CLONING

Cloning is another example of BIOTECHNOLOGY. 1.Genetically identical individuals are created from a DONOR cell. In a basic sense, scientists are able to use a single cell from an adult to grow an 2.entirely new individual that is completely IDENTICAL offspring, without the help of another parent. Although the process is relatively straightforward in simple organisms such as bacteria, this is not the case for multicellular organisms such as SHEEP. 6. DOLLY is a sheep and was the first animal to be cloned successfully. Dolly was the 277th attempt in cloning a mammal and her death spared a huge array of new research questions.

3. To clone an animal, (1) an egg is taken from an adult female and the NUCLEUS of a female egg is removed. (2) The remaining egg cell is then injected with the nucleus of a cell taken from another adult. (3) When they fuse, they produce a single cell that begins to DIVIDE. (4) Once the single cell has become an embryo, it is then placed inside of the UTERUS a FOSTER mother. (5) Eventually, it develops into an offspring that is genetically identical to the original animal that donated the NUCLEUS.

4 .Researchers hope that by cloning animals, they can help endangered species populations recover or produce animals that can genetically PRODUCE substances with significant commercial or medical value. Another possible benefit would be creating tissues for transplantation that would not be rejected by their host and using genetically altered cells to CURE people with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

5. Cloning creates serious ethical concurs, however. One of these concerns is that someone will both try and succeed at cloning a HUMAN. In the United States, federal research funds are not given to scientists who research human cloning, but the research is not FORBIDDEN.

STEM CELLS

The human body produces billions of new cells every day. Most of these cells have very specific jobs. Early in development, they become specialized as different types of cells, such as blood, muscle, or brain. Some cells, however, are not specialized. Instead they can develop into a wide variety of cells. These are referred to as stem cells.

Researchers hope that stem cells hold the key to replacing cells that have been damaged from injury or disease or can no longer regenerate.

What is a Stem Cell?

1. Stem cells are special cells with unique growth characteristics. 2. They can make identical copies of themselves, as well as grow into more specialized cells. 3. There are two types of Stem Cells: Embryonic Stem Cells and Adult Stem Cells.

4. Embryonic Stem Cells are preferred by scientists because they are the only type that can be grown in large numbers in a laboratory. They also retain the ability to grow into any cell in the body, unlike Adult Stem Cells. Adult Stem cells are harder to grow in the laboratory and are more limited in the types of cells they can make.

Ethical Issues:

In order to get 5. Embryonic Stem Cells, 6. an embryo is destroyed. This has caused people to question the morality and ethics of stem cell research. The use of stem cells are controversial for a number of reasons, but also have the potential for curing diseases.

7. PROS:

1.  Help fin cures and treatments for many diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries and cancer.

2.  Can be used to generate new organs or tissue that is an identical match to the donor.

3.  Better and more natural alternative to current drug and radiation treatments.

4.  SAVES LIVES

8. CONS:

1.  It destroys a human embryo, which means life is destroyed if you think life starts at conception.

2.  We are messing too much with life and playing God.

3.  Stems cells can cause cancer if they are not programmed correctly.

HUMAN GENOME PROJECT

What is the Human Genome Project (HGP)?

1. In 1990, scientists around the world formally began the Human Genome Project. They aimed to make a map of every gene in the human body. One of the main goals of the project 2. was to identify the approximately 30,000-40,000 genes in human DNA. A second goal was to determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs (nitrogen bases) that make up human DNA. The tremendous undertaking was expected to take 15 years, but 3. scientists collaborated globally to complete the HGP. 4. One complete map was created for all human beings from a black woman’s, Henrietta Lacks, cancer cells. 5. improvements in technology enabled scientists to achieve 3. their goals in less time. The project was completed in 2003.

DID YOU KNOW? 6. A genome is a complete set of an organisms DNA. There are about 3 billion base pairs in the human genome. Hundreds to thousands of genes are located on each of the 46 chromosomes. Each genes makes an average of three proteins.

What are some of the Ethical Concerns?

In addition to a tremendous amount of work and a hefty price tag, the Human Genome Project also came with its own controversy. 7. Researchers hope to use the information to detect and treat abnormalities that lead to disease. Everyone would 8. benefit by having access to genetic testing for mutations that could be used to make decisions on everything from having children to becoming proactive with their own healthcare. Still others worry that 8. humans are exerting too much control over nature. Opponents are afraid that the information could lead to a future where parents genetically select everything from eye color to intelligence for their offspring, the “super” humans!

Critical Policy and Ethical Issues
From its inception, the Human Genome Project dedicated funds to identify and address the ethical, legal, and social issues surrounding the availability of new genetic data and capabilities. Examples of such issues follow.*

·  Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information.Who owns and controls genetic information? Is genetic privacy different from medical privacy?

·  Fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military, among others.Who should have access to personal genetic information, and how will it be used?

·  Psychological impact, stigmatization, and discrimination due to an individual's genetic makeup.How does personal genetic information affect self-identity and society's perceptions?

·  Reproductive issues including adequate and informed consent and the use of genetic information in reproductive decision making.Do healthcare personnel properly counsel parents about risks and limitations? What are the larger societal issues raised by new reproductive technologies?

·  Clinical issues including the education of doctors and other health-service providers, people identified with genetic conditions, and the general public; and the implementation of standards and quality-control measures.How should health professionals be prepared for the new genetics? How can the public be educated to make informed choices? How will genetic tests be evaluated and regulated for accuracy, reliability, and usefulness?(Currently, there is little regulation.)How does society balance current scientific limitations and social risk with long-term benefits?

·  Fairness in access to advanced genomic technologies.Who will benefit? Will there be major worldwide inequities?

GENE THERAPY

What is Gene Therapy?

1. Gene therapy is inserting a normal gene in cells to replace a defective or missing gene in order to correct genetic disorders.

How does it work?

2. Gene therapy works by using viruses to deliver the correct gene to the cell. The virus carries the correct gene, and once it combines with the cell’s DNA, all the new cells formed from cell division will have the correct version of the gene.

What are examples of gene disorders that can be corrected by Gene Therapy?

3.

1.  Cystic Fibrosis

2.  Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

4. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce mucous that is very thick and sticky. The thick mucous leads to trouble breathing and infections. It is caused by one defective gene, which codes for a protein making the thicker mucous. Most sufferers die by age 30.

How can CF be treated?

5. CF can be treated using Gene Therapy. The defective gene can be replaced by a healthy gene, in order for the person to make the correct protein. This would lead to normal mucous consistency.

What is Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)?

6. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is a genetic disorder in which there is a problem with a gene found on the X chromosome. This means females can be carriers of the disorder, but males will be more likely to get it (since they only have one X chromosome and females have two). The faulty gene affects the person’s ability to fight off diseases. Their immune systems are very weak and do not protect against diseases. This can lead to an early death.

How can SCID be treated?

7. Gene therapy can be used to help treat SCID. This involves removing cells from a child with SCID and inserting healthy genes into them, then transplanting the genes back into the child.

Benefits of Gene Therapy:

8.

·  Helps cure diseases at the genetic level

Concerns of Gene Therapy:

9.

·  The virus may not insert the correct gene properly, resulting in more complications and potentially the creation of serious disorders.

·  The technology is expensive and may only be accessible to the rich, meaning the rich may get richer and the poor poorer

·  It involves manipulating genetic makeup and altering nature. This is like “playing God”