Gene Therapy

Genetic Engineering

•
Direct human manipulation of an organism’s genetic
material in a way that does not occur under natural
conditions



•
2 Tools:

–
Plasmids: small circular pieces of DNA that can exit and
enter bacterial cells

–
Restriction Enzymes: chemical scissors that can cut DNA at
specific sequences


Bacteria Engineering Plants with New
Characteristics

Organism with a desired
characteristic is chosen and
the gene is located and
identified. The chromosome
is removed and the gene is
cut out (restriction enzyme)

DNA from the Cod is inserted
into cut plasmid.
(recombinant DNA molecule)

The new plasmid is exposed
to a cell culture and the
plasmid enters the
bacterium.

Bacteria are put into the
same environment as the
plant. Therefore they enter
the plant cells and
incorporate the new gene.

A new plant is produced
which now carries the gene.

Gene Therapy

Gene Therapy Possibilities

Obstacles to Gene Therapy

•
Many treatments may be necessary due to divisions

•
Not possible to control where a gene is inserted

•
Monitor body immune system

•
Virus may recover its ability to cause disease once it
is in the target cell

•
Many disorders are caused by more than one gene

•
The vector must be able to reach all or most of the
target cells


Gene Therapy Successes

•
Inherited blindness

–
Dogs

–
Childhood blindness

•
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

–
Possible to repair the gene

•
Deafness

–
Stimulate new hairs


Gene Therapy: Blindness

Genetics Rap

Questions

6.4:

4. Why are engineers interested in being able to produce large amounts of spider
silk?

5. What is Bt corn? Why would it be advantageous for a farmer to plant Bt corn
rather than regular corn?

6. Make a list of pros and cons of using recombinant DNA technology in the food
industry.

6.5:

2. What characteristics enable viruses to be used as vectors in gene therapy?

3. What are some challenges that scientists have to overcome in gene therapy?

5. Make a list of ethical considerations for using gene therapy and genetic
engineering


What are the church’s beliefs regarding genetic engineering and gene therapy?