Biotechnology Elective: Unit Outline
EARLY BIOTECHNOLOGY……………………………………(2 weeks)
 Defining Biotechnology
 History and timeline of advances in the field
 Examples of early biotechnology (prior to 1953)
MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY…………………………...……(8 weeks)
 DNA Review (1 week)

Structure and function of DNA

What genes

DNA transcription and translation

Protein synthesis

Tools, Terms and Techniques of DNA Technology (2 weeks)

Recombinant DNA Technology

Genetic Engineering

Cloning a Gene

Electrophoresis and PCR

Biotechnology for Diagnosis (1 week)

DNA Fingerprints and Paternity tests

Pregnancy Tests

HIV Tests

Genetic Testing

Prenatal screening (PGD)

Engineering Super Crops (2 week)

Genetic engineering of plants

GM Food versus organic food

Future of GM food

How to Clone an Animal (1 week)

Animal cloning methods

Animal cloning to present

Reproductive cloning versus therapeutic cloning

Biotechnology Elective: Unit Outline

Arguments for and against human cloning

Stem Cell Research (1 week)

Stem cells

Totipotent and pluripotent cells

Potential of stem cells

Controversy behind stem cell research
THE FUTURE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY………………..…….... (1 week)

Tissue Engineering

Designer Babies

Gene therapy
Total course time= 11 weeks + 1 final exam on the 12 th week