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Fatimah .R., Inthuja .J. & Gowshia .V.Genetic Engineering

OverviewIntroduction to Genetic EngineeringApplications Safety and Ethical IssuesBranches of Science Uses of this technology by professionsUniversities/ Courses/ Requirements

What is Genetic Engineering?Directly manipulating/altering the structure and characteristics of genes using molecular cloning & transformationDifferent from normal breeding genes manipulated indirectly

Agricultural ApplicationsGoes back 100 years Today, scientist use recombinant DNA technologyFirst food made by recombinant DNA technology Flavr Savr Tomatoes (1994)60% of foods are genetically modifiedSolution to world hunger

Human & Medical ApplicationsProduction of InsulinGenetic Screening/TestingGene TherapyProduction of experimental mice, oncomouse (cancer mouse)Vaccine

Cloning and Stem CellsClone created from one cell not sex cell Cloning process of creating an identical copy of an original (Example: Identical Twins)Stem cells (master cells) can develop into any tissue Cure their own disease or build new organs NO REJECTION

Ethics Involving Genetic EngineeringEthical issues concerning human beings and animals - Are we playing God? - Religions beliefs- Creates new viruses - Designer Babies

Genetic Engineering and Plants - Effects on our Environment- Long run effects on environment Ethics Involving Genetic Engineering

Branches of sciences needed to study the technologyGeneticsMedicineBiology/ChemistryBiochemistryMicrobiologyChemical Engineering

What professions use this technology?Microbiologist Laboratory technicianResearch assistantLecturer or professorChief Executive Officer of a biotech companyPostdoctoral research associateGenetic Engineer Research ScientistBiotechnologist

Courses offered at UniversitiesUniversity of Toronto Human Biology ProgramGenes, genetic and biotechnology specialities program York UniversityBiotechnology ProgramRequirements Grade 12 Chemistry, Calculus and Advanced Functions Grade 12 Physics is highly recommendedOther Requirements team worker, honest, creative, has problem solving skills

SummaryGenetic engineering is direct manipulation of an organisms genesMost common uses of genetic engineering are in medicine A very controversial topic considering the ethical issuesVariety of sciences are incorporated into this engineering Many professions use this technology

Reference ListCareer Details forBiotechnologist. (n.d.). December 14, 2008, .Engdahl, Sylvia, ed. Genetic Engineering. Bonnie Szumski, 2006."Genetic Engineering" Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Library Edition. 13Dec.2008.Genetic Engineering." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 12 Dec. 2008, .Genetic Engineering Research Scientist Job Description, Career as a Genetic Engineering Research Scientist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. December 14, 2008, .Heaf, D. (2004, January 25). Becoming a Genetic Engineer. December 14, 2008, "Human's Playground: Genetic Engineering." Think quest. 11 Dec. 2008 .MacDonald Glenn, Linda. "Bio Med Law." 13 Dec. 2008,.MacDonald Glenn, Linda. "Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenic." Actionbioscience.org. American Institute of Biological Sciences. 13 Dec. 2008 . McLeish, Ewan. Genetic Revolution. New York: Stargazer Books, 2006.Wilson, R. (2006, July 19). Human Biology at the University of Toronto. December 14, 2008, .York University - Biology Undergraduate - Biotechnology. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2008, .

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