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VELS VIDYASHRAM SENIOR

SECONDARY
SCHOOL

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT IN
BIOLOGY

GENETIC ENGINEERING- A GLANCE AT ITS


LATEST APPLICATIONS

PREPARED BY:
DIVYA DHARSHINI.U
CLASS: XII
A

SECTION:

ROLL NO.:
12104

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that DIVYA DHARSHINI.U of


Class XII Sec.-A has satisfactorily completed
the project work in Biology prescribed by the
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
for the year 2015-2016.

Signature of the
teacher:

Acknowledgemen
t
I would like to sincerely and profusely
thank Mrs. KUMUDHA madam for the
valuable guidance, advice and for giving
useful suggestions and relevant ideas that
facilitate an easy and early completion of
this project.
And would also like to thank my parents
and my friends for helping me with my
project with every possible help they could
get me.

INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS A GENE?
A Gene is a fundamental, physical and functional unit of
heredity. It is responsible for the physical and inheritable
characteristics of an organism.

Genetic Engineering
It is manipulation/alteration of structure of a gene to
create a desired characteristic in an organism. If genetic
material from another species is added to the host, the
resulting organism is called transgenic.

Humans have altered the genomes of species for


thousands of years through artificial selection and more
recently mutagenesis.

AIM
This project seeks to focus on study of
some

most

promising

biotechnological applications...

areas

of

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS


Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are
organism whose genetic material

has

been

altered

using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques,


generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use
DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined
into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is
then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel
genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are
organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a
different species.

What is the GMO process?

All genetic changes affect the protein synthesis of the


organism.

By changing which proteins are produced, genetic


engineers can affect the overall traits of the organism.
Genetic modification can be completed by a number of
different methods as below:
Inserting new genetic material randomly or in
targeted

locations

Direct replacement of genes (recombination)


Removal of genes
Mutation of existing genes

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GMO?


Modified to make them more resistant to
unfavorable conditions
Produce higher yields
Use less fertilizers
Use lesser water
Pest resistance

Herbicide tolerance
Increasing food supplies in co-relation with an
increasing world population.

Genetically Modified microbes


Bacteria were the first organisms to be modified in the
laboratory, due to their simple genetics. They synthesize
products such as;
Insulin
Hepatitis B vaccine

Tissue plasminogen activator


Human growth hormone
Ice-minus bacteria
Interferons
In 2004, researchers reported that a genetically-modified
virus that exploits the selfish behaviour of cancer cells might
offer an alternative way of killing tumours.

Genetically modified virus and bacteria

Genetically Modified Crops


Transgenic plants have been engineered to possess several
desirable traits, such as
Insect

resistant

Herbicide resistant
Drought/freeze resistant
Disease resistant
Higher yield
Faster growth
Improved nutrition
Longer shelf life

Golden Rice is a transgenic variety of rice, with genes for


the synthesis of b-carotene taken from the temperate
garden favourite Narcissus pseudonarcissus (daffodil) and
inserted into the genome of a temperate strain of rice,
using Agrobacterium tumefaciens as the vector.

GOLDEN RICE
WITH BETA
CAROTENE

Genetically modified Rose

Banana Vaccines

Modified virus injected in sapling tree causes the


bananas to contain virus proteins.

Venomous Cabbage

Scorpion genes added to the cabbage prevent


insects from eating it.

Transgenic Animals
Genetically Modified (Genetically Engineered) animals are
becoming more vital to the discovery and development of
cures and treatments for many serious diseases. By altering
the DNA or transferring DNA to an animal, we can develop
certain proteins that may be used in medical treatment.

Stable expressions of human proteins have been developed


in many animals, including sheep, pigs, and rats.

The Glow Fish, a fluorescent red zebra fish sold as


a novel pet, has become the first transgenic animal.

Salmon DNA altered where fish grow to maturity in half the


time.

Fast-Growing Salmon
Genes from two other
fish cause this salmon to
continually produce growth
hormones.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED RATS


Uses:
Protein

tracking
Disease detection using bioluminescent
imaging (BLI) to identify different types of
cells

Some Hybrid Animals in study..

GENETIC ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE


Genetic engineering is becoming a major force in
conventional medicine. It has got numerous applications in
medicine ranging from vaccines to transgenic organ
transplants.
a) The Artificial Blood
The artificial blood is a genetically engineered form of
hemoglobin, the complicated protein that enclosed in red

blood cells--carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues


throughout the body. An artificial blood also would virtually
eliminate the risk of contracting AIDS, hepatitis and other
viral diseases through transfusions. Development of
emulsion technologies resulted in the production of
compounds which utilized smaller chain perfluorocarbon
molecules to more effectively emulsify the perfluorocarbons,
allowing higher concentrations of active agent in the
emulsion and thus higher oxygen carrying capabilities.

Artificial Haemoglobin

b) Cloned Pigs Modified for Use in Human Transplants


Two competing teams have cloned pigs that have been
genetically modified to produce organs more suitable for
transplantation into humans.
Pig organs are well suited for transplantation. They are
approximately the same size as human organs and have
similar plumbing, which makes reconnecting blood vessels
much easier. Also, the size of pig litters tends to be large
and pigs reproduce quickly, raising the prospect of a large
supply of "spare" organs. A problem with using pig organs,
however, is that they are coated with sugar molecules that
trigger acute rejection in people. Human antibodies attach
themselves to these sugar molecules and quickly destroy
the newly transplanted pig organ. To circumvent the
rejection, scientists are working to produce pigs that lack the
sugar-producing gene.

c) Genetically Engineered FSH


FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and directly
stimulates the ovaries to recruit and support ovarian
follicles, each containing one egg. The hypothalamus
adjusts the production of FSH depending upon the levels of
other hormones such as estrogen.

FSH is used in stimulated IUI and assisted reproductive


technology cycles (IVF) because it causes the development
of numerous follicles. There are several FSH products
available in the United States including, Gonal-F, Bravelle,
and Repronex. Follistim and Gonal-F are produced by
genetic engineering using mammalian culture cells. These
products are identical to the bodys FSH. Bravelle and
Repronex are derived from the urine of postmenopausal
women.

CONCLUSION
We have discussed the promising aspects of Genetic
Engineering that can bring about tremendous changes in
human life. However the manipulation of living organisms by
the human race cannot go on any further without regulation.
Some ethical standards are required to evaluate the
morality of all human activities that might help or harm living
organisms. Going beyond the morality of such issues the
biological significance of such things is also important.
Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable
results when such organisms are introduced into the
ecosystem.

Every new technology aims to improve mans life.


It is for man to make the judicious use of its
applications

BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.encyclopedia.com

www.wikipedia.com

Lancet magazine(July2011
issue)

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