September 5, 2012 Topic Proposal- Genetic Engineering

Definition the development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism or population. Who Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer (Paul Berg) When 1973 What technique of DNA cloning, allowed genes to be transplanted between different biological species Inventors.about.com/library/inventors/biogenetic.htm How discovered what a gene is chemical compound, if chemical compound they can be manipulated like other chemical compounds Requires 3 elements- gene to be transferred, host cell that the gene is inserted, vector to bring out transfer Why opened the door to create more/better things Human growth hormone- children whose growth is insufficient due to genetic problems Alpha interferon- treatment of disease Interleukin-2- treatment of cancer Factor VIII- hemophiliacs for blood clotting Plants- resistance to herbicides and freezing temp. 3000 disorders due to error in DNA, ex= cystic fibrosis, Huntingtons disease, sickle-cell anemia. *(Human Gene Therapy)- scientists provide correct copy of gene- genetic disorder may be cured Controversy- wipe out certain genes, can create people to be different, what will be enough. www.scienceclarified.com/GA-HE/Genetic-Engineering.html manipulation of genes- alteration can take place in sperm or egg = germ line gene therapy that would change the traits of the child being born can swap bad genes for good ones = somatic cell gene therapy Pros make disease a thing of the past, extend life spans, better pharmaceuticals

Cons safety of the procedure- insertion of gene could end up changing everything, body is like a maze Genetic diversity- wipe out genes- all be the same? playing God-lead to a two-tier society- genetic haves and have nots Parents could assemble their children genetically- create a new race of humans

www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/22211.aspx genes in all our cells code for proteins that provide the structure and function to all our tissues and organs -what disease should be cured, how far should the ability to extend life be able to go? -first gene therapy trial corrected a life-threatening immune disorder in a two-year old girl now doing well -super human race- could create if put in the wrong hands -picking sex of child to prevent sex-linked genetic disease www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/humangeneng.html -super human soldiers Human Genome Project -goals- identify approximately 20 000- 25 000 genes in the human DNA -determine sequence of 3 billion chemical pairs that make up human DNA -humans = 44 autosomes(other cells) and 2 sex chromosomes =46 pairs -chromosome DNA holder- each codes for something different