Gene transfer and genetically modified organisms involve modifying an organism's genes through biotechnology. Some examples include tomatoes modified to delay ripening and transgenic sheep that produce enhanced wool. Potential benefits include increased food supply and quality, but risks include unknown health effects and unintended gene transfer. The sequencing of the human genome allowed for the identification of genes, improved data storage, and discovery of gene locations and evolutionary relationships. Gene transfer between species keeps protein sequences unchanged due to the universal genetic code. One technique uses restriction enzymes to cut genes from genomes, plasmids to transfer genes, and DNA ligase to join genes for insertion into host cells like bacteria.

1. Gene transfer & Genetically
modified organisms
JeHoon Oh

2. Definition of Gene
• Gene is the heritable factor that
determines the phenotype and genotype.

3. Definition of Genotype and
Phenotype
• Phenotype: characteristic of an organism
• Genotype: It is the arrangement of alleles
in organisms.

4. State two examples of the current
uses of genetically modified crops
or animals.

5. • An example of genetically modified crop is
the deactivation of the ripening gene in
tomatos – (from page 245 biozones). The
gene is deleted to control the ripening.
• Another example is livestock improvement
through use of transgenic animals.
Transgenic sheep produces enhanced wool.
– (from page 246 biozones).

6. Discuss the potential benefits and
possible harmful effects of one
example of genetic modification.

7. • Benefit:
-Prevent the shortage of food
-better quality of food with mineral and vitamins
-Longer duration of food ripening
• Disadvantages:
-Food can be unsafe to humans
-Risk of having unknown effect to organisms
through gene transfer.

8. Outline three outcomes of the
sequencing of the complete human
genome.
• It would help identify much of 20,000 ~ 25,000 genes in human DNA
• It would improve store of information as data
• Transfer could be done using technologies related to private sector
(All this information referenced from
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml)
-Also location of genes could be discovered
-Evolutionary relationship can be more explainable
(These two outcomes are referenced from
http://i-biology.net/ibdpbio/04-genetics-and-geneticengineering/genetic-
engineering-and-biotechnology/)

9. When genes are
transferred between species, the
amino acid sequence of
polypeptides translated
from them is unchanged because
the genetic code is universal.

10. All organisms use the same genetic code.
Thus, the gene should be transcribed and
translated into same protein.

11. Outline a basic technique used for
gene transfer involving plasmids,
a host cell (bacterium, yeast or
other cell), restriction enzymes
(endonucleases) and DNA ligase.

12. • The restriction enzymes (like CTAGG we learned in
class from Ecori) are cut from genome to gain the
desired gene.
• Plasmid is removed from Ecoli to get the same enzyme
restriction.
• Same restriction enzyme can connect each other due to
their same ends.
• Ligase is used like glue stick to join the stick ends, fixing
the gene.
• This newly created gene is replaced into the host cell.
(Human insulin is produced this way)
(Referenced from http://i-biology.net/ibdpbio/04-genetics-
and-genetic-engineering/genetic-engineering-and-
biotechnology/)