Manipulating Genetic Transfer (A.S. 91607 (Bio 3.7 Int) Human )

To succeed you need to "Demonstrate comprehensive understanding involving linking biological ideas about human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications. The linking of ideas may involve justifying, relating, evaluating, comparing and contrasting, and analysing."

-------------------------------

Human manipulations of genetic transfer - sounds complicated .... some of the processes are - but the reality is we've been doing this for literally 1000's of years. Well some manipulations .... others are more recent developments. So what will you be talking about ....

• Selective breeding - this we have been doing for 1000's of years - where have our crop plants and domestic animals come from?? This could involve things like animal and plant breeding, development of new crops (all ancient tech) and more recently embryo selection.

• Whole organism cloning - we've been cloning plants for almost as long as we've been doing selective breeding of plants. Animal cloning has been more recent - but "simpler" animals have been cloned for over 100 years - its mammal cloning that has made the headlines more recently.

• Transgenesis -  Now this is more recent stuff = putting genes from one species into the genome of another. So if we put animal genes into plants are we still being vegetarian if we eat those plants? This is some of the GE stuff that some are worried about - but if we weren't doing this how would we get the insulin (as just one example) we need for diabetics.

• Investigation and modification of the expression of existing genes - This is where we turn genes on or off, or make changes to what they actually do. Could be the way to a cure of many genetic conditions and the way to a pest free NZ. Still classed GE but as it remains within the original species is it still bad?

-------------------------------

Biological implications is where you look at how the above manipulations can have an impact on ...

• Ecosystems - What happens when/if manipulated organisms 'escape' into the natural ecosystems?

• Genetic biodiversity - What happens to this with regard to the above manipulations?

• Health or survival of individuals - Is it 'good' for the organisms being manipulated and/or us?

• Survival of populations - What long term effects do these manipulations have on both the modified and original populations?

• Evolution of populations - What long term effects do these manipulations have on both the modified and original populations?

(Learn)

Now there are 2 versions of this assessment - you only need to choose 1. But read through them both and choose which one interests you more. They are slightly different ie one is a written report style and the other is to be written as if it was to be delivered as a speech. You don't have to deliver the speech - but some students who are taking English have used it as the speech for English.

One is "Selective Breeding and Mammal Cloning" the other is Selective Breeding vs Transgenesis."

Here they are have a read - then choose - Which one "excites" you the most? Then let your teacher know which one you are going to be doing. (Share)

Now lets look at some information that will be useful to help you complete this assessment.

 Remember this is just the starting place for your research journey. 

And don't forget the CRAP test. (Learn)

Both of these assessments look at Selective Breeding (sometimes called Artificial Selection) which is basically where humans have decided who gets to breed with who. Choosing the individuals with the most desirable characteristics eg most milk produced for cows, or most meat, or most eggs in chickens etc.

Humans have been doing this for 1000's of years - think of all the domestic animals and food crops we have today - where have they come from?

Lets have a look at what Selective Breeding is all about - here are some video clips and some other resources to get you started. (Learn)

So now we have to get into what's inside of us all - the actual manipulation of our genes and DNA - here is some information about the more general techniques used whenever people start "messing with nature".

Lets have a look at what DNA/Genetic manipulation is all about - here are some video clips and some other resources to get you started.

We'll begin with the manipulation of DNA. (Learn)

So now for Gene Manipulation.

Transgenesis is far newer technology than Selective Breeding. With much more stuff going on inside the cells - so what exactly is it? 

Lets have a look at what Transgenesis is all about - here are some video clips and some other resources to get you started.(Learn)

It used to just be the realm of Sci Fi but now Cloning is used far more commonly than you might think.

Lets have a look at what Cloning is all about - here are some video clips and some other resources to get you started. There is far more than simply .... "Hello Dolly". (Learn)

So there is a LOT of stuff here .... but this is just your starting place = more is being discovered every day = what there is here is now "old" news. Go see what you can find that is up to date. (Learn)

After you have found all your new information and put it together in your report or "speech" use the following to check that you are on the right track. 

Then when you think you are ready and before the deadline hand it in for marking. (Share)