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Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability 1

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Identify <strong>and</strong> extractgene with desired traitPhase 1Make Modified GenecellgeneTransfer plasmidcopies to a carrieragrobacteriumPhase 2Make Transgenic CellIdentify <strong>and</strong> removeportion of DNAwith desired traitRemove plasmidfrom DNA of E. coliDNAplasmidE. coliAgrobacteriuminserts foreignDNA into plantcell to yieldtransgenic cellA. tumefaciens(agrobacterium)Plant cellNucleusHost DNAInsert extracted DNA(step 2) into plasmid(step 3)DNAGeneticallymodifiedplasmidplasmidTransfer plasmidto surfacemicroscopic metalparticleForeign DNAInsert modifiedplasmid into E. coliGrow in tissueculture tomake copiesUse gene gunto inject DNAinto plant cellsomeday be able to clone humans—a possibility thatexcites some people <strong>and</strong> horrifies others.Bioengineers have developed chickens that laylow-cholesterol eggs, tomatoes with genes that canhelp prevent some types of cancer, <strong>and</strong> bananas <strong>and</strong>potatoes that contain oral vaccines to treat various viraldiseases in developing countries where needles<strong>and</strong> refrigeration are not available.Researchers envision using genetically engineeredanimals to act as biofactories for producing drugs,vaccines, antibodies, hormones, industrial chemicalssuch as plastics <strong>and</strong> detergents, <strong>and</strong> human body organs.This new field is called biopharming. For example,cows may be able to produce insulin for treatingdiabetes, perhaps more cheaply than making the insulinin laboratories. Have you considered this field asa career choice?Phase 3Grow Genetically Engineered PlantTransgenic cellfrom Phase 2Cell division oftransgenic cellsCulture cellsto form plantletsTransfer to soilWhat Are Some Concerns about the GeneticRevolution? Genetic Wonderl<strong>and</strong> orGenetic Wastel<strong>and</strong>?Genetic engineering has great promise butit is an unpredictable process <strong>and</strong> raises a numberof privacy, ethical, legal, <strong>and</strong> environmentalissues.Transgenic plantswith new traitsFigure 5-11 Genetic engineering. Steps in geneticallymodifying a plant.98 CHAPTER 5 Evolution <strong>and</strong> Biodiversity

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