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The Age of Genetics was created by remarkable advances in the use of
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Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
- Improving the nutritional value of food has long been one of the goals in agricultural genetics. Crossing different strains of plants and animals followed by generations of artificial selection have yielded some successes, including the development of high-protein maize. The use of gene transfer biotechnology has led to other advances, including the creation of nutritionally enhanced rice to combat vitamin A deficiency and blindness. Researchers are now turning their attention to the nutritional enhancement of animals that are used as food. Scientists are now turning their attention to using gene transfer technology to nutritionally enhance animal foods. Recently, biotechnology was used to produce a sheep with increased amounts of an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the development of the nervous system and, in adults, reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Once a small number of transgenic animals have been produced, they can be bred by conventional methods to establish a source of nutritionally enhanced meat and milk. The use of biotechnology is presenting consumers with many new choices, which will become more common in the future. Increasingly, we will all have to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of such decisions. On the other hand, how would you explain your preference for meat from animals without higher levels of beneficial fatty acids?arrow_forwardImproving the nutritional value of food has long been one of the goals in agricultural genetics. Crossing different strains of plants and animals followed by generations of artificial selection have yielded some successes, including the development of high-protein maize. The use of gene transfer biotechnology has led to other advances, including the creation of nutritionally enhanced rice to combat vitamin A deficiency and blindness. Researchers are now turning their attention to the nutritional enhancement of animals that are used as food. Scientists are now turning their attention to using gene transfer technology to nutritionally enhance animal foods. Recently, biotechnology was used to produce a sheep with increased amounts of an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the development of the nervous system and, in adults, reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Once a small number of transgenic animals have been produced, they can be bred by conventional methods to establish a source of nutritionally enhanced meat and milk. The use of biotechnology is presenting consumers with many new choices, which will become more common in the future. Increasingly, we will all have to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of such decisions. How would you explain your decision to eat nutritionally enhanced meat from animals modified by biotechnology?arrow_forwardGenetic engineering utilized to create food sources has been said to be both like and unlike traditional breeding. One way it is different is: It mixes genes from different individuals of the same or similar species It involves whole organisms living in the field It selects from combinations of genes that come together on their own It mixes genes of different organisms such as viruses and crops, or spiders and goatsarrow_forward
- In addition to physical traits, gene sequences can be used when comparing related species. Instead of looking for the presence or absence of a specific gene, you would look at the percent similarity between the same gene in two or more species. Therefore, it is important to select a gene that contains a similar DNA gene sequence in each of the species being compared. Certain genes are involved in processes that are required for basic cellular function. As these processes are critical to cell function, the genes that regulate them are highly conserved, meaning that they have remained essentially unchanged over time. Glycolysis is one such process that is critical for cellular metabolism. Glycolysis involves converting glucose into pyruvate in order to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Because glycolysis is an essential process for all species, the genes involved are therefore highly conserved. You will be looking at similarities among different taxa of the highly conserved…arrow_forwardRecently, scientists have identified a mutation that is found at high frequency in Finnish populations, located in northern Europe where the winter is very cold. This mutation is believed to be a “cold sensitive” allele that warns people of extreme cold temperatures. Could this allele have undergone a “selective sweep”, if it had suddenly appeared in this northern population of humans? How would such a selective sweep be detected with genome data?arrow_forwardAre the following examples a description of genetics at the molecular, cellular, organismal, or populational level? A. People with cystic fibrosis have lung problems due to a buildup of mucus in their lungs B. The mutant CF gene encodes a chloride transporter that doesn't transport chloride ions very well. C. A defect in the chloride transporter causes a salt imbalance in lung cells.arrow_forward
- What is the downside of artificial selection as a form of genetic engineering? What is its upside?arrow_forwardYou are discussing with some of your bio major friends who have not taken Genetics and your non-bio major friends about how characteristics such as blue eye, light skin pigmentation, and light hair color, derived from a mutation that occurred about 10,000 years ago in Europe. Your friends are not very happy that you used the word mutation to describe the origin of human characteristics associated with light pigmentation. At that moment you only recall that green eye, fair skin and red hair in Neanderthals was due to other alleles and you mention that to them as an example of genetic determinants in species of the genus Homo. They are not convinced of your choice of the word mutation. Then you remember part of one of the papers that you read for Minicourse 5 regarding the OCA2 allele. “OCA2, homologous to the mouse pink-eyed dilution gene, encodes the human protein P, an integral membrane protein involved in both the transport of tyrosine and that helps in the regulation of…arrow_forwardWhy might the genomic analysis of dogs be particularly useful for investigating the genes responsible for body size and other physical characteristics?arrow_forward
- Consider Mendelian traits versus polygenic traits. What impact do modifications, such as those offered by CRISPR and genetic testing, have on the generational lineage of these traits?Are some traits (e.g., susceptibility to Sickle Cell Anemia) worth removing from our genome? Support your position.arrow_forwardSome critics have warned that the use of gene therapy to correct genetic disorders will affect the course of human evolution. Evaluate this criticism in light of what you know about population genetics and evolution, distinguishing between somatic gene therapy and germ-line gene therapy.arrow_forwardHow will you picture out the field of genetics will develop further in the future based on what has been achieved so far? Example of points to tackle: the rate of scientific and technological development limitations to what we should or should not do potential limitations of new applications from genetic discoveries how we understand the environment and ourselvesarrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning