proteins
1.5Nucleic Acids
1.6ATP
1.7Water
1.8Inorganic Ions
2Cells
2.1Cell Structure
2.2Mitosis & Cancer
2.3Transport Across Cell Membrane
2.4Cell Recognition & the Immune System
3Substance Exchange
3.1Surface Area to Volume Ratio
3.2Gas Exchange
3.3Digestion & Absorption
4Genetic Information & Variation
4.1DNA, Genes & Chromosomes
4.2DNA & Protein Synthesis
4.3Mutations & Meiosis
4.4Genetic Diversity & Adaptation
4.5Species & Taxonomy
4.6Biodiversity Within a Community
4.7Investigating Diversity
5Energy Transfers (A2 only)
5.1Photosynthesis
5.1.1Overview of Photosynthesis
5.1.2Photoionisation of Chlorophyll
5.1.3Production of ATP & Reduced NADP
5.1.4Cyclic Photophosphorylation
5.1.5Light-Independent Reaction
5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Photosynthesis Reactions
5.1.7Limiting Factors
5.1.8Photosynthesis Experiments
5.1.9End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis
5.1.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Photosynthesis
5.2Respiration
5.3Energy & Ecosystems
6Responding to Change (A2 only)
6.1Nervous Communication
6.2Nervous Coordination
6.3Muscle Contraction
6.4Homeostasis
6.4.1Overview of Homeostasis
6.4.2Blood Glucose Concentration
6.4.3Controlling Blood Glucose Concentration
6.4.4End of Topic Test - Blood Glucose
6.4.5Primary & Secondary Messengers
6.4.6Diabetes Mellitus
6.4.7Measuring Glucose Concentration
6.4.8Osmoregulation
6.4.9Controlling Blood Water Potential
6.4.10ADH
6.4.11End of Topic Test - Diabetes & Osmoregulation
6.4.12A-A* (AO3/4) - Homeostasis
7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)
7.1Genetics
7.2Populations
7.3Evolution
7.3.1Variation
7.3.2Natural Selection & Evolution
7.3.3End of Topic Test - Populations & Evolution
7.3.4Types of Selection
7.3.5Types of Selection Summary
7.3.6Overview of Speciation
7.3.7Causes of Speciation
7.3.8Diversity
7.3.9End of Topic Test - Selection & Speciation
7.3.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Populations & Evolution
8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)
8.2Gene Expression
8.2.1Stem Cells
8.2.2Stem Cells in Disease
8.2.3End of Topic Test - Mutation & Gene Epression
8.2.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Mutation & Stem Cells
8.2.5Regulating Transcription
8.2.6Epigenetics
8.2.7Epigenetics & Disease
8.2.8Regulating Translation
8.2.9Experimental Data
8.2.10End of Topic Test - Transcription & Translation
8.2.11Tumours
8.2.12Correlations & Causes
8.2.13Prevention & Treatment
8.2.14End of Topic Test - Cancer
8.2.15A-A* (AO3/4) - Gene Expression & Cancer
8.3Genome Projects
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