Lesson 4 Q2 GENETIC ENGINEERING AND ITS IMPACT TO LIVING ORGANISMS

1. GENETIC
ENGINEERING
AND ITS
IMPACT TO
LIVING
ORGANISMS
Lesson 4 : Quarter 2

2. Genetic Engineering
• is the artificial
manipulation, modification,
and recombination of DNA
or other nucleic acid
molecules in order to
modify an organism or
population of organisms.

3. Historical Developments
The term genetic engineering initially referred to
various techniques used for the modification or
manipulation of organisms through the processes of
heredity and reproduction. As such, the term embraced
both artificial selection and all the interventions of
biomedical techniques, among them artificial
insemination, in vitro fertilization (e.g., “test-tube”
babies), cloning, and gene manipulation.

4. Artificial insemination

5. In the latter part of the 20th century,
however, the term came to refer more
specifically to methods of recombinant DNA
technology (or gene cloning), in which DNA
molecules from two or more sources are
combined either within cells or in vitro and are
then inserted into host organisms in which
they are able to propagate.

6. Deoxyribonucleic acid
(abbreviated DNA)
• is the molecule that
carries genetic
information for the
development and
functioning of an
organism.

7. The possibility for recombinant
DNA technology emerged with the
discovery of restriction enzymes in
1968 by Swiss microbiologist
Werner Arber.
The following year American microbiologist Hamilton O.
Smith purified so-called type II restriction enzymes, which
were found to be essential to genetic engineering for their
ability to cleave a specific site within the DNA (as opposed to
type I restriction enzymes, which cleave DNA at random sites).

8. Drawing on Smith’s work,
American molecular biologist Daniel
Nathans helped advance the technique
of DNA recombination in 1970–71 and
demonstrated that type II enzymes
could be useful in genetic studies.
Genetic engineering based on recombination was pioneered in
1973 by American biochemists Stanley N. Cohen and Herbert
W. Boyer, who were among the first to cut DNA into fragments,
rejoin different fragments, and insert the new genes into E. coli
bacteria, which then reproduced.

9. Prior 1950s
• Term “gene”
• was used to stand for the unit by which some genetic
characteristics passed to generation.
1953
• English chemist Francis Crick & American biologist James Watson
created the DNA structure.

10. Gene Splicing
• the process in which
fragments of DNA from one
or more different
microorganism are combined
to form rDNA (recombinant
DNA) and are made to
function within the cell of a
host organism.

11. 2 Highly Significant Techniques:
a. Gene transfer
• transferring the gene from one source
to another subject.
b. Gene therapy
• correcting defective gene that are
responsible for disease development.

13. a. Plasmid
• A circular form of DNA often used as a vector in
genetic engineering.
b. Gene therapy
• an organism/ chemical that is used to transport a
gene to the host cell.
c. Host cell
• the cell into where the new gene is transplanted.

14. Enzymes used:
Endonucleases
• enzymes that cut DNA molecule at some given location.
Exonucleases
• enzyme that removes one nitrogen base unit at a time.
Ligases
• enzyme that join two DNA segments together.
5'GAATTC3’
• a restriction site of a widely used restriction enzyme which
produces sticky ends. The enzyme is ECO R1.

15. rDNA Products:
INSULIN
• Produced by “Genetech”, first genetic engineering
company, founded by Robert Swanson and Herbert Boyer.
• Obtains a copy of insulin gene (can be from natural source
or manufactured)
• Inserting the insulin gene into the vector (using the gene-
splicing process)
• The hybrid plasmid can now be inserted to the host cell.
(this is the manufactured insulin that is injected to diabetic
patients)

16. Human growth hormone
• For children, whose growth is insufficient
because of genetic problems.
Interleukin-2
• for treatment of cancer
Factor VIII
• Needed by hemophiliacs for blood clotting

17. Erythropoietin
• For treatment of anemia
Tumor necrosis factor
• For treatment of tumors
Tissue plasminogen activator
• Use to dissolve blood clots

18. Gene Therapy
4 Approaches
1. A normal gene inserted to compensate for
the defective gene.
2. Abnormal gene replaced with a normal one.
3. Abnormal gene repaired through selective
reverse mutation.
4. Change the regulation of gene pairs.

20. • A vector delivers the therapeutic gene into a
patient’s target cell
• The target cells become infected with the viral
vector
• The vector’s genetic material is inserted into the
target cell
• Functional proteins are created from the
therapeutic gene causing the cell to return to a
normal state.

22. Basic steps involved in recombinant DNA technology
1. Isolation of the gene of interest.
2. Preparation of Vector DNA and DNA to be cloned.
3. Insertion of the gene to the vector molecule and
ligation.
4. Introduction of the vector DNA to the appropriate
host cell.
5. Amplification of the recombinant DNA molecule in
host cell.

24. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
• are organisms whose genetic material has been
altered using genetic engineering.
• range from micro-organisms like yeast and
bacteria to insects, plants, fish, and mammals.

25. Genetically Modified Crops
• are those engineered to introduce a new
trait into the species.
• it’s generally include resistance to certain
pests, diseases, or environmental
conditions, or resistance to chemical
treatments (e.g. resistance to an
herbicide).

26. • Other purposed of genetic modification of
crops is to enhance its nutritional value, as
seen in the case of golden rice.

27. How are organisms genetically modified?

28. Recombination
• is the process through which a new gene is inserted into
a bacterial DNA "The plasmid".
1. The DNA needs to be cut with an enzyme called a
restriction enzyme.
2. The restriction enzyme used must have a specific
shape that allows it to move along the DNA that is to be
cut.
3. The restriction enzyme looks for a specific point in the
DNA sequence at which to cut the DNA.

29. 4. When the restriction enzyme cuts, it leaves a
"Sticky end" which helps a new gene to attach at
that point.
5. Another enzyme is used to attach the new DNA
segment; this is called "DNA ligase".
Genetically engineered bacterium is cultured and
many new copies of the bacteria with the new gene
are grown. Genetic modifications can be made to
both plants and animals.

31. Genetic modification
• involves the insertion or deletion of genes.
• When genes are inserted, they usually
come from a different species, which is a
form of horizontal gene transfer.
• In nature this can occur when exogenous
DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any
reason.

32. Genetic modification
• To do this artificially may require attaching the genes
to a virus or just physically inserting the extra DNA
into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small
syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene
gun.
Agrobacterium
• ability to transfer genetic material to plants, or the
ability of lentiviruses to transfer genes to animal
cells.

33. PRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS
A. TRANSGENIC PLANTS
• have been engineered for scientific research, to create new
colors in flowers, and to create improved crops.
• In research, plants are engineered to help discover the functions
of certain genes.
• One way to do this is to knock out the gene of interest and see
what phenotype develops.
• Another strategy is to attach the gene to a strong promoter and
see what happens when it is over expressed.

34. B. GM CROPS
• In agriculture, genetically engineered crops are
created to possess several desirable traits, such as
resistance to pests, herbicides, or harsh
environmental conditions, improved product shelf life,
increased nutritional value, or production of valuable
goods such as drugs (pharming).
• Plants, including algae, jatropha, maize, and other
plants have been genetically modified for use in
producing fuel, known as biofuel.

36. C. MICROBES
• Bacteria were the first
organisms to be modified in the
laboratory, due to their simple
genetics.
• These organisms are now used
for several purposes and are
particularly important in
producing large amounts of
pure human proteins for use in
medicine.

37. D. MAMMALS
• Ralph L. Brinster and Richard Palmiter developed the
techniques responsible for transgenic mice, rats, rabbits,
sheep, and pigs in the early 1980s.
• They established many of the first transgenic models of
human disease, including the first carcinoma caused by a
transgene.
• The process of genetically engineering animals is a slow,
tedious, and expensive process. However, new
technologies are making genetic modifications easier and
more precise.

38. E. FISH
• GM fish are used for scientific research and as pets, and
are being considered for use as food and as aquatic
pollution sensors.
• Genetically engineered fish are widely used in basic
research in genetics and development.
• Two species of fish, zebra fish and medaka, are most
commonly modified because they have optically clear
chorions (shells), rapidly develop, and the 1-cell embryo is
easy to see and microinject with transgenic DNA.

39. • The GloFish is a patented brand of
genetically modified (GM) fluorescent
zebra fish with bright red, green, and
orange fluorescent color.
• Although not originally developed for
the ornamental fish trade, it became
the first genetically modified animal to
become publicly available as a pet
when it was introduced for sale in
2003. They were quickly banned for
sale in California on the grounds of
ethical issues.

40. INTENDED PURPOSE FOR THE GENETIC
MODIFICATION OF MAMMALS
• To research human diseases (for example, to
develop animal models for these diseases).
• To produce industrial or consumer products (fibers
for multiple uses.
• To produce products intended for human therapeutic
use (pharmaceutical products or tissue for
implantation).

41. • To enrich or enhance the animals'
interactions with humans (hypoallergenic
pets).
• To enhance production or food quality traits
(faster growing fish, pigs that digest food
more efficiently).
• To improve animal health (disease
resistance).

42. BENEFITS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
1. Production of Human Insulin:
• Patients suffering from diabetes are not capable of
producing enough insulin. So, there arises a need for such
people to obtain insulin from external sources.
2. Use in Gene Therapy:
• The GMOs like some viruses are used in gene therapy.
• Gene therapy can be used in the treatment of various
genetic disorders and diseases like sickle cell anemia,
muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis.

43. 3. Creation of Neo-organs:
• The unavailability of organs for transplants is a
big problem today.
• The creation of neo-organs to increase the
supply of desired organs is possible by means of
genetic engineering.
• The regeneration of new tissues is carried out by
the injection of a growth factor using a tissue
injector.

44. 4. Usage in Agriculture:
• Genetically modified plants have many
applications in the field of agriculture.
• Genetic modification or engineering is used
for increasing the production of crops, pest
control, weed management, etc.
• The genetically modified foods are also
produced to make them more nutritive.

45. BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
 Genetic engineering when used on microorganisms
help in the creation of new pharmaceuticals which
cannot be made in any other way.
 Genetic engineering helps in the process of
bioremediation which is the process of cleaning up
waste and pollution with the help of living organisms.
 Genetic engineering has helped lower the overall
usage of herbicide and pesticide.

46.  Genetic engineering has helped with the production of
vaccines and other drugs in plants.
 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. Today, genetic engineering can
produce sustainable agriculture.
 Genetic engineering has produced very useful genetically
modified breeds which can tolerate factory farming
without any suffering.

47.  In humans, genetic engineering is used to treat genetic
disorders and cancer. It also helps in supplying new body
parts.
 Although, this has not been done today, genetic
engineering has the potential of creating new types of
human beings with many advantageous traits.
 Genetic engineering is used in the field of mining to extract
useful elements from the ones they are embedded into.
 Certain bacterial sequences are manipulated to transform
waste into ethanol, so that it can be used as a fuel.

48. RISK OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
Main argument made against activity of
genetic modification is that it leads to
unpredictable outcomes or side effects.
• Genetic modification is unnatural and doesn't
fit in the context of natural ways like
breeding/crossing the plants and animals for
bringing out the best in them.

49. • Thus, the possibility of unpredictable alterations
taking place in the genetic make-up of organisms is
one of the biggest cause of worries among scientists
regarding the whole issue of genetic modification.
• It is important to note that FDA has not approved
consuming animals that are genetically modified.
This stand taken by the FDA implies that they don't
want these genetically organisms to become a part
of the food chain.

50. Harmful Effects on Crops:
• The genetically modified crops which the farmers
plant in their fields have the same genetic make-up.
• Cross-pollination of such plants with other plants
increases the risk of contamination.
• The 'Bt' (Bacillus thuringiensis) genes present in the
GM crops kill the insects like bees, ladybird beetles,
butterflies, etc.
• Thus, helpful organisms too are affected along with
pests.

51. GM Animals:
• Genetic modification in animals is carried out to produce
pharmaceuticals, human proteins and in therapies.
• The activity of animal cloning leads to deformities at the
time of birth and many of such animals die while they are
still young. Genetic engineering is also used for creating
organs by means of animals for implanting them in human
beings. For example, pig's heart could be transplanted in a
human, if he is facing the danger of heart failure. However,
the pig's heart if infected with a disease, it might spread to
the human beings.

52. • Also, how exactly the modifications/alterations
would affect the future generations of the
species in questions.
• Gambling with the fate of these innocent
creatures and ultimately human beings (who
consume these animals) is not at all worth the
risk.

53. Risk of Misuse:
• The risk of the information regarding these techniques
falling into wrong hands should be considered while
studying the pros and cons of genetic engineering.
• Mindless cloning of animals and plants for commercial
purposes would have adverse effects on the gene
pool we have today.
• The process of genetic erosion might accelerate with
increase in the number of genetically modified
organisms.

56. QUIZ NO.
4

57. 1. The artificial manipulation, modification, and
recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid
molecules in order to modify an organism or
population of organisms.
A. Micro dynamics
B. Genetic Engineering
C. Gene Splicing
D. Recombination

58. 2. The process through which a new
gene is inserted into a bacterial
DNA "The plasmid".
A. Micro dynamics
B. Genetic Engineering
C. Gene Splicing
D. Recombination

59. 3. The process in which fragments of DNA
from one or more different
microorganism are combined to form
rDNA.
A. Micro dynamics
B. Genetic Engineering
C. Gene Splicing
D. Recombination

60. 4. It is a circular form of DNA often
used as a vector in genetic
engineering.
A. Host cell
B. Insulin
C. Ligases
D. Plasmid

61. 5. The term DNA means?
A. Deoxyribonucleic acid
B. Dyribonucleic acid
C. Deoxynucleic acid
D. Doxyribonucleic acid

62. 6. In genetic engineering, what
does GMO stands for?
A. Genetically Modified Organisms
B. Gene Modified Organisms
C. Genetically Mode Organisms
D. Genetically Microorganisms

63. 7. Ability to transfer genetic material to
plants, or the ability of lentiviruses to
transfer genes to animal cells.
A. Genetic modification
B. Transgenic plants
C. Gene Therapy
D. Agrobacterium

64. 8. What is the first organisms to be
modified in the laboratory, due to their
simple genetics?
A. Plants
B. Humans
C. Bacteria
D. Animals

65. 9. Involves the insertion or deletion
of genes.
A. Gene Splicing
B. Gene Transfer
C. Gene modification
D. Gene Therapy

66. 10. Which of the following is not a
benefit of Genetic Engineering?
A. Use in Gene Therapy
B. Creation of Neo-organs
C. Usage in Agriculture
D. Genetic modification is
unnatural

67. 11. Transferring the gene from one
source to another subject.
A. Gene Splicing
B. Gene Transfer
C. Gene modification
D. Gene Therapy

68. 12. It engineered for scientific research,
to create new colors in flowers, and
to create improved crops.
A. Microbes
B. GM Crops
C. Transgenic Plants
D. Mammals

69. 13. Correcting defective gene that are
responsible for disease
development.
A. Gene Splicing
B. Gene Transfer
C. Gene modification
D. Gene Therapy

70. 14.These are for treatment of
anemia.
A. Erythropoietin
B. Endonucleases
C. Exonucleases
D. Interleukin-2

71. 15.These are for treatment of
cancer.
A. Erythropoietin
B. Endonucleases
C. Exonucleases
D. Interleukin-2

72. Enumeration
16 – 17. 2 Highly Significant
Techniques in Gene Splicing
18 – 20. Give three benefits of
Genetic Engineering

73. 1. B 6. A 11. B 16 – 17.
2. D 7. D 12. C Gene Therapy
3. C 8. C 13. D Gene Transfer
4. D 9. C 14. A 18 – 20.
5. A 10. D 15. D Production of Human Insulin
Use in Gene Therapy
Creation of Neo-organs
Usage in Agriculture