Module 7 Lesson 5 - 7

Lesson Summary

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This lesson discussed the processes and controversy involved in genetic engineering. You have learned about the steps needed to form recombinant DNA, including how DNA ligase is used to join the sticky ends created at the restriction site by restriction endonucleases. You have learned about various transgenic organisms and chimeras and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of these genetically altered organisms.

You have learned about the mechanisms involved in cloning and gene therapy, and you have discussed the controversy surrounding this science. Who owns DNA was one of the final topics of discussion in this unit. Many difficult social and ethical issues were raised in this lesson, and seeing what the future holds for genetic engineering will be very exciting and interesting.

You have seen how the knowledge of the human genome gained through the Human Genome Project has helped forward the areas of forensics and evolution. You have seen how gel electrophoresis is used to create DNA fingerprints unique to each individual.

By completing the lab and self-check, you applied your knowledge of DNA fingerprints to isolate "genes" responsible for specific traits, and you were able to identify twins and the biological parents of a child. You have read about the evidence for evolutionary relationships that can be obtained from nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and chloroplast DNA.

In this module, you explored one overarching question:

• Can we explain the transmission of traits at the molecular level by understanding the structure of DNA, its role in protein synthesis, and how it could mutate?

In this module, you learned about the historical events that led to the discovery of DNA and its structure. You learned how this amazingly simple and yet complicated structure can code for genetic traits, make copies of itself, and direct the synthesis of protein (the major component of so many body parts, including hormones and enzymes).

Some enzymes can clip DNA apart, and some enzymes can put it back together in new ways. You explored sources of variation and the application in various technologies. You looked at societal, medical, and ethical issues related to the field of genetic technology, which is rapidly developing many ways to alter genetic traits and treat genetic diseases.

Furthermore, you saw that DNA has the tendency to stay the same, and yet it changes. These changes are random and can result in abnormalities. They can provide a source of variability that is the basis for evolution. You saw that you can trace relationships among organisms of various species by comparing their genetic material.