Biology Homework: Biotechnology, Cloning, and Ethical Considerations

This assignment explores the use of biotechnology in everyday life, providing examples such as the production of curd, cheese, wine, and medicines. It highlights the impact of biotechnology in saving lives through clot-dissolving drugs. The assignment also delves into the process of cloning, including Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and embryo splitting, while addressing concerns about potential risks associated with modified viruses or bacteria. The student expresses concerns about the safety of consuming cloned animals and plants, considering the FDA's stance, and acknowledges potential environmental risks, such as crop plants becoming weeds. References to relevant research papers are included to support the analysis.

Running Title: Assignment Genetics
Assignment
Genetics

Genetics
Part 1
Ans 1.
In day-to-day life we can find various examples of biotechnology that use bacteria to produce
curd, cheese, wine, vinegar along with medicines and vaccines (Squassina et al., 2010).
Ans 2.
Biotechnology saved my mother’s life; she was suffering from heart blockades which was
cleared by biotechnology derived clot‐dissolving (thrombolytic) drugs (Wardlaw et al., 2014).
Ans 3.
Yes, I have some concern of developing of different life threatening diseases through modified
virus/bacteria which could be mistakenly spread outside the laboratory conditions. Such
conditions although not prominent but can happen through some mischievous elements.
Part 2
Ans 1.
Against the popular belief, the cloned and normal animals are different and their similarity is sort
of like identical twins. The cloning can be done by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), a
laboratory technique where the genes of the normal animal is inserted into the enucleated ova
(Tesar 2014). Thereafter, ova are transferred to a surrogate female where it develops like a
natural embryo. Another method is embryos splitting, which involves splitting of embryo at an
early developmental stage and generate "twins" (Illmensee and Levanduski, 2010).
Ans 2.

Genetics
Although, FDA stated that cloning doesn’t do any significant change in the organism but still no
detailed studies have been conducted with in-depth analysis (Black 2008). Therefore I would not
prefer consuming cloned animal.
Ans 3.
Yes my opinion is unchanged for cloned plants too. Although, FDA emphasizes that human uses
cloned products even before the technical advancement took place, and it was known as
vegetative propagation. This process decreases the time required for fruiting process and such
methods are extensively carried out for apples, potatoes, bananas, etc. There is nothing wrong
with food safety with these products as of now. But there is potential environmental risk
associated with it, such there are some instances of crop plants becoming weeds (Gewin, 2003).

Genetics
References
Black, R. (2008). U.S. approves animal clones as food. Retrieved from the BBC News Web site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7190305.stm
Gewin, V. (2003). Genetically modified corn—Environmental benefits and risks. PLoS
Biol, 1(1), e8.
Illmensee, K., Levanduski, M. (2010). Embryo splitting. Middle East Fertility Society Journal,
15(2), 57-63.
Squassina, A., Manchia, M., Manolopoulos, V. G., Artac, M., Lappa-Manakou, C., Karkabouna,
S., ... & Patrinos, G. P. (2010). Realities and expectations of pharmacogenomics and
personalized medicine: impact of translating genetic knowledge into clinical
practice. Pharmacogenomics, 11(8), 1149-1167.
Tesar, P. J. (2014). Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Is All Grown Up. Science Translational
Medicine, 6(235), 235ec82-235ec82.
Wardlaw, J. M., Murray, V., Berge, E., & del Zoppo, G. J. (2014). Thrombolysis for acute
ischaemic stroke. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, CD000213.
http://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000213.pub3