BIOETHICSFIVE COMMON USES OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
1. DNA Fingerprinting – Identification technique which uses the unique segments in the DNA of each person
DNA testing at state crime lab [www.keepvid.com].mp4
(2.30mins)
Real CSI - Inside DNA - YouTube 1.0
2. Transfer of specific genes from one organism to another (GM crops)
*Review Pros And Cons
OfGM Foods
USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
3. Cloning of cells, tissues and organs (and in some cases, whole individuals) for a wide variety of organisms; includes stem cell research
REPRODUCTIVE VS THERAPEUTIC CLONINGCelebrity Sheep Died at Age 6
Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from adult DNA, was put
down by lethal injection Feb. 14, 2003. Prior to her death,
Dolly had been suffering from lung cancer and crippling
arthritis. Although most Finn Dorset sheep live to be 11 to 12
years of age, postmortem examination of Dolly seemed to
indicate that, other than her cancer and arthritis, she
appeared to be quite normal. The unnamed sheep from which
Dolly was cloned had died several years prior to her
creation. Dolly was a mother to six lambs, bred the old-
fashioned way.
Image credit: Roslin Institute Image Library
Reproductive cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another currently or previously existing animal.
Since Dolly, researchers have cloned a number of large and small animals including sheep, goats, cows, mice, pigs, cats, rabbits, and a gaur.
PRINTING BODY PARTS?THERAPEUTIC CLONING
(16.54mins)
• Replacement body parts
Bladder
Skin grafts (burn victims)
Can’t clone liver, pancreas or
Nerve cells yet
http://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney.html
VIDEO CLIP QUESTIONS
2. What organ has already been made and why was it easier to make this organ?
1. What are the 3 challenges of regenerative medicine?
3. Why is it more complicated to make an organ like the kidney?
•Biomaterials (making them/rejection problems)•Getting enough cells to grow outside of the body- much better but still can’t grow 3 types of cells:
• Liver, Pancreas and Nerve cells•Blood Supply/Vascularity to keep cells alive
CELLS THAT CAN TRANSFORM INTO ANY OF THE CELL TYPES NEEDED TO MAKE ALL THE TISSUE IN THE BODY, FROM BONE TO MUSCLE OR BLOOD.
EMBRYONICSTEM CELLS
STEM CELLS
• Stem cell research is controversial because some think it immoral to use human embryos for scientific study.
• Researchers say embryonic stem cells have the potential to unlock secrets of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimers, possibly leading to cures.
• A federal ban exists on funding some types of stem cell research.
STEM CELLS
USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
4. Genetic Counseling: Uncovering specific mutations associated with diseases (Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, Muscular Dystrophy); mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease and cancers.
Karyotype
USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
4. Genetic Counseling: Uncovering specific mutations
Pedigree Charts
• Autosomal or Sex linked?
• Dominant or Recessive?
USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
• 5. Reprogenetics:Combining reproductive technologies (IVF) with Genetic Screening (PGD)
Reproductive techniques such
as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to select embryos based on specific traits (Embryo Screening before implantation in the uterus).
USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY
5. Gene testing: when is genetic information available TOO much information? Sprinter Baby?Gene Genie?
ETHICS ENTERS THE PICTURE:HOW CAN WE USE THESE TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE OUR OWN WELL BEING AND THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, COUNTRY, PLANET? AND NOT TO HURT
OURSELVES!
SOME CORE ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Respect for persons (people are not a means to an end)
Relative harm and benefit –to people, other organisms, to the environment
Fairness (justice)AuthenticityResponsibility
CRACKING THE GENETIC CODE
INCONCEIVABLE 40.32
Before:
After:
OUR FOCUS TOPICS
Stem Cell ResearchPreimplantation diagnosis (Embryo Screening)
Designer BabiesCloning
VOCABULARY
• IVF = In Vitro Fertilization• 1978 “in glass” “Test tube baby”
• Reproductive vs Therapeutic Cloning• Genetic duplicate vs “Replacement Parts”
• Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Other Stem Cell Sources
• PGD• Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
• Reprogenetics• Combining reproductive technologies (IVF) with Genetic
Screening
PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS
THE GENETIC PROMISE; Vital Signs with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. 11/2009 (~10 min)
The video clip (approximately 10 minutes in length) explores Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis used to prevent fatal medical conditions and gender selection.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/11/27/vital.signs.genetic.promise.bk.a.cnn?iref=allsearch
STEM CELLS USED TO FIND A CURE FOR ALSStem Cell Research Goes from Lab to Operating Room (May
2010)
A man with ALS undergoes experimental stem cell treatment to help scientists find a cure for this disease.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/04/stem.cells.lou.gehrigs/index.html