a genetic update presentation for my genetic and science and technology course class

1. Genetic engineering

2. Genetic engineering is the process of taking
genes and segments of DNA from one species
and putting them into another species, thus
breaking the species barrier and artificially
modifying the DNA of various species.

3. • These changes in DNA result in an alteration
of reproductive and hereditary processes of
the organisms since the process is irreversible
and the organism's offspring will also possess
this unique DNA (Levine).

4. • Genetic engineering can be done on any living
organism because all living organisms contain
DNA within each cell nucleus.
• Genetic engineering involves the manipulation
of DNA and the transfer of gene components
in order to encourage replication of desired
traits.

5. Process

6. 1. Determination of the gene
• it is important first to understand the
structure of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.
DNA stores the information that determines
an organism's hereditary or genetic
properties. Genetic engineering is based on
this genetic information.

7. recombinant-DNA formation, or gene
splicing.
• Genetic manipulation
• This procedure whereby segments of genetic material
from one organism are transferred to another.
• The basis of the technique lies in the use of restriction
enzymes that split DNA strands wherever certain
desired sequences of nucleotides, or specific genes,
occur.
• This desired segment of DNA is referred to as donor
DNA. The process of gene splicing results in a series of
fragments of DNA, each of which express the same
desired gene that can then combine with plasmids
(Rubenstein).

8. 3. Insertion of plasmid
• Plasmids are small, circular molecules of DNA that are
found in many bacteria.
• The bacteria act as vectors in the process of genetic
engineering. The desired gene cannot be directly
inserted into the recipient organism, or host, therefore
there must be an organism that can carry the donor
DNA into the host.
• Plasmid DNA is isolated from bacteria and its circular
structure is broken by restriction enzymes (Dworkin).
The desired donor DNA is then inserted in the plasmid,
and the circle is resealed by ligases, which are enzymes
that repair breaks in DNA strands.

9. 4. Cell replication (division)
• This reconstructed plasmid, which contains an extra gene, can
be replaced in the bacteria, where it is cloned, or duplicated,
in large numbers.
• The combined vector and donor DNA fragment constitute the
recombinant-DNA molecule. Once inside a host cell, this
molecule is replicated along with the host's DNA during cell
division.
• These divisions produce a clone of identical cells, each having
a copy of the recombinant-DNA molecule and thus
permanently changing the genetic makeup of the host
organism (Steinbrecher).
• Genetic engineering has been accomplished.

10. Types of Genetic Engineering
• Negative
• Positive

11. Negative Genetic Engineering
• Correct a genetic defect

12. Positive Genetic Engineering
• Make a life-form better.

13. Eugenics
• Eugenics- make
improvements upon
organism.

14. Genetic Therapy
Types of Genetic Therapy
• Somatic Therapy
• Germ line Therapy

15. Somatic Therapy
• Somatic therapy is a type of genetic therapy
that only affects the individual.
• Changes are not passed on to any subsequent
generations or off spring.

16. Germ line Therapy
• Germ line therapy is a type of genetic therapy
that not only affects the individual but also
the off spring.
• Changes are passed on to subsequent
generations.

17. Splicing
• Splicing is a method where genes from one organism are
“spliced” into the DNA of another organism. This is the
most common method of genetic engineering.