Exam 22: Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Many instances involving genetically modified organisms,especially food crops,will be entering the human food chain in the years to come.On what basis are genetically modified foods considered safe to eat?

Alleles that differ by as little as a single nucleotide can be distinguished by synthetic probes known as ________.

Biotechnology has yet to produce a single useful product for a human health condition.

Once DNA is separated on a gel,it is often desirable to gain some idea of its informational content.How might this be done?

Drosophila is a unique candidate for genetic engineering because it is the one prokaryote about which we have a great deal of genetic information.

In the past decades,direct-to-consumer (DTC)genetic tests have become widespread.Are such tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration?

Under strictly controlled conditions,a probe can be used that will hybridize only with its complementary sequence and not with other sequences that may vary by as little as one nucleotide.What are such probes called?

Can human genes be patented?

A term often used to describe an organism that is a genetic mosaic,resulting from the introduction of DNA from another organism,is ________.

How are gene therapy and recombinant DNA technology related?

What process is effectively the true test of the functionally synthetic genome?

The Genetic Testing Registry is designed to restrict public access to a variety of genetic processes.

Describe,in general terms,the aims of gene therapy.

What term is used to describe the new field engaged to producing more specific,effective and personally customized drugs?

Prenatal detection of human diseases has been greatly enhanced by two procedures.Name and briefly describe each.

Name at least three applications for examining sequence variants such as RFLPs.

What is an allele-specific oligonucleotide?

Rational drug design involves the synthesis of specific chemical substances that affect specific gene products.

There is a fear that preconception genetic testing may lead to "designer babies." What historical practice comes to mind regarding the production of such babies?

Genes in their natural state cannot be patented.This policy allows research and use of natural products for the common good.What argument might be presented in favor of patenting genes or gene products?