Genetic Engineering
Starter
• List 3 advantages & 3 disadvantages of genetic
engineering
Learning Objectives
• List some of the advantages/disadvantages of
genetic engineering
• Describe some of the modern uses of genetic
engineering
• Explain how insulin can be produced through
genetic engineering
Modern uses of genetic engineering:
Modern uses of genetic engineering:
Finding out where
genes are expressed in
the body
Manufacturing insulin
Crops which produce a
greater yield
Crops resistant to
disease
Manufacturing Insulin
1. DNA taken from a human cell
2. Use a restriction enzyme to cut
out the gene for insulin from the DNA
3. Use a lysozyme enzyme to cut the
Plasmid out of a bacterial cell
4. Use the same restriction enzyme to cut a
section of DNA from the plasmid
5. Insert the gene for insulin into the plasmid
6. Use a ligase enzyme to join the ends of the
DNA
7. Put the plasmid with the insulin gene back
into a bacterial cell
8. Leave the bacteria to divide
Multiple copies
of the bacteria
which produces
insulin
9. Insulin is removed and purified
10. Ready for use in humans!
The process of cutting out a gene from the DNA
of one organism and inserting it into the DNA
of another is called gene splicing
Questions:
• Describe 3 reasons why bacteria are good organisms to use in
to make insulin through genetic engineering (Aii L7-8)
• Compare and contrast the process of producing insulin by
genetic engineering with the process of extracting insulin
from animals for the treatment of diabetes in humans (Dii :78)
Starter
• Match each key word with its definition:
1. Ligase enzyme
a. Used to join sections of
DNA together
2. Plasmid
b. Circular section of DNA
found in bacteria
3. Restriction enzyme
c. Used to break open a
bacterial cell so plasmid can
be removed
1. Lipozyme
d. Used to cut a section of
DNA from a longer strand
Learning Objectives
Discuss ideas for and against designer babies
Understand some of the uses and potential
problems associated with GM food production
Write a letter regarding your views on GM food
production
Designer babies
• Should we be able to...
Choose to have a girl
because a boy is likely to
have haemophilia
Select whether to
have a boy or a girl
Choose to have a boy
because the baby’s bone
marrow could be used to
save his 2 year old brother
Choose to have a girl
because a boy is likely to
be colour blind
Select the eye colour
of the baby
Choose to have a
gene added that
would improve
intelligence
GM Foods
How should you write a formal
argument?
• Formal conectives, you need to sound
professional: however, although, therefore
• Opinion words: I believe, I think, I feel, it is my
belief that
• Are you in favour of the idea or not
• Reasoning: because, since, due to
• Consider the opposite argument
Your task:
Sheffield City Council want to use some of
Silverdale’s land to start producing GM crops
and lifestock
Write a formal letter to the council explaining
your views on the matter and whether the
proposal should go ahead or not.
You need to include as many of the