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The Age of Genetics was created by remarkable advances in the use of
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EBK CONCEPTS OF GENETICS
- Improving the nutritional value of food has long been one of the goals in agricultural genetics. Crossing different strains of plants and animals followed by generations of artificial selection have yielded some successes, including the development of high-protein maize. The use of gene transfer biotechnology has led to other advances, including the creation of nutritionally enhanced rice to combat vitamin A deficiency and blindness. Researchers are now turning their attention to the nutritional enhancement of animals that are used as food. Scientists are now turning their attention to using gene transfer technology to nutritionally enhance animal foods. Recently, biotechnology was used to produce a sheep with increased amounts of an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the development of the nervous system and, in adults, reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Once a small number of transgenic animals have been produced, they can be bred by conventional methods to establish a source of nutritionally enhanced meat and milk. The use of biotechnology is presenting consumers with many new choices, which will become more common in the future. Increasingly, we will all have to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of such decisions. On the other hand, how would you explain your preference for meat from animals without higher levels of beneficial fatty acids?arrow_forwardImproving the nutritional value of food has long been one of the goals in agricultural genetics. Crossing different strains of plants and animals followed by generations of artificial selection have yielded some successes, including the development of high-protein maize. The use of gene transfer biotechnology has led to other advances, including the creation of nutritionally enhanced rice to combat vitamin A deficiency and blindness. Researchers are now turning their attention to the nutritional enhancement of animals that are used as food. Scientists are now turning their attention to using gene transfer technology to nutritionally enhance animal foods. Recently, biotechnology was used to produce a sheep with increased amounts of an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the development of the nervous system and, in adults, reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Once a small number of transgenic animals have been produced, they can be bred by conventional methods to establish a source of nutritionally enhanced meat and milk. The use of biotechnology is presenting consumers with many new choices, which will become more common in the future. Increasingly, we will all have to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of such decisions. How would you explain your decision to eat nutritionally enhanced meat from animals modified by biotechnology?arrow_forwardGenetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used to create human growth hormone, insulin and clotting factor proteins that are used to treat dwarfism, diabetes and hemophilia respectively. Several crops such as corn and soybean have also been genetically modified in order to facilitate either the management or growth of these crops. Why do you think there is push back or opposition against the use of GM food crops but not in the use of products such as insulin, which is also created using GMOs?arrow_forward
- this is an example of biotechnology: In order to increase the yield of oil from canola, research focused on ways to reduce competition from competitor weed plants. Weeds can be controlled by spraying with a herbicide that interferes with biological processes, like amino acid anabolic reactions, in the plant cells. A mutant of canola that is resistant to herbicides is sometimes grown in fields that are sprayed with the herbicide. The majority of canola in Canada, though, is genetically modified to be resistant to herbicides. also use the link: https://youtu.be/VS3kcwgIwm0 Question: Evaluating Biotechnologies in Food Systems As we practice being able to describe choices in Biology you will use this consolidation task to organize details about the advantages and disadvantages of biotechnologies. In an ideal world, all solutions to improving our food system would have no negative consequences. But issues in Biology involve the interaction of many different factors and changes in one…arrow_forwardBriefly discuss the following concerns of Biotechnology;(i) Monoclonal antibodies technology versus gene technology for cancer treatment.(ii) Traditional plant breeding versus Gene technology: Which is the more efficient way for pesticide resistant crop production?(iii) Chemical technology versus Enzyme technology in industrial application.(iv) Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) a threat to the environment?arrow_forwardOn the following pages, you will be asked the same question seven times: "Based on what you now know, do you think we should raise genetically modified (GM) crops?" Each time, you must answer Yes or No to that question, and each time, depending on how you responded, you will be presented with a new counterargument meant to challenge your stance. Thus, this feature presents six arguments for growing GM crops and six against, but whenever you answer yes or no, you will only see one side of the argument -- the one meant to challenge your position. However, before answering the question for the seventh and final time, you will be shown all 12 arguments for and against. At that point, you may choose Yes, No, or Undecided and then see where your vote stands vis-à-vis those of others. Introduction Industry, government, and many academic scientists tout the benefits of genetically modified (GM) foods for agriculture, ecosystems, and human health and well-being, including feeding a world…arrow_forward
- In 2003, the Human Genome Project was successfully completed, determining the exact sequence of the entire human genome, which is made up of 3 billion nucleotide base pairs. The data generated from the Human Genome Project is freely available online to anyone. Many pieces of research and innovations stemmed from the HGP, allowing the identifications of 1 800 disease genes. Many of the corporations using the results from the HGP are privately funded, and research is being done for profit even though the HGP results are provided freely. State one advantage and one disadvantage of corporate funding and patenting genetic research results.arrow_forwardHumans have engaged in genetic manipulation for millennia, producing plant and animal varieties through selective breeding and hybridization that significantly modify genomes of organisms. Why do you think modern genetic engineering, which often entails introducing or modifying only one or a few genes, has met with so much opposition? Should some forms of genetic engineering be of greater concern than others? Explain.arrow_forwardGenetic engineering utilized to create food sources has been said to be both like and unlike traditional breeding. One way it is different is: It mixes genes from different individuals of the same or similar species It involves whole organisms living in the field It selects from combinations of genes that come together on their own It mixes genes of different organisms such as viruses and crops, or spiders and goatsarrow_forward
- What modern-day problem can be solved by Genetic Engineering? Explain the unique characteristics will be exhibited by the GMO that will solve the problem. Briefly describe each.arrow_forwardThink of a modern-day problem that can be solved by Genetic Engineering. Say you are the genetic engineer tasked to create a GMO to solve this problem, what unique characteristics (at least 3) will it exhibit? Describe each.arrow_forwardThe genetic modification of plants for food is a hot-button issue around the world. Genes transplanted to corn, potato, soybean, and other food strains can confer desired traits, such as resistance to pests, which lessens the need for toxic pesticides. Though genetically modified foods are thought to be safe to eat, their impact on the environment may not be fully known. Do you worry about the long-term effects of genetically modified foods on your health, or the health of the environment? Do the positive impacts outweigh the negatives?arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning