Part+4_Mariah+Pierce

=Part 4 Practical Application of DNA Technology=

Describe It:

A RFLP is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that is present in a restriction enzyme fragment and makes the fragment site unrecognizable by the restriction enzyme. A RFLP may be coding or noncoding DNA. The RFLPs are pretty much markers that are inherited with the closely layed gene.

Analyze It:

Components of RFLPs would be, first, the SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) that change the lengths of restriction fragments. Another component would be Southern Blotting; the process used to detect RFLPs.

Apply It:

RFLPs can be used for very specific tasks; tasks such as diagnosing genetic disorders. For example, alleles for Huntington's disease and many other genetic disorders were first identified by RFLPs.

Synthesize it:

This process reminds me of farming. Because of the fact that we use a specific known factors (in this case the SNP) to identify certain diseases, the RFLP process reminds me of farming or plant growing. If one were to inspect their wheat field, which would be the strand of DNA, for example, and he sees on the leaves that there are holes, which would be the RFLPs, in them, this will tell him that grasshoppers (genetic disorders) have been there.

Argue:

I feel that RFLPs are very helpful because they can help to identify certain genetic disorders.

Gene Therapy
Describe it:

To describe gene therapy, it would be best to go over the process. First, Bone marrow cells are extracted from the patient with the genetic disorder. Second, a cloned gene of viral RNA, which is the normal version of the allele, is inserted into a retrovirus capsid. Next, the retrovirus is allowed to infect the bone marrow cells that were extracted from teh patient. Then, the viral DNA containing the normal allele inserts itself into the chromosome. Finally, the newly treated cells are inserted into the patient in hopes they will begin to successfully reproduce.

Analyze It:

Gene therapy is the introduction of genes into an afflicted individual for theraputic purposes. This process has many components that contribute to its success. The main components are, RNA containing normal allele for the genetic disorder of the patient, a retrovirus capsid, and bone marrow cells from the patient. These all are main components of gene therapy.

Apply It:

There are many positive sides to gene therapy. For example it may cure a patient of a type of sever combined immuno defficiency (SCID) that is caused by genetic defects.

Synthesize it:

This process reminds me of bone marrow transplants.

Argue:

Although gene therapy is very helpful there are some ethical and technical questions. For example, a main technical question is how can the activity of the transferred gene be controlled so that cells make appropriate amounts of the gene product at the right time and in the right place? A main ethical question is whether or not gene therapy would eventually lead to eugenics, a deliberate effort to control the genetic makeup of human populations? I feel that there are limits to how much we can interfere with life; controling genetic makeup is too far. As long as we use our procedures for helpful purposes that do not cross ethical lines, I believe these procedures are fantastic!

Transgenic Animals (Genetically modified Organisms-GMOs)
Describe It:

A transgenic animal is one that multiple species genomes. This means, that scientists are able to insert a gene from one organism into the genome of another organism, often different species.

Analyze it:

Main components of genetically modified animals are the cloned desired gene from an organism, the eggs from a female of the recipient species, a surrogate mother, and a third "parent." It may help to incorporate each of these into the process. First. the eggs from a female are extracted and fertilized in-vitro. The fertilized cells are then injected with the cloned desired genes from a specific organism. The engineered embryos are then inserted into a surrogate mother. The result, a transgenic animal with genes from a third "parent."

Apply It;

Transgenic animals have been very helpful in science; they have been used to make much needed human proteins.

Synthesize it:

This process reminds me of the pigs expressing a jellyfish gene. (p. 331 of AP Bio text)

Argue It:

GMOs can be both a positive thing and negative. Again there is the point where one draws the the line. What is the limil on reasons or species to genetically modify? Obviously, GMOs can be helpful, but there may be a point when different species shouldnt be croseed.

Transgenic Plants (Genetically Modified organisms)
Describe it:

Transgenic plants are the same as animals, but they are more efficient as far as supply. For example, in Korea, 3,000 acres of rice harboring genes for milk protiens were planted.

Analyze It: The main component for transgenic plants it the natural plant and the transgene to be inserted.

Apply it:

Transgenic plants are used in rehydration formulas that may be used to treat infant diarrhea.

Synthesize It:

This process reminds me of the genetically modified tobacco plant expressing a firefly gene on page 331 of the Campbell Ap Bio text.

Genetic Profiles (DNA forensic testing)
Describe It:

Genetic profiles are made up of genetic markers and can be described as the "DNA fingerprint."

Analyze It:

Genetic profiling is made possible by RFLP analysis. It also uses short tendem repeats (STRs) to identify spqcific base sequences of an induvidual. Of course, DNA id a main component for the process of genetic profiling, but in this process, DNA may minute or even in poor conditions and still be able to confidently identify a suspect in forensics. Apply It:

Genetic profiling can be used in murder cases, for example, it can compare DNA samples from the suspect, the victim, and the unknown DNA sample from teh crime scene and may identify where the unknown DNA came from. Genetic profiling can also be used to settle questions of paternity. This process can also identify victims of mass casualties.

Synthesize It:

This reminds me of a scenario of which, one is given two types of animals, say a dog and a bunny; that person is then blindfolded and told to examen each, knowing what they are as he or she examens them. They are then given an unknown animal, we will say a bunny, and based on the information given from the two known animals the blindfolded individual is able to identify the unknown animal, the bunny. In this case the features of the bunny would be the STRs, the known bunny would be one known sample of DNA (victim) and the dog would be the other (suspect). The person examining and identifying would be the process of genetic profiling. Hope this helps! :)

Argue it:

I believe genetic profiling is a very positive thing due to its extreme accuracy. It has helped many around the world with forensics and genetic identification.