Question

Research Questions for Student Groups Each student group will be assigned one of the topics below to research in some detail and prepare a short, -minute PowerPoint presentation on it. Th ey will then use their PowerPoint presentation to explain the topic to their fellow students at the next class period. . Provide a brief overview of recombinant DNA technology. What are restriction enzymes? What are plasmids? . Who are Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer and what was their role in the development of recombinant DNA technology? What was the Asilomar conference on recombinant DNA? What was the conclusion of the conference? . What is Agrobacterium tumefacians? What is the role of this organism in production of transgenic plants? What are some current and potential applications of transgenic plants? . Certain government agencies play a role in regulation of the production of genetically modifi ed plants. What are the roles of the governmental agencies, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), and APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) in permitting the development and growth of transgenic plants? . What is Bt protein? How does it act on insects? Why is it considered “safe” for ingestion by humans and animals? . What is an ELISA? Compare a direct versus an indirect ELISA. Provide examples of things an ELISA procedure can be used to detect. How can an ELISA be used in identifying Bt corn? . What is Bacillus thuringiensis? How is it related to other species of bacteria? Talk about the microbiology of this bacterium. Do the same for Streptomyces hygroscopicus. . What is an allergen? What are the most common food allergies? Give an overview of the typical reaction(s) to a food allergen by humans. What is anaphylactic shock? How can an allergen lead to development of anaphylactic shock? . “Genetically modifi ed organisms contain genes obtained from other species, but the procedures used to produce these GMOs are closely regulated by companies, universities, the state and federal government, and scientists themselves.” Th is statement is from the letter written to the editor of the newspaper. How “closely” are GMOs regulated? What are the procedures used by companies, universities, and scientists to regulate production and distribution of GMOs? Compare these to those by state and federal agencies (see Question  above). . Consider the economic and health benefi ts of GMOs, both realized and potential. At what point would current and potential future benefi ts outweigh the risks? Relate the development of GMOs to other historical developments in biology that were “controversial” at the time (e.g., vaccination) and current “controversial” developments (e.g., embryonic stem cells). . Genetically modifi ed animals as well as plants have been produced. Give an overview of the techniques for producing transgenic animals. What are some of the potential applications of genetically modifi ed animals? . If someone is particularly interested in the legal aspects of GMOs, then the following might be appropriate questions to consider as part of a presentation. Why did the lawyers for the Linder family choose to pursue a civil rather than a criminal case? Consider levels of evidence required in civil versus criminal cases to obtain a decision of guilt or innocence. Should criminal charges be considered in this case? What is criminal negligence?

Answer 1

History of Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA technology is one of the recent advances in biotechnology, which was developed by two scientists named Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1973.

Definition:

Recombinant DNA technology is the joining together of DNA molecules from two different species. The recombined DNA molecule is inserted into a host organism to produce new genetic combinations that are of value to science, medicine, agriculture, and industry.

Principles of recombinant DNA Technology:

1. DNA is inserted into another DNA molecule called vector.

2. The recombinant vector is then introduced into a host cell where it replicates itself, the gene is then produced.

Plasmids:

Bacteria contain extra chromosomal molecules of DNA called plasmids which are circular. Plasmids are found in many bacterial species and can be transferred from one organism to another within a species by conjugation, resulting in transformation of the recipient cell.

Restriction Enzymes:

Restriction enzymes are DNA-cutting enzymes. Each enzyme recognizes one or a few target sequences and cuts DNA at or near those sequences. These are primarly found in bacteria and are given abbreviation based on genus and species of bacteria. Restriction enzymes are one class of the broader endonuclease group of enzymes

The Asilomar Conference

The Asilomar conference on Recombinant DNA was an influential conference organized by Paul Berg to discuss the potential biohazards and regulation of biotechnology, held in February 1975 at a conference center at Asilomar State Beach. A group of about 140 professionals primarily biologists, but also including lawyers and physicians participated in the conference to draw up voluntary guidelines to ensure the safety of recombinant DNA technology.