Biotechnology: W

Genetically L
C
O
Modified Organisms M
E

and the Human Gene

Therapy

Module 9
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 Learning Outcomes and
Performance Indicators
1.Define genetically modified organisms and gene therapy.
2.Explain the significance of GMOs, and gene therapy to
society.
3.Evaluate the societal and environmental impacts of
biotechnological applications.
4.Define gene therapy and its potential applications in
treating genetic disorders.
5.Discuss the ethical implications of manipulating genes
and genetic material in humans, animals, and plants.

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 Content Outline
01 Biotechnology 02 Principles 03 Applications

Definition  Genetic  GMOs

Engineering
 Gene Therapy
04 Impacts  Chemical 05 Risks
Engineering
Biotechnology and Ethical Issues and
the Society Concerns

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Deals with the modification of genetic material of an organism

G_
EN_E_
T I_ C E_
NG_I _N_EE
_ _R_
I N_G
Utilization of organisms, part of organisms, and biological processes
for the benefit of mankind.

B_I O
_T_ _ _N_
E CH _ _GY
OLO
Process of making an exact duplicate of the genetic
material

G_ _ _ C_L_N_
ENE O IN_G
Revolves around the use of chemicals for the growth and
maintenance of cell cultures

C_HE
_M_C_L
I A
E_
NGI
_ _ NEE
_ _ _R_
I NG
__
Animals that have had their DNA manipulated

TR_
ANS
_ _G_N_C
E I A_
NI_ MALS
____
 BIOTECHNOLOGY
 techniques of using live organisms or enzymes
from organisms to produce products and
processes useful to humans

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Utilization of any of the following:

• Organisms
• Part of organisms
• Biological processes
Utilization of any of the following:

• Organisms
• Part of organisms
• Biological processes
Hepatitis B Vaccine Blood of the Patients
Utilization of any of the following:

• Organisms
• Part of organisms
• Biological processes
Rice Staple diet Majority of Population

• Development and maintenance of

good vision

• Vision related issues and

malnutrition
β-Carotene Converts into
(Red-orange colored Vitamin A
Pigment)
PRINCIPLES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Genetic Engineering
 Techniques to alter the chemistry
of genetic material (DNA and RNA)
to introduce these into host
organisms and thus change the
phenotype of the host organism

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Recombinant DNA
Technology
• technique to alter the genes of
an organism
• involves the selection of the
desired gene for administration
into the host followed by a
selection of the perfect vector
with which the gene has to be
integrated and hence the
recombinant DNA is formed
 Processes of Recombinant DNA
Technology
Isolation of Genetic Material
 Identify section of DNA that contains required gene from source
chromosome
 Enzymes: biological polymers that catalyze biochemical reactions

•Lysozyme – to break bacterial cell wall

•Cellulase – plant cell wall
•Chitinase – fungal cell wall
•Ribonuclease – removes RNA
•Protease – removes proteins
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 Processes of Recombinant DNA
Technology
Restriction Enzyme Digestion
 Extract required gene
 The technique – ‘Agarose Gel Electrophoresis’ reveals the
progress of the restriction enzyme digestion.

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 Processes of Recombinant DNA
Technology
Amplification Using PCR
 Polymerase Chain Reaction: method of making multiple copies
of a DNA sequence using the enzyme – DNA polymerase

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 Processes of Recombinant DNA
Technology
Ligation of DNA Molecules
 Insert required gene into vector/bacterial
plasmid
 Ligation: process of joining the cut
fragment of DNA and the cut vector
 The resulting DNA is ‘recombinant DNA’

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 Processes of Recombinant DNA
Technology
Insertion of Recombinant DNA Into Host
 Transformation:
recombinant DNA
is introduced into
a recipient host
cell

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 Processes of Recombinant DNA
Technology
Obtaining Foreign Gene Product
 Grow transformed cells to produce a GM organism

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Chemical Engineering
 Revolves around the use of chemicals for the growth and maintenance
of cell cultures

Eukaryotic/Microbial Cell Culture Contamination free zone

Vaccines Antibodies Enzymes

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APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Genetically Modified Organisms
 living organisms particularly animals, plants, and microbes whose
DNA have been transformed or changed through genetic
engineering techniques

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GMOs Transgenic

Possess a GMO but carries DNA

genetically sequences or genes from
modified genome a different organism

May or may not

have foreign DNA Have foreign DNA
 History of GM Crops
1982
 first genetically modified plant: antibiotic- resistant tobacco plant

 China: first country to allow

commercialization of
transgenic plants

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 History of GM Crops
1994
 US approved Flvr Savr (also known as CGN-89564-2) tomato for sale in
US.
 first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a
license for human consumption

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 History of GM Crops
1995
 Bt potato, canola, and Bt cotton were approved
 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops are plants genetically engineered to
contain the endospore toxins of the bacterium, Bt to be resistant to
certain insect pests.

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 History of GM Crops
1996
 first GM maize producing a Bt Cry protein was approved
 genetically altered to express one or more proteins from the bacterium
Bacillus thuringiensis including Delta endotoxins

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 History of GM Crops
2000
 the first two GM rice varieties both
with herbicide-resistance, called
LLRice60 and LLRice62, were
approved in the US
 LibertyLink rice is resistant
to glufosinate (the active chemical in
Liberty herbicide

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 History of GM Crops
2000
 vitamin A enriched golden rice was introduced
 produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a
precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of the rice

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 History of GM Crops
2002
 Bt cotton was released in India

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 History of GM Crops
2009
 In China, insect-resistant GM rice have been approved for food, feed,
and cultivation

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 History of GM Crops
2013
 a total of 36
countries have
granted regulatory
approvals for
biotech crops,
involving 27 GM
crops and 336 GM
events

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 History of GM Animals
1982
 The first transgenic animal was a
supermouse created by Ralph Brinster and
Richard Palmiter

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 History of GM Animals
1996
 Dolly was cloned from a cell taken from the mammary gland of a six-
year-old Finn Dorset sheep and an egg cell taken from a Scottish
Blackface sheep

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 History of GM Animals
2000
 ANDi (“inserted DNA”) was
the first transgenic monkey

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 History of GM Animals
2015
 Beijing Genomics Institute announced the sale of the first micropigs
created with the help of the TALENs gene-editing technique

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 History of GM Animals
2015
 CRISPR/Cas9 modified 60 genes in pig embryos in first step to create
organs suitable for human transplants

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 History of GM Animals
2021
 First genetically
engineered pig kidney
was successfully
transplanted into a
brain-dead human
patient (James Parsons)

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 History of GM Animals
2022
 first pig-to-human heart transplant

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 Ethical Questions
1. Should someone who has received one organ
transplant be given a second transplant? Or should
people who have not had a transplant be given priority
over those who have already had one?
2. Should individuals whose organ damage can be
attributed to their lifestyle choices (such as smoking,
drinking, or drug use) be considered eligible for organ
transplants?
3. Should suicidal individuals be given an organ
transplant? What if they attempted suicide in the past
but are not currently contemplating suicide? 43
 Ethical Questions

4. Should age and whether or not a person

has children even matter?
5. Should people who don’t have insurance
and can’t pay for a transplant be allowed to
go on the national waiting list?
6. Should condemned prisoners receive organ
transplants? What if they are serving a life
sentence without parole?
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 Pros and Cons of GMOs

PROS CONS

• May have fewer pesticides • May cause allergic reactions

• Usually cheaper • May increase antibiotic resistance
• May have more nutrients • Spread of serious epidemics or
• Can help us to increase crop yields pandemics
• Can reduce the global hunger problem • Possible safety issues of GMOs
• Longer shelf-life of genetically • GMOs may alter the DNA of
modified food organisms
• Long-term consequences are still
unclear

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 Gene Therapy
 medical approach that treats or prevents disease by correcting the
underlying genetic problem
Earliest Methods:
 Introduce a new gene into
cells to help fight a
disease.
 Introduce a non-faulty
copy of a gene to stand in
for the altered copy
causing disease. 46
Genome Editing:
 Fix a genetic alteration underlying a disorder, so the gene can function properly.
 Turn on a gene to help fight a disease.
 Turn off a gene that is functioning improperly.
 Remove a piece of DNA that is impairing gene function and causing disease.
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IMPACTS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO
SOCIETY
Healthcare and Medicine
 development of advanced diagnostic tools, genetic
testing, and personalized medicine
 production of recombinant drugs, such as insulin,
growth hormones, and clotting factors, improving
the treatment of various diseases
 potential cures for genetic disorders and
regenerative medicine
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Agriculture and Food Production
 resistance to pests, diseases,
and herbicides, as well as
enhanced nutritional content
 increased crop yields, reduced
dependence on chemical
pesticides, and improved food
quality

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Environmental Impact
 Bioremediation techniques
utilize microorganisms or
enzymes to break down
pollutants, reducing soil and
water contamination

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Industrial Applications
 production of textiles,
detergents, paper, consumer
goods, and biofuels
 development of
biodegradable materials,
reducing waste and pollution

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RISKS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
Human Genetic Enhancement
 raises questions about the ethics of
enhancing human traits beyond what is
considered normal or natural
 May lead to issues of inequality,
discrimination, and societal divisions

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Informed Consent
 consent may not be directly
obtained from the individuals
affected, raising ethical concerns
about decision-making on behalf
of future generations

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Safety and Unintended
Consequences
 May have unintended
consequences, such as
unforeseen genetic
mutations, disruptions in
ecosystems, or unforeseen
health risks, which need to
be carefully evaluated and
monitored

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Unintended Consequences on
Future Generations
 Concerns about the long-term
effects and potential risks

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Animal Welfare
 Concerns about
animal welfare and
the potential for
exploitation or harm
to vulnerable
populations

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Environmental Impact
 Unintended
consequences on the
environment and
disrupting natural
balances

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 “Playing God”
 by manipulating the genetic makeup of organisms, humans are taking on
a role traditionally attributed to a higher power or transcendent
authority
 altering the
fundamental aspects
of life and its natural
processes may
overstep human
boundaries and
interfere with the
natural order 58
Tampering with Nature
 Mixing genes among species challenges the traditional boundaries
between different species and blurs the distinctions that exist in the
natural world

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Thank you
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 Wrap- Up Activity
“I am a scientist!”
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As a scientist, if you were to engage in
transgenesis, a) which plant or animal would
you choose as your subject? Why? b) What
specific new traits would you inject or insert? c)
What are your reasons for selecting these
traits?
Note: Provide a sketch or drawing to illustrate
your ideas. 62