Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about biotechnology, including genetic engineering, GMOs, DNA fingerprinting, and their applications and ethical considerations (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).

What this topic is asking

The Tennessee LS3 standards ask you to obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about biotechnology: the tools scientists use to study and manipulate DNA, their applications, and the ethical considerations they raise. For the Biology I EOC that means recognizing genetic engineering and GMOs, DNA fingerprinting and gel electrophoresis, selective breeding and cloning, and modern tools such as CRISPR, and being able to weigh benefits against concerns. Items often describe a technique and ask you to name it or give a use.

Genetic engineering and GMOs

The standard example is insulin production: scientists insert the human gene for insulin into bacteria, which then produce human insulin that can treat diabetes. Other applications include crops engineered for pest resistance or higher yield, and bacteria engineered to make medicines or break down pollutants. Because a gene codes for a protein, transferring the gene gives the new organism the ability to make that protein, which links biotechnology back to protein synthesis.

DNA fingerprinting and gel electrophoresis

DNA fingerprinting is used in forensics (matching a suspect or identifying remains), in paternity and relationship testing, and in research. The detail the EOC most often tests is that gel electrophoresis sorts fragments by size.

Selective breeding and cloning

Selective breeding (artificial selection) is an older biotechnology: humans choose organisms with desired traits (a faster horse, a sweeter corn, a calmer dog) and breed them together, so over generations the desired traits become more common. It works because the chosen traits are heritable, but it relies on existing variation and takes many generations.

Cloning produces a genetically identical copy of an organism or cell. Because the clone has the same DNA as the original, it is used to reproduce organisms with valuable traits and in research. Cloning a whole organism (as with Dolly the sheep) is different from the everyday cloning that happens when a cell divides by mitosis.

Modern tools and the bigger picture

Newer tools such as CRISPR let scientists edit DNA precisely, changing or correcting specific sequences. This opens possibilities such as correcting disease-causing mutations, but also sharpens the ethical questions.

The standard expects you to evaluate biotechnology, weighing benefits against concerns:

• Benefits. Life-saving medicines (insulin, vaccines), crops that resist pests or tolerate drought, solving crimes, and studying and treating genetic disease.
• Concerns. Possible effects on human health and on ecosystems (for example, GMO crops affecting other species), privacy of genetic information, access and fairness, and the ethics of editing inherited DNA.

An EOC item may ask you to give one benefit and one concern, so be ready to argue both sides from evidence.

Try this

Q1. Explain how bacteria can be used to make human insulin. [2]

• Cue. The human gene for insulin is inserted into the bacteria by genetic engineering; because the gene codes for insulin, the bacteria then produce human insulin, which can be collected and used.

Q2. Give one benefit and one ethical or safety concern of biotechnology. [2]

• Cue. Benefit: any of medicines (insulin, vaccines), improved crops, or solving crimes. Concern: any of effects on health or ecosystems, privacy of genetic data, fairness of access, or the ethics of editing inherited DNA.