Today:Genetically Modifying Organisms

(see textbook section 38.3)

Exam #4 W 5/5(bring cheat sheet)

Q&A T 5/4 from 4-6pm in WEL 2.224

Human resource production and use

http://www.earth-policy.org/Indicators/Grain/2006.htm

Worldwide Grain Production per Person

http://www.earth-policy.org/Indicators/Grain/2006.htm

Land use in USA, 1997

from Teosinte MaizeBy artificial selection that began ~10,000 years ago.

Fig 38.16

Artificial Selection

Hunter-Gatherer

Agricultural

Industrial

Genetic Engineering: Direct manipulation of DNA

Fig 20.2

We can now insert new genes or modify existing genes of organisms

Genetically modified plants

Agrobacterium infect plants, inserting some of their DNA into the plants genome and forming a gall.

Fig 20.25

Agrobacterium infect plants, inserting some of their DNA into the plants genome.

After inserting a gene into the Agrobacteria, they will insert that gene into the plant's DNA.

Fig 20.25

Global area planted with GM crops

http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/257.global_gm_planting_2006.html

And http://www.monsanto.com.au/_images/global_area_chart.gif

Texas=70ha

The agricultural release of genetically modified plants is the largest scale

experiment that has ever been performed.

Why Change a Plant’s DNA?

•Can change plant so that it has new or different characteristicsStress resistance (cold, drought, disease...)Insect resistance (Bt toxin)Herbicide resistance (Round-up)

% of T

otal US

A

cres

Common GM Crops in the U.S.

http://blog.wired.com/

wiredscience/2007/09/

monsanto-is-hap.html

Why Change a Plant’s DNA?

•Can change plant so that it has new or different characteristicsStress resistance (cold, drought, disease...)Insect resistance (Bt toxin)Herbicide resistance (Round-up)

Have GMO's been beneficial, and what are the risks?

more precise application vs unintended release

Human impacts:

Dead zone in Gulf of

Mexico from

Mississippi River

http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/06/despite_promises_to_fix_it_the.html

Pollen is easily transferred from plant to plant, and to related species.

GM crops illegal

GM crops found in Oaxaca and other MX states

Genetic information moves.

GM crops illegal

GM crops found in Oaxaca and other MX states

Genetic information moves, and is self-replicating.

Monsanto's is one of the largest sellers of GMO's

Monsanto Stock price

http://research.scottrade.com/public/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp

Monsanto, and other makers of GMO's, protect their product by patents...

Monsanto Stock price

http://research.scottrade.com/public/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp

Domesticated animals have also been genetically modified:

•Atryn- antithrombin protein produced in transgenic goats (in milk) has anti-clotting properties

Have GMO's been beneficial, and what are the risks?

… It's complicated.

We have genetically modified both plants and domesticated animals...What about humans?

Fig 20.22

Using viruses to add genes to humans

As with computer technology, the plunging cost of DNA sequencing has opened new applications in science and medicine.Graph: ADAPTED FROM GRAPH PROVIDED BY JEFFREY SCHLOSS/NHGRIGENE SEQUENCING: The Race for the $1000 Genome (17 March 2006) R Service Science 311:1544 - 1546

The material cost will soon be ~$1,000 to sequence a complete human genome at a consumer cost of ~$5,000http://www.nature.com/news/2008/081006/full/news.2008.1151.html

How close are we to picking our offspring?

Karyomapping is a new technique developed at a British fertility clinic can test for 15,000 known genetic disorders. It takes DNA from 8-day-old in vitro fertilized embryos as well as from the parents and possibly other relatives.The test costs ~$2,300.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7688299.stm

How close are we to picking our offspring?

“…the test could also be used, more controversially, to detect a genetic profile which showed a susceptibility to conditions such as heart disease or cancer.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7688299.stm

When does picking the ‘best’ become choosing traits?

Sex ratio in China, est. 2008

at birth: 1.11 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

Compare to U.S. at birth 1.05 male(s)/femalehttp://www.indexmundi.com/china/demographics_profile.html

When does picking the ‘best’ become choosing traits?

What ‘abnormality’ might a parent choose?

One study found that each inch above average may be worth $789 more in salary per year.

Journal of Applied Psychology T. Judge and D. Cable (Vol. 89, No. 3).

Hunter-Gatherer

Agricultural

Industrial

Exam #4 W 5/5(bring cheat sheet)

Q&A T 5/4 from 4-6pm in WEL 2.224