Deck 22: Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Question 1

A DNA microarray (also called a DNA chip) can be used to ________.

A) mutate genes of interest
B) isolate genes from eukaryotic cell nuclei
C) assay protein output from a genomic database
D) trap genes that are both active and inactive
E) scan a population of nucleic acids for abundance and mutations

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Name at least three applications for examining sequence variants such as RFLPs.

Answer 2

forensic applications, paternity testing, archeology, conservation biology, public health, evolutionary biology

Question 3

Describe the structure of a DNA microarray and its use.

Answer 3

A DNA microarray is a glass plate divided into fields containing a specific DNA probe of about 20 nucleotides. The sequence of the probe differs by one nucleotide from field to field. A chip can hold more than 500,000 fields. DNA is extracted from cells and cut with one or more restriction enzymes. The fragments are fluorescence tagged, denatured, and annealed to the DNA in the array. Massive amounts of DNA can be screened for sequence changes in a relatively short period of time.

Question 4

How are gene therapy and recombinant DNA technology related?

Question 5

How is a microarray used to scan for mutations in a genome?

Question 6

RFLPs are commonly used in recombinant DNA technology to ________.

A) cleave DNA of interest
B) generate pharmaceutical products of interest
C) serve as recombinant DNA vectors
D) map genes and construct DNA fingerprints
E) substitute for oligonucleotides

Question 7

Under strictly controlled conditions, a probe can be used that will hybridize only with its complementary sequence and not with other sequences that may vary by as little as one nucleotide. What are such probes called?

A) generation-specific probes
B) short, variable repeats
C) VNTRs
D) microsatellites
E) allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASOs)

Question 8

What is an allele-specific oligonucleotide?

Question 9

A term often used to describe an organism that is a genetic mosaic, resulting from the introduction of DNA from another organism, is ________.

Question 10

What method have farmers used for millennia to enhance food production in plants and animals?

Question 11

Once DNA is separated on a gel, it is often desirable to gain some idea of its informational content. How might this be done?

Question 12

Briefly describe what is meant by gene therapy.

Question 13

What process is effectively the true test of the functionally synthetic genome?

Question 14

Briefly describe what is meant by the term edible vaccine.

Question 15

Prenatal detection of human diseases has been greatly enhanced by two procedures. Name and briefly describe each.

Question 16

Which of the following characteristics do SNPs have?

A) variable amino acid substitutions, highly heterogeneous
B) variable numbers of tandem repeats, highly uniform in the population
C) variable base sequences, variable in the population
D) various nucleotides transcribed repeatedly, homogeneous
E) small noteworthy transcribed regions, lethal genes

Question 17

What term is used to describe the new field engaged to producing more specific, effective and personally customized drugs?

Question 18

Many instances involving genetically modified organisms, especially food crops, will be entering the human food chain in the years to come. On what basis are genetically modified foods considered safe to eat?

A) They are only slightly toxic.
B) All products to be cleared for human consumption have been personally tested by all members of the regulatory agency.
C) Because of the possible economic impact of rigorous testing, such food products are minimally tested in sheep and cattle.
D) Each genetically modified food product is screened for its resistance to antibiotics.
E) Genetically modified food products are considered safe if they are found not toxic or allergenic or have other negative physiological effects.

Question 19

Which term is commonly used to describe the production of valuable proteins in genetically modified plants and animals?

A) animal farming
B) tuna farming
C) biopharming
D) culturing
E) genetic production

Question 20

Generally, vaccines are used to stimulate the immune system by providing antigens of potential pathogens. What is the typical composition of a vaccine?

Question 21

Rational drug design involves the synthesis of specific chemical substances that affect specific gene products.

Question 22

Genes in their natural state cannot be patented. This policy allows research and use of natural products for the common good. What argument might be presented in favor of patenting genes or gene products?

Question 23

A restriction fragment is generated by the action of a restriction enzyme (endonuclease).

Question 24

The Human Genome Project seeks to rid the human population of genetic disease.

Question 25

In the past decades, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests have become widespread. Are such tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration?

Question 26

One of the problems associated with the generation of transgenic plants is that the ecological parameters of many plants are not completely understood.

Question 27

There is a fear that preconception genetic testing may lead to "designer babies." What historical practice comes to mind regarding the production of such babies?

Question 28

It is likely that new methods of delivering vaccines will be developed so that traditional injection will be less frequent.

Question 29

Can human genes be patented?

Question 30

Describe, in general terms, the aims of gene therapy.

Question 31

Amniocentesis is preferred over chorionic villus sampling because recombinant DNA screening can be achieved with amniocentesis but not with chorionic villus sampling.

Question 32

Direct-to-consumer provides an accurate assessment of physiological and behavioral circumstances within patients that will eventually replace the need for routine visits to the doctor.

Question 33

Drosophila is a unique candidate for genetic engineering because it is the one prokaryote about which we have a great deal of genetic information.

Question 34

The Genetic Testing Registry is designed to restrict public access to a variety of genetic processes.

Question 35

Biotechnology has yet to produce a single useful product for a human health condition.

Question 36

Alleles that differ by as little as a single nucleotide can be distinguished by synthetic probes known as ________.