Objectives• Evaluate the impact of scientific research on
the environment.• Evaluate the impact of scientific research on
society with respect to increasing food supplies.
• Explain the primary task of the Human Genome Project.
• Describe the contributions of scientists in fighting AIDS and cancer.
• Define the term gene therapy.
World Population
http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf
A typical 4 mile patch of rain forest contains as many as:
• 1,500 species of flowering plants, • 750 species of trees, • 125 mammal species, • 400 species of birds, • 100 species of reptiles, • 60 species of amphibians• 50 different species of butterflies
• Approx. 1 acre/sec
• Gone in 30 years?
• Lose more than 1,000,000 species• Biologists are working to save the
environment
Rainforests are disappearing
Conservation and preservation
• Now everyday activities • Government, industry, and
individuals.
Advances
• Crop disease resistance• Herbicide resistance• Insect resistance• Nutritional content
Understanding the Human Genome
• Genome – a compete set of the genetic material in an individual
• “Blueprint of Life”• 3 Billion units
Human Genome Project
• Began in 2000• Scientists can
now read every gene
• Just have to translate them!
Biology is important…..
• Developing new medicines• Fighting diseases
like AIDS, cancer, H1N1 flu
AIDS• Emerged in early 1980’s• Caused by HIV – human
immunodeficiency virus• Transmitted through
contaminated body fluids• Attacks and destroys the
immune system• No vaccine• No cure
Cancer• Making great
progress• “Growth Defect” –
uncontrolled cell growth
•Many cancers are preventable•Many are treatable.•Many are curable!
Emerging Diseases
• West Nile Virus
•1999•Transmitted by mosquitos
•Humans•Horses•Birds
Gene Therapy
• Replacement of an abnormal gene with a healthy gene
Muscular Distrophy
• Muscular Distrophy• Muscle degeneration
Hemophilia• Bleeding/Blood
clotting disorder
Queen Victoria
Ryan White