Genetic technology

Principles of Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNASign up

know how drugs can be produced using genetically modified organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms) · understand how recombinant DNA can be produced, including the roles of restriction endonucleases and DNA ligase · understand how recombinant DNA can be inserted into other cells · understand the risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified organisms

Amplifying and Separating DNA: PCR and Gel ElectrophoresisSign up

know how DNA can be amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) · know how gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments of different length · understand how DNA profiling is used for identification and determining genetic relationships between organisms (plants and animals)

Analysing Genomes: Microarrays and Bioinformatics DatabasesSign up

know how microarrays can be used to identify active genes · understand the term bioinformatics

Genetic Technology in Medicine: Recombinant Proteins and Gene TherapySign up

explain the advantages of using recombinant human proteins to treat disease, using insulin (diabetes), factor VIII (haemophilia) and adenosine deaminase (ADA-SCID) · outline how genetic diseases can be treated with gene therapy, using severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and inherited eye diseases as examples (somatic vs germ-line) · discuss the social and ethical considerations of using gene therapy in medicine

Genetic Screening and Its EthicsSign up

understand the terms gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, recessive, dominant, codominance, homozygote, heterozygote · understand patterns of inheritance including monohybrid inheritance and genetic pedigree diagrams · understand sex linkage on the X chromosome (red-green colour blindness) · understand how the cystic fibrosis gene mutation impairs gaseous exchange, digestive and reproductive systems · understand uses of genetic screening (carrier identification, PGD, prenatal testing including amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling) and the implications of prenatal screening · identify and discuss ethical and social issues relating to genetic screening (religious, moral and social viewpoints)

Genetically Modified Organisms in AgricultureSign up

explain how genetic engineering can help meet global food demand by improving the quality and productivity of farmed animals and crop plants, using GM salmon (fast growth), herbicide resistance in soybean, and insect resistance in cotton (Bt cotton) · discuss the ethical and social implications of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production