Genetic Engineering Lecture Notes

Introduction to Genetic Engineering

• Basic Concept:
  • Transfer genes responsible for desirable traits from one organism to another.
  • Modify an organism's genome by adding a helpful gene, creating Genetically Modified (GM) organisms.

Applications of Genetic Engineering

• Cross-Species Genetic Modification:
  • Ability to use genes from one species to modify another species.
• Sheep Genetic Engineering:
  • Genetically modified to produce drugs in milk for disease treatment.
• Bacteria Genetic Engineering:
  • Engineered to produce human insulin for diabetes treatment.
• Crop Genetic Engineering:
  • Improved size and quality of fruit.
  • Resistance to diseases, insects, and herbicides.

Gene Therapy

• Aim to treat inherited disorders caused by faulty genes.
• Process:
  • Introduce a healthy gene to fix the problem.
• Challenges:
  • Difficult to transfer the new gene into every cell in the body.
  • Potential solution: Transfer gene at early developmental stages (egg or embryo).

Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

• Pros:
  • Enhanced desirable traits in crops (e.g. larger fruit, disease resistance).
  • Cost-effective food production, beneficial to developing countries.
  • Nutrient-enriched crops (e.g. golden rice with beta-carotene).
• Cons:
  • Uncertainty about health effects of GM plants.
  • Environmental concerns: Potential for GM plants to disturb ecosystems (though unlikely).

Gene Transfer Process

• Steps:
  • Identify and isolate the desired gene using enzymes.
  • Insert gene into a vector (e.g. virus or bacterial plasmid).
  • Introduce the vector to the target organism (e.g. pig, plant).
  • Organism's cells uptake vector and produce the protein coded by the gene.

Conclusion

• Genetic engineering holds promise and challenges in various fields from agriculture to medicine.
• Further research and monitoring are essential to understand long-term effects and potential risks.