Daraga, Community College Daraga, Albay S.y.

2012-2013

Topic: Genetic Engineering a) Introduction and meaning of genetic engineering b) History of genetic engineering c) Examples of genetic engineering d) Advantages of genetic engineering e) Disadvantages of genetic engineering Discussant: Jay Laganson Judel Esplana Angelica Jane Perez Jeanylyn Melgar Jessica Furio Katheerine Pealago (III-Biological Science)

Genetic Engineering
a) Introduction and Meaning of Genetic Engineering
Definition: Genetic Engineering is also called genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of an organisms human genome using biotechnology. New DNA maybe inserted in the host genome by first isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods generate a DNA sequence , or by synthesizing the DNA, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. Genes may be removed or knock out, using a nuclease. Gene targeting is a different technique that uses homologous recombinant to change an indigenous gene, and can be used to delete a gene, remove exons, add a gene, or introduce point mutations. An organism that is generated through genetic engineering is considered to be a genetically modified organism (GMO). The first GMOs is bacteria in 1973; GM mice were generated in 1974. Insulin producing bacteria were commercialized in 1982 and genetically modified food has been sold since 1994. Genetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields including research, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, and medicine.

 Enzymes used in laundry detergent and medicine s such as insulin and human growth hormone are now manufactured in GM cells, experimental cell lines and GM animals such as mice or zebra fish are being used for research purposes, and genetically modified crops had been commercialize.

b) History of Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering as the direct manipulation of DNA by humans outside breeding and mutations has only existed since the 1970s. The term "genetic engineering" was first coined by Jack Williamson in his science fiction novel Dragon's Island, published in 1951, one year before DNA's role in heredity was confirmed by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase. 1972- Paul Berg created the first recombinant DNA molecules by combining DNA from the monkey virus SV40 with that of the lambda virus. 1973-Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen created the first transgenic organism by inserting antibiotic resistance genes into the plasmid of an E. coli bacterium. 1974-Rudolf Jaenisch created the first GM animal. 1976-Genentech, the first genetic engineering company was founded by Herbert Boyer and Robert Swanson. 1978-Genentech announced the production of genetically engineered human insulin. 1980-The U.S. Supreme Court in the Diamond v. Chakra arty case ruled that genetically altered life could be patented. 1982-The insulin produced by bacteria, branded humulin, was approved for release by the Food and Drug Administration. 1983-A biotech company, Advanced Genetic Sciences (AGS) applied for U.S. government authorization to perform field tests with the ice-minus strain of P. syringae to protect crops from frost. 1987-the ice-minus strain of P. syringae became the first genetically modified organism (GMO) to be released into the environment when a strawberry field and a potato field in California were sprayed with it. 1992-The Peoples Republic of China was the first country to commercialize transgenic plants, introducing a virus-resistant tobacco. 1994-Calgene attained approval to commercially release the Flavr Savr tomato, a tomato engineered to have a longer shelf life, the European Union approved tobacco engineered to be resistant to the herbicide bromoxynil, making it the first genetically engineered crop commercialized in Europe. 2009-11 transgenic crops were grown commercially in 25 countries, the largest of which by area grown were the USA, Brazil, Argentina, India, Canada, China, Paraguay and South Africa. 2010-scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute, announced that they had created the first synthetic bacterial genome, and added it to a cell containing no DNA. The resulting bacterium, named Synthia, was the world's first synthetic life form.

c) Advantages of Genetic Engineering

The benefits of human genetic engineering can be found in the headlines nearly every day. With the successful cloning of mammals and the completion of the Human Genome Project, scientists all over the world are aggressively researching the many different facets of human genetic engineering. These continuing breakthroughs have allowed science to more deeply understand DNA and its role in medicine, pharmacology, reproductive technology, and countless other fields. Some of the most upfront benefits of genetic engineering: 1) Genetic engineering when used on microorganisms help in the creation of new pharmaceuticals which cannot be made in any other way. 2) Genetic engineering helps in the process of bio remediation which is the process of cleaning up waste and pollution with the help of living organisms. 3) Genetic engineering has helped lower the overall usage of herbicide and pesticide. 4) Genetic engineering has helped with the production of vaccines and other drugs in plants. 5) Genetic engineering has helped produce quicker and more predictable way of generating new cultivars. Further, the cultivar properties are better known today than it was ever known before. 6) Today, genetic engineering can produce sustainable agriculture. 7) Genetic engineering has produced very useful genetically modified breeds which can tolerate factory farming without any suffering. 8) In humans, genetic engineering is used to treat genetic disorders and cancer. It also helps in supplying new body parts. 9) Although, this has not been done today, genetic engineering has the potential of creating new types of human beings with many advantageous traits. 10) Anti-sense mRNA technology. 11) Genetic engineering is used in the field of mining to extract useful elements from the ones they are actually embedded into. 12) Certain bacterial sequences are manipulated to transform waste into ethanol, so that it can be used as a fuel. Human genetic engineering is a widely growing field. It can work miracles. But its benefits and threats need to be assessed carefully. The potential advantages of the field can come into reality only if the genetic engineering of humans is handled with responsibility. The pros of genetic engineering are far too many to list. But it is important to understand the boundaries to which the human race can push itself and stop before man starts playing the role of God.

d) Examples of Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering can be seen in many things that we use today. Some common examples are as follows:

Insulin produced from genetically engineered bacteria Fruits and vegetables so that they are more cold resistant and so that they are bigger Food products to be resistant to bacteria Bacteria and viruses for use in research

Super carbon-capturing plants

Humans add about nine gigatons of carbon to the atmosphere annually, and plants and trees absorb about five of those gigatons. The remaining carbon contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming, but scientists are working to create genetically engineered plants and trees that are optimized for capturing this excess carbon. Carbon can spend decades housed in the leaves, branches, seeds and flowers of plants; however, carbon allocated to a plants roots can spend centuries there. Therefore, researchers hope to create bioenergy crops with large root systems that can capture and store carbon underground. Scientists are currently working to genetically modify perennials like switchgrass and Miscanthus because of their extensive root systems.

Medicinal eggs
British scientists have created a breed of genetically modified hens that produce cancer-fighting medicines in their eggs. The animals have had human genes added to their DNA so that human proteins are secreted into the whites of their eggs, along with complex medicinal proteins similar to drugs used to treat skin cancer and other diseases. What exactly do these disease-fighting eggs contain? The hens lay eggs that have miR24, a molecule with potential for treating malignant melanoma and arthritis, and human interferon b1a, an antiviral drug that resembles modern treatments for multiple sclerosis.

Genetically modified trees

Trees are being genetically altered to grow faster, yield better wood and even detect biological attacks. Proponents of genetically engineered trees say biotechnology can help reverse deforestation while satisfying demand for wood and paper products. For example, Australian eucalyptus trees have been altered to withstand freezing temperatures, and loblolly pines have been created with less lignin, the substance that gives trees their rigidity. In 2003, the Pentagon even awarded Colorado State researchers $500,000 to develop pine trees that change color when exposed to biological or chemical attack. However, critics argue that not enough is known about designer trees effect on their natural surroundings they could spread their genes to natural trees or increase wildfire risk, among other drawbacks. Still, the USDA in June gave approval for ArborGen, a biotechnology company, to begin field trials for 250,000 trees in seven southern states.

Less-flatulent cows
Cows produce significant amounts of methane as a result of their digestion process its produced by a bacterium thats a by-product of cows high-cellulosic diets that include grass and hay. Methane is a major contributor second only to carbon dioxide to the greenhouse effect, so scientists have been working to genetically engineer a cow that produces less methane. Agriculture research scientists at the University of Alberta have identified the bacterium responsible for producing methane and designed a line of cattle that creates 25 percent less methane than the average cow.

Banana vaccines
People may soon be getting vaccinated for diseases like hepatitis B and cholera by simply taking a bite of banana. Researchers have successfully engineered bananas, potatoes, lettuce, carrots and tobacco to produce vaccines, but they say bananas are the ideal production and delivery vehicle. When an altered form of a virus is injected into a banana sapling, the virus genetic material quickly becomes a permanent part of the plants cells. As the plant grows, its cells produce the virus proteins but not the infectious part of the virus. When people eat a bite of a genetically engineered banana, which is full of virus proteins, their immune systems build up antibodies to fight the disease just like a traditional vaccine.

Flavr Savr tomato

The Flavr Savr tomato was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. By adding an antisense gene, the California-based company Calgene hoped to slow the ripening process of the tomato to prevent softening and rotting, while allowing the tomato to retain its natural flavor and color. The FDA approved the Flavr Savr in 1994; however, the tomatoes were so delicate that they were difficult to transport, and they were off the market by 1997. On top of production and shipping problems, the tomatoes were also reported to have a very bland taste: The Flavr Savr tomatoes didnt taste that good because of the variety from which they were developed. There was very little flavor to save, said Christ Watkins, a horticulture professor at Cornell University. Fast-growing salmon Aqua Bountys genetically modified salmon grows twice as fast as the conventional variety the photo shows two same-age salmon with the genetically altered one in the rear. The company says the fish has the same flavor, texture, color and odor as a regular salmon; however, the debate continues over whether the fish is safe to eat. Genetically engineered Atlantic salmon has an added growth hormone from a Chinook salmon that allows the fish to produce growth hormone year-round. Scientists were able to keep the hormone active by using a gene from an eel-like fish called an ocean pout, which acts as an on switch for the hormone. If the FDA approves the sale of the salmon, it will be the first time the government has allowed modified animals to be marketed for human consumption. According to federal guidelines, the fish would not have to be labeled as genetically modified.

e) Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering

In Microorganisms: *horizontal gene transfer *creation of dangerous novel pathogens and diseases which may escape containment *spread of antibiotic resistance *viral recombination of supposedly crippled viruses In Plants (Food): *creation of new invasive species (super-weeds) *contamination of organic/non-GM crops/food with transgenes *loss of biodiversity of farm wildlife *loss of crop genetic diversity increases famine risk *more dependence on herbicides *increase in herbicide use to control volunteers (weedy crop plants) *horizontal gene transfer into soil and gut microorganisms *spread of antibiotic resistance marker genes *genomic instability *allergenicity of foods *novel toxicity of foods *crossing 'species barriers' *chemical/seed corporations control food supply *toxins from GM plant debris affect soil flora/fauna *genetic instability of transgenic lines *increased risk of pesticide/herbicide resistance *live recombinant (cancer) viruses from virus-resistant GM plants *genetic pollution multiplies *unsustainable agriculture In Animals: *violation of integrity of animal (crossing species barriers) *increased instrumentalisation of animals *animal suffering *zoonoses (GM animal to human disease transfer in xenotransplantation) *creation of new viral diseases through transfer In People: *a new tool for eugenicists (IVF, diagnosis, selection) *iatrogenic death/illness from gene therapy *potential for creating a genetic underclass *instrumentalisation of the one individual by others ('designer babies') *transmission of adverse effects of germ line manipulation *creation of GM human beings (embryos) to supply body parts *iatrogenic illness from drugs made by genetic engineering,

e.g. insulin *risk of mutation from trans-species transfer of 'jumping genes' *creation of superviruses by viral recombination in human cell culture *cancer from gene therapy viral vectors recombining with endogenous viruses