Web Activities
UNIT 2: MOLECULAR GENETICS
Chapter 6 – Biotechnology
Page Number
Question
p. 295
Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: Genetic Engineering
Guidelines and Regulations
Statement: Internationals guidelines and parameters overseeing
public and private recombinant DNA technology need to be established
and reviewed annually.
- Using the Internet or other resources, research the guidelines
that were seat in place approximately 30 years ago in Asilomar, California.
In a group, discuss these regulations and assess whether they are
appropriate currently.
Asilomar
Revisited: Lessons for Today?
A conference held in 2000 marked the 25th anniversary of the gathering
of scientists in Asilomar, California that set the guidelines for
recombinant DNA technology. Asilomar Revisited: Lessons for Today?
discusses the social context of the two conferences and changes
in the objectives of biotechnology policy.
Historical
Events in the rDNA Debate
Historical Events in the rDNA Debate, written by a professor at
Colorado State University, gives a good outline of the events leading
up to the Asilomar conference in 1975, and following it. The essay
asks questions about the results of the policy created, and the
role of the public in decision-making.
Genetic
Engineering
Genetic Engineering: What it is, its benefits, and its controversy
- these are some topics covered in this well-done article. Also
addressed is the question of who decides how this technology should
be used. Both historical and current perspectives on policy-making
are given.
Agricultural
Biotechnology
The United States Department of Agriculture maintains this site
about Agricultural Biotechnology. This site provides links to the
three organizations responsible for regulation of biotechnological
research: the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food
and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
p. 295
Section 6.2 questions
6. On the Internet and in periodicals, research Canada’s
present position with respect to the availability of bovine somatotropin
to dairy farmers.
Recombinant
Bovine Somatotropin (rbST)
Health Canada’s Web site provides links to the key resources
needed to answer the question: Where does our government stand on
the use of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST)?
p. 296
Did You Know?
The Polymerase Chain Reaction: Exponential DNA Photocopying
“View an online animation of the polymerase chain reaction.”
Biology
Animation Library
This site, maintained by the Dolan DNA Learning Center, gives detailed
information on the Polymerase Chain Reaction. Students can watch a
number of cycles of PCR and can see a gel that results from PCR. Shockwave
is required to view the animation (free download available through
the Shockwave Web site).
p. 303
Practice
21. Another method by which the sequence
of DNA can be determined is the Maxam-Gilbert method. Using the Internet
and other resources, research this experimental technique. How does
the Maxam-Gilbert method differ from the Sanger dideoxy method?
Current
Sequencing Technologies
Within this page of the Human Genome Project Information site, is
a paragraph on Current Sequencing Technologies that explains and compares
the Maxam Gilbert and Sanger methods.
DNA
Sequencing
An in-depth description of the Sanger method, part of a DNA Sequencing
lecture given at the University of Colorado.
p. 304
Careers – Practice
22. Choose a career associated with biotechnology. Either
choose one that appears above, or the career of forensic scientist or
research scientist (at a university or in private industry).
a. Using the Internet, investigate and list the features
that appeal to you about this career. Make another list of features
that you find less attractive.
b. Identify the high school, college and/or university subjects
that are required for this career. Is a postsecondary degree required?
c. Using the Internet, survey the employment opportunities
in Canada for this career.
Careers
in Biotechnology
Job descriptions for a whole list of Careers in Biotechnology can
be found on this site, as well as interviews with scientists and others
who have actively worked in these areas. The site is maintained by
the US National Health Museum.
All
Canadian Jobs
All Canadian Jobs provides access to job advertisements in a variety
of categories from across Canada.
Workopolis
Workopolis claims to be Canada’s biggest online job board, with
a database of thousands of advertised positions that are searchable
by keyword.
Forensic
Science
Welcome to the Forensic Science program at the University of Toronto!
Here is all you need to know about the program and how to get into
it.
p. 309
Section 6.4 questions
5. The Government of Canada has set regulations that must be
met for a new transgenic crop to be approved for distribution in the
country. Using the Internet and other resources, research the regulations
that have been put into place. Appropriate staring points of research
would be Environment Canada, Food and Health Canada, and Agriculture
Canada. Do you feel these guidelines are adequate? What modifications
would you make to these guidelines if you could? Explain the implications
of the guidelines that have been set.
Essential
Information
Essential Information from AGBIOS, a consulting company in Ottawa,
is an extensive resource on transgenic crops. The site contains sections
on the regulatory practices of Canada and the US, how safety is assessed,
and a listing and description of all the genetically modified crops
that have been approved in Canada.
Agricultural
Biotechnology
This summary report outlines the results of a Canada-US meeting concerning
Agricultural Biotechnology that compared the two countries’
regulations and sought to formulate common policy on transgenic organisms.
Canada’s
Regulatory System
An excellent survey of Canada’s Regulatory System is given by
AGBIOS, including explanations of the roles of the various government
departments. The list of references found at the end of the page provides
links to key government policy documents.
p. 309
Section 6.4 questions
6. Using the Internet and other research tools, compile a
list a list of genetic disorders that can currently be screened for.
For
what diseases are gene tests available?
One of the questions answered on the Human Genome Project Information
site is: For what diseases are gene tests available?
Tests
for Genetic Disorders
The Merck Manual of Medical Information’s site provides good
coverage of the currently available Tests for Genetic Disorders.
Gene
Testing
A wealth of information on Gene Testing is arranged as a list of questions
on this U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site. Included
is a selection of the kinds of diseases that can be predicted using
genes.
p. 309
Section 6.4 questions
7. The Human Genome Project has provided us with a solid foundation
for the elucidation of many genetic disorders and their possible treatments
and cures. Using the Internet and print resources, construct a timeline
of the major events that have occurred during the Human Genome Project.
General
News on the Progress of the Human Genome Project
From Nature magazine’s Web site on genetics comes this
list of General News on the Progress of the Human Genome Project. Listed
are the papers published in the magazine from 1997 to the present. The
full text of each is available for viewing as a PDF document.
Human
Genome Project Timeline
View a summary of the main events in the Human Genome Project Timeline,
in chronological order from 1983 to 2001.
Human
Genome Project Dynamic Timeline
The Human Genome Project Dynamic Timeline provides year-by-year coverage
of the historical events leading up to, and including, the mapping of
the human genome. References are given for each item entered.
The
Human Genome
This extensive site features the original papers on The Human Genome
that have been published in the leading science journal, Nature.
Also presents expert analysis of the findings and the popular press’s
coverage of the breakthroughs of the HGP.
