BIOETHICSFIVE COMMON USES OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

1. DNA Fingerprinting – Identification technique which uses the unique segments in the DNA of each person

DNA testing at state crime lab [www.keepvid.com].mp4

(2.30mins)

Real CSI - Inside DNA - YouTube 1.0

2. Transfer of specific genes from one organism to another (GM crops)

*Review Pros And Cons

OfGM Foods

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

3. Cloning of cells, tissues and organs (and in some cases, whole individuals) for a wide variety of organisms; includes stem cell research

REPRODUCTIVE VS THERAPEUTIC CLONINGCelebrity Sheep Died at Age 6

Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from adult DNA, was put

down by lethal injection Feb. 14, 2003. Prior to her death,

Dolly had been suffering from lung cancer and crippling

arthritis. Although most Finn Dorset sheep live to be 11 to 12

years of age, postmortem examination of Dolly seemed to

indicate that, other than her cancer and arthritis, she

appeared to be quite normal. The unnamed sheep from which

Dolly was cloned had died several years prior to her

creation. Dolly was a mother to six lambs, bred the old-

fashioned way.

Image credit: Roslin Institute Image Library

Reproductive cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another currently or previously existing animal.

Since Dolly, researchers have cloned a number of large and small animals including sheep, goats, cows, mice, pigs, cats, rabbits, and a gaur.

PRINTING BODY PARTS?THERAPEUTIC CLONING

(16.54mins)

• Replacement body parts

Bladder

Skin grafts (burn victims)

Can’t clone liver, pancreas or

Nerve cells yet

http://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney.html

VIDEO CLIP QUESTIONS

2. What organ has already been made and why was it easier to make this organ?

1. What are the 3 challenges of regenerative medicine?

3. Why is it more complicated to make an organ like the kidney?

•Biomaterials (making them/rejection problems)•Getting enough cells to grow outside of the body- much better but still can’t grow 3 types of cells:

• Liver, Pancreas and Nerve cells•Blood Supply/Vascularity to keep cells alive

CELLS THAT CAN TRANSFORM INTO ANY OF THE CELL TYPES NEEDED TO MAKE ALL THE TISSUE IN THE BODY, FROM BONE TO MUSCLE OR BLOOD.

EMBRYONICSTEM CELLS

STEM CELLS

• Stem cell research is controversial because some think it immoral to use human embryos for scientific study.

• Researchers say embryonic stem cells have the potential to unlock secrets of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimers, possibly leading to cures.

• A federal ban exists on funding some types of stem cell research.

STEM CELLS

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

4. Genetic Counseling: Uncovering specific mutations associated with diseases (Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, Muscular Dystrophy); mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease and cancers.

Karyotype

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

4. Genetic Counseling: Uncovering specific mutations

Pedigree Charts

• Autosomal or Sex linked?

• Dominant or Recessive?

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

• 5. Reprogenetics:Combining reproductive technologies (IVF) with Genetic Screening (PGD)

Reproductive techniques such

as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to select embryos based on specific traits (Embryo Screening before implantation in the uterus).

USE OF DNA TECHNOLOGY

5. Gene testing: when is genetic information available TOO much information? Sprinter Baby?Gene Genie?

ETHICS ENTERS THE PICTURE:HOW CAN WE USE THESE TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE OUR OWN WELL BEING AND THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, COUNTRY, PLANET? AND NOT TO HURT

OURSELVES!

SOME CORE ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Respect for persons (people are not a means to an end)

Relative harm and benefit –to people, other organisms, to the environment

Fairness (justice)AuthenticityResponsibility

CRACKING THE GENETIC CODE

INCONCEIVABLE 40.32

Before:

After:

OUR FOCUS TOPICS

Stem Cell ResearchPreimplantation diagnosis (Embryo Screening)

Designer BabiesCloning

VOCABULARY

• IVF = In Vitro Fertilization• 1978 “in glass” “Test tube baby”

• Reproductive vs Therapeutic Cloning• Genetic duplicate vs “Replacement Parts”

• Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Other Stem Cell Sources

• PGD• Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis

• Reprogenetics• Combining reproductive technologies (IVF) with Genetic

Screening

PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS

 

THE GENETIC PROMISE; Vital Signs with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. 11/2009 (~10 min)

The video clip (approximately 10 minutes in length) explores Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis used to prevent fatal medical conditions and gender selection.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/11/27/vital.signs.genetic.promise.bk.a.cnn?iref=allsearch

STEM CELLS USED TO FIND A CURE FOR ALSStem Cell Research Goes from Lab to Operating Room (May

2010)

A man with ALS undergoes experimental stem cell treatment to help scientists find a cure for this disease.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/04/stem.cells.lou.gehrigs/index.html