Bacterial gene transfer is also used in the lab to introduce genes into organisms of different species, genera, phyla, or even kingdoms or domains. A major example is the use of a Ti plasmid of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer genes into dicotyledonous plants. The bacterium infects the plant root in the soil and transfers some of the Ti plasmid genes (T DNA)into the plant nucleus. Recombination may occur, and T DNA expression is controlled by plant compounds generated in response to wounding and infection. Assuming you have appropriately engineered the Ti plasmid to carry the gene in question, how could you best and most safely test whether your potatoes are now working as a vaccine?
A)Feed the engineered potato to a population at high risk for cholera.
B)Cook the potatoes to denature the toxin and feed them to mice susceptible to cholera.
C)Feed pieces of raw potato to susceptible mice and test them for antibodies.
D)Emulsify the potatoes in a liquid that can be injected into experimental animals.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The safest and most ethical approach would be to feed pieces of raw potato to susceptible mice and test them for antibodies. This would not involve any harm to humans or animals and would allow for the detection of an immune response, indicating that the vaccine is working. Option A is not ethical as it involves feeding an unproven vaccine to a population at high risk without prior animal testing. Option B is not ideal as cooking the potatoes could denature the protein and affect its efficacy as a vaccine. Option D involves injection, which could be more invasive and potentially risky than feeding.

Bacterial Gene Transfer Is Also Used in the Lab to Introduce