Deck 19: Biotechnology and Genetics

Question 1

One concern with gene therapy is:

A) it has never been used before.
B) the outcome is not predictable.
C) it has not been used to successfully treat any human diseases.
D) it is difficult to test for long-term effects in humans.

Answer 1

Gene therapy involves altering an individual's DNA to combat chronic diseases such as hereditary disease and cancer. Gene therapy is still in experimental stage of development, and therefore is used to treat disease that do not have cure. Gene therapy is successfully used extensively to treat children with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).
Therefore, all the above factors are positives outcomes of gene therapy.
Hence, the options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect.
Gene therapy is relatively new medical technology, and hence comes with its own risks and ethical concerns. The main concern with gene therapy is that it is difficult to evaluate for long term effects. The results can be obtained only through monitoring patients who are recipients of gene therapy treatments.
Hence, the correct answer is option (d).

Question 2

Ten years after the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, medical examiners have identified 60 percent of the remains collected, and they have confirmed the identity of 60 percent of the victims. Explain how forensic scientists use DNA profiling to identify the victims. Speculate why 40 percent of the victims and collected remains would still be unidentified.

Answer 2

The forensic scientists utilized deoxy ribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling technique to identify the victims of 9/11 attacks by studying at least 13 loci. The DNA samples from the remains, such as tissue fragments and bone, were compared to the DNA from family members, previously stored medical samples, and other personal items from each victim. The nature of the attached destroyed some of the DNA evidence as it was subject intense fire and heat. Also, it is humongous task to identity 2,500 victims from 21,000 remains, which explains the cause of 40% percent of victims still remaining unidentified.

Question 3

In terms of increasing food production, industrial countries are driven by market demands and profit. On the other hand, developing countries face urgent needs to alleviate poverty, hunger, and starvation. Most governments in sub-Saharan Africa have long-term policy goals to attain food self-sufficiency. Although it is acknowledged that biotechnology can help support national policy, there is still widespread resistance among Africans to incorporate biotechnology. Investigate this issue and present the benefits and drawbacks of using biotechnology to improve food production in this region.

Answer 3

The food production in Africa in negatively impacted by various factors such as rainfall shortages, infertile soil, lack of productive land, pests, and diseases.
The use of biotechnology in the form genetically modified organisms can improve food production by tacking with the above mentioned issues. With the use of genetically modified organisms food can be produced locally and this can help overcome the challenges faced with food distribution.
However, the drawbacks of using biotechnology for food production include access to technology, human safety, and long term effects on the continent's biodiversity.

Question 4

The onset of some diseases, such as Huntington disease, cancer, and familial hypercholesteremia, occurs later in life. Genetic testing is available for these diseases, allowing for the diagnosis of these adult-onset disorders before symptoms occur. What are the emotional and medical effects of a positive test for a condition that causes premature death? Is it appropriate to offer such testing if there is no cure to the fatal condition? What type of discrimination might someone with a positive diagnosis face?

Question 5

Based on the above results, can any of the suspects be excluded as the one who committed the crime?

Question 6

Do the data indicate that one of these suspects was at the crime scene and should be investigated further?

Question 7

Although the graphical data are quick to interpret, examine the graphs more closely and note the allele version of each sample listed in Table. The blood sample is outlined for you.
Table A lleles for Analyzed Gene Loci

Question 8

In Table , why are there always two numerical values for each gene locus?
Table A lleles for Analyzed Gene Loci

Question 9

Match each of these fields of biotechnology with its description or example.

Question 10

If you are the defense attorney, what are some potential sources of error you will want the jury to consider?

Question 11

Which of the following is not an application of genetic engineering in plants?

A) to improve the nutritional quality of food
B) to improve crop yields
C) to make insect-resistant crops
D) All of these are applications of genetic engineering of plants.

Question 12

If you are the prosecuting attorney, how can you make this analysis more powerful in the courtroom?

Question 13

By knowing the sequence of the entire human genome, scientists:

A) now understand how every gene functions.
B) can map all human illnesses.
C) can use this information for understanding individual genes.
D) can understand how gene therapy works.

Question 14

It is important to know how variable a particular locus is and how frequently a particular allele occurs in the population. Why would it be important to understand the frequency of the alleles?

Question 15

Match each of these biotechnology tools with its description or example.

Question 16

Plasmids that are used for genetic engineering are:

A) double-stranded DNA molecules from bacteria.
B) double-stranded RNA molecules from bacteria and viruses.
C) naturally occurring in all eukaryotes.
D) unique, single-stranded DNA molecules.

Question 17

Embryonic stem cells are a powerful research tool because:

A) they are the only source for therapeutic cloning.
B) they can be induced into any cell type.
C) they are easy to manipulate.
D) they are easy to obtain.

Question 18

Match each of the types of stem cells with its description or example.

Question 19

Which government agencies help to determine the safety and efficacy of new biotechnology products?

A) FDA
B) USDA
C) EPA
D) All of the above