Monday, December 17, 2018

Human Genetic Technology Links of Interest

Related image Human Genetic Technology Links of Interest:


  • Here are some links to very informative websites about human genetic technology


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5178364/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424553/

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Gene Therapy Research Claim & Designer Babies Claim

Gene Therapy Research Claim: 

Related imageGenetic Pathways Incorporated has explored the idea of gene therapy, and we have come to the decision that gene therapy should be allowed because it allows you to treat or prevent some diseases. By allowing gene therapy some diseases could be eradicated, or their effects minimized. You could possibly eradicate cystic fibrosis or sickle-cell anemia. Gene therapy helps discover where the diseases come from, so from there they can try and get rid of it even before conception. Gene therapy is a useful tool that can help us reduce human suffering and improve life.

Image result for designer babies pics Designer Babies Claim:

Genetic Pathways Incorporated has also explored the idea of designer babies, and weighed the pros and the cons, and we have reached the decision that designer babies should not be allowed. We have come to this decision because we believe that while there are some pros to designer babies, the cons far outweigh them. First of all, designer babies are literally changing someone's appearance and genetic make-up simply to make them by some definition "look better". You are changing what God our Creator made in His own image, what He is knitting together in the mother's womb. We as humans, should not mess with what God has done based on our desire for a particular appearance. 

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

Genetic Technology Applications in Pharmaceuticals

Genetic Technology Applications in Pharmaceuticals: Image result for Pharmaceuticals pics

  • Recombinant human insulin became the first artificially manufactured pharmaceutical in 1982. This same year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for human use. Until that time, pig or cow insulin was used for humans how no longer made enough insulin to meet their bodies needs.
  • The recombinant formula was an advantage for humans because it did not trigger allergic type side effects some people had with the animal based products (Aldujaily, 2016).
  • Genetic technology has also been used develop antibiotics, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and some other vitamins and a host of other medications. Indeed, most recombinant pharmaceuticals (medications) today are the result of  genetic engineering. The economic impact of these developments is huge, with revenue generation expected to top 844 billion dollars by 2025 (Grand View Research, 2017).
Sources:



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Human Genome Project & Gene Therapy

Related imageHuman Genome Project and Gene Therapy: 

Here is a YouTube link to a summary of the Human Genome project:




Definition:
  • Human Genome Project (HGP), is an international collaboration that successfully determined, stored, and made publicly available the sequences of almost all the genetic content of the chromosomes of the human genome.

Why it is important:
  • The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an thirteen-year international project that started in October 1990. The project was significant because it used information from DNA to start the path to new ways to treat, cure, and possibly even prevent thousands of different diseases that humans experience. 
  • The goal of the HGP was to identify and sequence all the approximate 30,000 genes within human DNA. It determined the order of the three billion chemical base pairs that compromise human DNA, and recorded this information for the future. The project also served to improve tools for data analysis, transfer some of related technologies to the private sector, raised ethical questions and started to address the ethical, legal and social issues came from the work.
  • Gene Therapy Definition: Gene therapy is an experimental approach that uses genes to treat or prevent various diseases.
  • Impact of HGP on gene therapy: The objectives For HGP was to learn more about the genes that influence the heredity of disease, as well as to discover the genes that would aid in gene therapy. Advances in gene therapy help treat hereditary diseases and may eliminate some disease from the genome.
Sources:

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    Gene Manipulation

    Related imageGene Manipulation: 


    Definition: 

    • Genetic manipulation is, in essence, a process done to manipulate the genome of an organism in order to produce desired traits. 

    How it works: 
    • Both genetic engineering and selective breeding are considered genetic manipulation. Genetic engineering puts the power of manipulation in the hands of mankind because scientists manipulate the DNA themselves. The ability to manipulate the genome and gene expressions of organisms requires scientists to first develop the tools to manipulate DNA, and then develop methods to introduce DNA that has been modified into the organism's genome.
    Gene Splicing:
    • A term used to refer to the process by which the DNA of an organism is cut and a gene, perhaps from another organism, is inserted. (see genetic engineering and recombinant DNA.) Gene splicing is often used in industry to allow single-celled organisms to produce useful products, such as human insulin. It is also used in the production of genetically modified organims.
    Gel Electrophoresis:
    • Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular size. In gel electrophoresis, the molecules to be separated are pushed by an electrical field through a gel that contains small pores. The molecules travel through the pores in the gel at a speed that is inversely related to their lengths. This means that a small DNA molecule will travel a greater distance through the gel than will a larger DNA molecule.
    Transgenic organisms:
    • Modern genetic technology can be used to modify the genomes of living organisms. This process is also known as “genetic engineering.” Genes of one species can be modified, or genes can be transplanted from one species to another. Genetic engineering is made possible by recombinant DNA technology. Organisms that have altered genomes are known as transgenic. Most transgenic organisms are generated in the laboratory for research 
    Gene Splicing Graphic:
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    Genetic Technology for Humans & Agriculture

    Genetic Technology for Humans: 

    What is Human Genetic Modification (GM) ?
    Image result for genetic technology for humans picsGM the direct manipulation of the genome using molecular engineering approachs. New approachs to ?GM are known as"Gene Editing." GM can be used in several different ways: somatic genetic modification or germline genetic modification. 

    Ways to Use Genetic Technology: 
    1.)  Human cloning - human embryos or human children that are genetically identical to their living or dead parents can be made
    2.) Genetic trait selection - selection of sperm, eggs or embryos that have genes with certain desired traits. 
    3.) Genetic modification - changes and manipulation of diffferent genes in living human cells


    • Genetic technology in the area of genetic testing already exists. Many people have now had their DNA analyzed to help them understand the impact genes have on their lives. This exploraiton could be helpful in many ways. One area where there is keen interest is to develop treatments that are individualized for a person's genetic makeup. 

    Image result for genetic technology for humans and agriculture picturesGenetic Technology for Agriculture: 

    • The development of biotechnology and molecular biology have allowed us to regulate or even control plant traits, by using DNA information, like structure, function and mechanism of the plant. 
    • DNA technologies based on DNA molecular markers, transgenic technology and gene expression have shown great potential in improving both the qulaity and quantity of crops, as well as redusing crop loss to insects and adverse weather 
    • Promotion of the utilization of germplasm resources, improving breeding efficiency and stregthening the regulation of plant growth. 
    • Because of genes, you can determine the physical property of an organism
    • Gene technology - related to enhancing or removing certain qualities and characteristics of an organism's genes. Because of gene technology, there is a chance that crops yields and nutritional value can be improved
    • There is some risk with genetically modifying organisms, but these things can be maintained
    Sources:
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    Wednesday, December 12, 2018

    Designer Babies & Human Genetic Technology

    Image result for inheritable genetic modification picturesDesigner Babies:

    A Designer Baby is a baby who is genetically engineered in vitro for selected traits, which can vary from reduced risk of certain diseases to picking male/female gender. Before genetic engineering and in vitro fertilization started, designer babies just something found in a science fiction book or movie.

    Pros:

    • Help biologists understand genetics better
    • Lengthen lifespan approximately 30 years (human)
    • It might help prevent genetic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s Disease, Downs syndrome, and many other debilitating conditions
    • Reduce the risk of inherited conditions like anemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc.
    • "Enhanced" children if traits are selected
    • Genetically engineering babies are an option. For those who don't agree with the ethics of this approach, they can have their child the usual way (random).
    • Some science supports taking folate during pregnancy to lower the risk of a child developing autism. Such an approach is considered ethically acceptable.
    • The parents can genetically engineer some features of their baby, and not others.
    • The government does not have regulation regarding the means of reproduction. Thus, children can be given genes that they do not currently have.
    Cons:

    • Genetic engineers are not perfect people, and cannot evaluate 100% of every gene. 
    • If the process is not done carefully, the embryo could be accidentally terminated.
    • The technology used is not 100% safe yet. It is still considered in the experimental stage.
    • A baby cannot consent to have its body altered; therefore some do not believe it’s right as parents because do not “own” their children. The child has not chance to speak for him or herself
    • Parents may use this technology for vain purposes, they may want a blonde haired, blue eyed baby for appearance concerns only. Natural variation may be limited.
    • They could create another potential division in society. “Designer” babies would most likely be better looking, smarter, etc. This would create “classes” between designer and nondesigner babies.
    • Because the technology is so new, it is unknown whether the babies will affect the gene pool. This may cause unforeseen challenges later within the family tree.
    •  Because most people will seek out good-looking, intelligent babies with other optimum characteristics, everyone will be relatively similar.
    • This procedure is not cheap, and not everyone would be able to afford it. Could create prejudice between “Designer” and “nondesigner” babies nd or cause people to over-spend to get a babay they can't afford.

    Image result for gene technology picsHuman Genetic Technology:

    Pros:

    • defeating or elimiating diseases
    • potential for longer lifespan
      •
    • produce new foods
    Cons:
    • Is it ethical or ‘right’?
    • May lead to genetic defects
    • May limits genetic diversity
    Sources:
    https://explorebiotech.com/pros-cons-designer-baby/
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    Tuesday, December 11, 2018

    Inheritable Genetic Modification

    Image result for inheritable genetic modification picturesInheritable Genetic Modification: 

    There are two types of Inheritable Genetic Modifications(IGM): germline engineering and somatic.

    What is Germline Engineering?
     It is the change of genes in a egg or sperm cells, or in very young embryos, in order to change the traits possessed by future generations of humans, who will in turn pass them down to any children they may have.

    What is Somatic?
    Somatic is where you add genes to cells that are not the sperm cell or the egg. These genes can not be passed down to any offspring.

    Pros:
    • Traits could be selected: kids could be prettier, taller, smaller, more intellectual
    • The children could be immune to certain diseases or inherited traits
    Cons:
    • Any bad traits or diseases would be passed down to future generations
    • If anything goes wrong you won't be able to fix it because changes are irreversible
    • The implant of new genes could go wrong and create a mutation and a disease that couldn't be cured 

    SOURCES
    https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/no1.html
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