Bt eggplant is a genetically-modified eggplant developed by Filipino scientists. It was developed to become pest-resistance containing the gene of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which contains toxins that are lethal to some insects including the pest bollworm. Currently, it is under controversy because of a legal battle between its supporters and those who are against it. Should the government ban the production, commercialization and consumption of the said product?

Bt eggplant is a genetically-modified eggplant developed by Filipino scientists. It was developed to become pest-resistance containing the gene of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which contains toxins that are lethal to some insects including the pest bollworm. Currently, it is under controversy because of a legal battle between its supporters and those who are against it. Should the government ban the production, commercialization and consumption of the said product?

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305251052

Author:Michael Cummings

Publisher:Michael Cummings

Chapter11: Genome Alterations: Mutation And Epigenetics

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 8QP: Bruce Ames and his colleagues have pointed out that although detailed toxicological analysis has...

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When present on the leaves of plants, the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae can promote frost damage to plants. Mutant strains, lacking the “ice” gene, have been applied to plants to try and protect the plants from wild-type P. syringae-induced frost. Assume that I am telling the truth that wild-type P. syringae nucleates ice formation at -2 °C, and provide an explanation as to why application of this altered (mutant) bacterium to plants might be a beneficial agricultural strategy in areas where morning lows occasionally dip down to 28-30 °F.
Bruce Ames and his colleagues have pointed out that although detailed toxicological analysis has been conducted on synthetic chemicals, almost no information is available about the mutagenic or carcinogenic effects of the toxins produced by plants as a natural defense against fungi, insects, and animal predators. Tens of thousands of such compounds have been discovered, and he estimates that in the United States adults eat about 1.5 g of these compounds each daylevels that are approximately 10,000 times higher than those of the synthetic pesticides present in the diet. For example, cabbage contains 49 natural pesticides and metabolites, and only a few of these have been tested for their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. a. With the introduction of new foods into the U.S. diet over the last 200 years (mangoes, kiwi fruit, tomatoes, and so forth), has there been enough time for humans to develop resistance to the mutagenic effects of the toxins present in those foods? b. The natural pesticides present in plants constitute more than 99% of the toxins we eat. Should diet planning, especially for vegetarians, take into account the doses of toxins present in the diet?
The human intestinal tract is home to a vast, diverse microbial community. The bacteria that comprise this microbial community serve a number of important, beneficial functions. However, some bacterial species have been suggested to play a role in certain forms of cancer. One such bacteria is Fusobacterium nucleatum (i.e., F. nucleatum). Investigators wishing to study the role of F. nucleatum in colorectal cancer developed a new assay for detecting these bacteria in tumor tissue. In controlled experiments, the test was highly sensitive in detecting F. nucleatum and also had high specificity. To examine consistency in their test findings, the investigators also conducted repeat tests in 50 tissue samples. From these repeat tests, the investigators observed that the overall number of samples in which F. nucleatum was detected was almost identical (10 out of 50 on the first test vs. 11 out of 50 on the repeat test); for 9 samples, F. nucleatum was detected on both the initial and the…
Hookworms, parasitic nematodes transmitted through contact between bare feet and soil,infect nearly a half billion people. In the small SE Asian nation of Timor-Leste, infection rates insome regions approach 70%, and the resulting anemia from these infections has a serious impacton quality of life. Health officials are concerned by a recent rise in Ivermectin-resistant cases inthe isolated enclave of Oecussi, and are worried about these drug resistance genes spreading tothe capital Dili, 165 km away. You genotype diploid female hookworms, Ancylostoma ceylanicum,from 100 patients in each location for a neutral locus with two alleles A1 & A2.You find the following genotypic count data: A1/A1 A1/A2 A2/A2 Oecussi 36 48 16 Dili 9 42 3a. Use these data to calculate FST between these two populations. 3b. Assuming that these two populations are in drift/migration equilibrium, what is the effectivenumber of migrants moving between them each generation
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Fish and other organisms that live in the Arctic express an antifreeze protein that prevents subzerotemperatures from damaging their cells. Scientistshave generated transgenic strawberries and tomatoesthat express the fish antifreeze protein. However,neither crop has been commercialized.a. Explain the steps involved in generating the transgenic crop plants. What enables these plants tomake a fish protein?b. The reason neither crop is on the market is thatthe antifreeze protein did not produce the desiredeffect: protection of the fruits from damage in afreeze. Provide a possible hypothesis explainingwhy the fish antifreeze protein might not workin plants.
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