Genetic Technologies Mind Map Project

REFERENCES

Dna Fingerpriting

Bioweaponry

Transgenic (Genetically Modified) and Organisms (focus on bacteria)

What is it?

Biological and toxin weapons are microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi, or toxic substances made by living organisms that are intentionally produced and disseminated to cause illness and death in humans, animals, or plants.

What do we use it for?

Besides military uses, biological weapons can be employed for political killings, contaminating livestock or crops to cause food scarcity and financial damage, causing environmental disasters, and spreading widespread sickness, fear, and mistrust.

How does it affect individuals genetically/medically?

The impact of a deliberate release of biological agents or toxins by state or non-state actors on individuals would be significant. This could lead to tragic loss of life, food shortages, environmental disasters, severe financial losses and widespread illness, fear, and mistrust among the general public.

"DNA Fingerprinting." Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/science/DNA-fingerprinting.

David F. Betsch, Ph.D., Biotechnology Training Programs, Inc. Edited by Glenda D. Webber, Iowa State University Office of Biotechnology. https://www.ursinus.edu/live/files/888-dna-fingerprinting-possible-follow-up-activitydoc#:~:text=DNA%20fingerprinting%20is%20used%20to,%2C%20thalassemia%2C%20and%20many%20others.

"DNA Fingerprinting." National Human Genome Research Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 9 Jan. 2023, https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/DNA-Fingerprinting.

Brazier, Yvette. "What Is Gene Therapy?" Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 12 Feb. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157973.

Pray, L. (2008) Recombinant DNA technology and transgenic animals. Nature Education 1(1):51

http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/recombinant-dna-technology-and-transgenic-animals-34513/

Phillips, T. (2008) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and recombinant DNA technology. Nature Education 1(1):213

https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732/#:~:text=Some%20benefits%20of%20genetic%20engineering,to%20the%20world's%20growing%20population.

"Your Microbes, You." National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Nov. 2012, newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/11/your-microbes-you.

"Guidance 21: Medicines Produced by Genetic Manipulation." Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Government Department of Health, 12 July 2013, www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/guidance/guidance-21-medicines-produced-genetic-manipulation.

"Bacteria for Gene Therapy." PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27814603/.

"Human Genetic Modification." Center for Genetics and Society, www.geneticsandsociety.org/topics/human-genetic-modification.

Ciftci, Kadriye, and Peter Trovitch. "Genetic Engineering and Its Applications in Medicine." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 25 Aug. 2000, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7130230/.

Patra S, Andrew AA. Human, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Human Genetic Engineering. J Biomedical Sci. 2015, 4:2. doi:10.4172/2254-609X.100014

"What Are Biological Weapons?" United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations, www.un.org/disarmament/biological-weapons/about/what-are-biological-weapons/.

"Gene Therapy." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 Dec. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gene-therapy/about/pac-20384619.

What is it?

DNA fingerprinting, a laboratory method, is used to establish the likely identity of an individual by analyzing the unique sequence of nucleotides in specific regions of their DNA.

What do we use it for?

DNA fingerprinting is utilized in a range of contexts, including criminal investigations, forensic examinations and paternity determinations. The process involves comparing and matching DNA profiles, for instance, between a known individual and an unidentified person.

How is it applied to Medicines and Gene Therapy?

DNA fingerprinting is also employed for identifying inherited genetic conditions and for identifying genetic matches between donors and recipients. It is also a useful method for verifying ancestry in animals such as purebred dogs and racehorses. Additionally, DNA fingerprinting is widely used in hospitals globally to diagnose inherited disorders in both prenatal and newborn infants. These disorders can include a range of conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, Huntington's disease, familial Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, among others.

What is it?

An organism that has undergone genetic modification through recombination of DNA from different genomes or the addition of foreign DNA is known as a transgenic organism. Bacteria, which are single-celled microorganisms present in vast numbers in various environments, both within and outside other organisms, are typically beneficial, supporting various forms of life such as plants and animals. However, some types of bacteria can cause harm.

What do we use it for?

Genetic engineering in agriculture can offer a variety of benefits such as higher crop yields, cost savings in food and drug production, reduced dependence on pesticides, improved nutrient content and food quality, increased resistance to diseases and pests, increased food security, and medical advantages for the global population. Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses can cause illness, but it's important to note that there are trillions of microorganisms living in and on our bodies that are harmless and even beneficial, aiding in digestion, fighting infections, and maintaining reproductive health.

How is it applied to Medicines and Gene Therapy?

Transgenic animals can be used in the production of medicinal products for humans, such as vaccines, antivenoms, toxins derived from bacteria, Immunoglobulins, monoclonal antibodies, and allergens.

Gene therapy can be achieved through the use of bacteria in two ways: by transfecting host cells with bacteria (bactofection) or by utilizing a prokaryotic expression system that does not modify the host genome but can be regulated or halted externally.

Genetic Engineering

Gene Therapy

What is it?

Foods that have been genetically modified (GM) have their DNA altered by incorporating genes from other plants or animals. This is achieved by taking a gene that imparts a specific trait from one plant or animal and inserting it into the cells of another plant or animal.

Human gene editing can be applied in two distinct ways, somatic genome editing which modifies the genes of a patient's cells for medical treatment, and few gene therapies are near clinical usage but still costly.

what do we use it for?

Gene therapy is a method of modifying genes to correct genetic disorders and treat or prevent genetic diseases. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, is a technique used to alter genes to enhance the abilities of an organism beyond what is considered natural.

How does it affect individuals genetically/medically?

Genetic engineering may also result in unintended consequences. Alterations in a plant or animal's genes could lead to unexpected allergic reactions in some individuals, which were not present in the original organism. Additionally, changes in an organism's genes may cause it to become toxic to humans or other organisms.

What is it?

Gene therapy is a branch of medicine that aims at modifying the genetic makeup of cells to achieve therapeutic outcomes or treating diseases by repairing or replacing malfunctioning genetic material.

What do we use it for?

Gene therapy aims to correct genetic defects by replacing a faulty gene or adding a new one to cure a disease or enhance the body's defense mechanism. It is considered a promising treatment for various diseases including cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia, and AIDS.

How is it applied to Medicines and Gene Therapy?

Gene therapy is a cutting-edge medical approach that involves delivering a functional gene to a specific tissue in the body to produce a protein that is missing or not functioning. By treating diseases at the cellular level using genes as medicine, the root cause of a disease can be targeted, potentially leading to a single treatment.

Genetic Technologies

By Vasu Sharma and Adam Hussein