4.4+Genetic+engineering+and+biotechnology

4 Genetics - 4.1 Chromosomes, genes, alleles and mutations - 4.2 Meiosis - 4.3 Theoretical genetics - 4.4 Genetic engineering and biotechnology - Genetics Labs

4.4 Genetic engineering and biotechnology
read and discuss this article from the BBC
 * Starter**

What is GM food and who has eaten GM food? Discuss. Follow this link and you might find yourself surprised.

What is the Human Genome Project? Was it worthwhile? media type="custom" key="23840246"


 * Assessment statements** (IBO notes added to some point to clearly indicate what needs to be understood and what does not)
 * 4.4.1 || Outline the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to copy and amplify minute quantities of DNA. ||
 * 4.4.2 || State that, in gel electrophoresis, fragments of DNA move in an electric field and are separated according to their size. ||
 * 4.4.3 || State that gel electrophoresis of DNA is used in DNA profiling. ||
 * 4.4.4 || Describe the application of DNA profiling to determine paternity and also in forensic investigations. ||
 * 4.4.5 || Analyse DNA profiles to draw conclusions about paternity or forensic investigations. ||
 * 4.4.6 || Outline three outcomes of the sequencing of the complete human genome. ||
 * 4.4.7 || State that, when genes are transferred between species, the amino acid sequence of polypeptides translated from them is unchanged because the genetic code is universal. ||
 * 4.4.8 || Outline a basic technique used for gene transfer involving plasmids, a host cell (bacterium, yeast or other cell), restriction enzymes (endonucleases) and DNA ligase. ||
 * 4.4.9 || State two examples of the current uses of genetically modified crops or animals. Examples include salt tolerance in tomato plants, synthesis of beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) in rice, herbicide resistance in crop plants and factor IX (human blood clotting) in sheep milk. ||
 * 4.4.10 || Discuss the potential benefits and possible harmful effects of one example of genetic modification. ||
 * 4.4.11 || Define clone. ||
 * 4.4.12 || Outline a technique for cloning using differentiated animal cells. ||
 * 4.4.13 || Discuss the ethical issues of therapeutic cloning in humans. Therapeutic cloning is the creation of an embryo to supply embryonic stem cells for medical use. ||

An alternative set of notes from [|i-Biology] can be found here for SL media type="custom" key="23840248"
 * Workbooks and Worksheets **

Steven Taylor ([|i-Biology]) has a great presentation to view and take notes from before starting your notebook media type="custom" key="23840252"
 * Presentations and tutorials **

[|PCR] and Electrophoresis are key genetic engineering techniques. You need to be able to outline each process. Virtual labs are a good place to begin your understanding. These articles from Nature and Schoolworkhelper explain the uses and process of PCR in more detail. The graphic below shows the steps in the PCR process remember that the cycles would be repeated multiple times to create multiple copies of the desired sequence. ( source: St. Rosemary Educational Institution. "PCR: Uses, Steps, Purpose." @http://schoolworkhelper.net/. St. Rosemary Educational Institution, Last Update: 2013. Web. Retrieved on: Saturday 16th February 2013. @http://schoolworkhelper.net/pcr-uses-steps-purpose/)

[|Paternity testing] and how it works is often misunderstood. This animation from Sunamas of the process makes it much clearer.

[|Click and Clone] from Learn.Genetics is a simple fun interactive simulation to help understanding the somatic cell nuclear transfer method of cloning. Also from Learn.Genetics [|What is cloning?] gives you definitions and notes to back up the simulation.

This [|animation from Sunamas] brings together the concept of stem cells and their use in cloning and how this is useful directly for therapy and in the production of drug cures/treatments for genetic diseases. A second animation shows how cloning and stem cells could be used to [|treat type I diabetes].

How does DNA fingerprinting work? Watch Paul Andersen on Bozeman Science to find out media type="custom" key="23840254"

Use [|click4biology] to review and complete your notes

[|Brazil tests GM mosquitoes to fight Dengue : Nature News & Comment] [|China approves first gene therapy: Nature Biotechnology] [|Europe nears first approval for gene therapy treatment: Nature news] [|Gene therapy for Parkinson's passes the ultimate test: New Scientist] This interactive animation from Scientific American shows how genetic engineering can be used to shed light on the biology long extinct Mammoths media type="custom" key="23840336"
 * Biotechnology in Use**

__Peer teaching__ Given the number of different techniques covered in this sub-topic it is an ideal candidate for students to research parts of the topic and communicate their findings to others. A good split is:
 * Activity suggestions**
 * DNA Profiling 4.4.1 - 4.4.5
 * The Human Genome Project 4.4.6 (this is a smaller project for an individual or smaller group)
 * Transgenics and Genetic Modification 4.4.7 - 4.4.10
 * Cloning 4.4.11 - 4.4.13

Teaching and communication guidelines:
 * Content needs to clearly relate to the assessment statements
 * Examples are useful and helpful
 * Extensions to the statements can provide updates to a constantly changing and evolving knowledge base, they can also give a context, **but** it should be highlighted that they are extensions to and not required knowledge
 * A medium for communication (movie, poster etc.) has to be agreed by the class

__Extension: debate the ethics of DNA fingerprinting/profiling__ There are a number of different ethical issues surrounding uses of and research into biotechnology including DNA fingerprinting. Resources and activities for class and prep are given below.

These resources originally produced by [|Nuffield Council on Bioethics] can be used to inform and debate the use of DNA identification: > media type="custom" key="23840366"
 * DNA and fingerprint fact file
 * [|The forensic use of bioinformation law summary]
 * [|Summary of rights and freedoms]
 * [|Summary of European Court Judgment]
 * [|DNA database case studies]

__Debate the "ethical issues of therapeutic cloning in humans." (4.4.13)__ Students should be divided into two teams (it is often good to find out what their bias is first and have them argue the opposite). Each team needs to: > - what an embryo is > - where the embryos are sourced > - what alternatives to embryos could be used > - what special interest groups have a stake > - what issues provoke the interest of these groups and the general public
 * Start by stating what they understand by the term therapeutic cloning
 * Concisely present their case (whilst the other side take notes)
 * Each case should, where appropriate, refer to:
 * After each side has presented it's case students take turns to offer rebuttals and alternatives to the oppositions points
 * In summary: students should develop a set of notes reflecting what they have learnt before and during the debate

Can genome information stay private when in fact the genome is in fact data to construct an individual? Privacy protections: The genome hacker shows that individuals can be identified by data published on their genome and raises interesting ethical questions.
 * Interesting Extras**