BIOLOGU
...s in acidic soil”: used carrot genes so it can grow in acidic soil, it might be important for paper creation. ź “Gene therapy”: four boys with bubble-boy disease had it treated, however one got a leukemia-like illness. ź “The new Eugenics”: questions if we should still have babies with genetic disabilities. ź “Pistas genéticas sobre el alcoholismo”: descubren en 3 cromosomas una vulnerabilidad genética al alcohol (cromosomas 10, 11 y 22). ź “Activists take on gene patents”: disturbed by the growing number of patents given for genetic discoveries, and international coalition is launching a camping aimed at abolishing private control. ź “Bio-piracy row over faded jeans”: chemicals used to fade jeans were taken out of Kenya, now they are fighting for their resources. Fertilization technology ź In vitro fertilization Are frozen embryos alive? What rights do they have? Which parent has rights to them? ź Frozen sperm (can live up to 200 years) “Sperm banks” “Sperm donors” ź Frozen ovaries that suffer reimplantation ź Genetic modification / egg stimulation 1 nuclear mother + 1 mitochondrial mother = 1 egg Cloning ź Cloning: copying DNA with “normal” procedures. Making copies of genes. Organ cloning. Organism cloning. ź Take a section of DNA, put it into another organism and grow it. ź Take all DNA, put it into an egg from which DNA has been removed. ź Why cloning? Medical research Production of crops, etc Organ replacement To copy pets To copy people Restoring extinct animals ź Why isn’t a clone like an original? Nuclear DNA may be identical, but many proteins, enzymes, mitochondrial DNA come from egg donor. Developmental process shapes characteristics. Environment affects post-natal development. Evolution ź Evolution: any change over time in the gene frequencies of a population. Note: individuals have mutations, populations evolve. ź How does it work: natural selection. A mechanism that makes evolution. Organisms that are better adapted to their environment leave more children. Over time, genes that adapt organisms to their environment become more frequent. ź General principles Over time, organisms become better adapted to a stable environment. No foresight, no progress. Often, things get larger or more complex, but not always. ź Objections (evolution / Western religion) No plan, no purpose / teleology (God’s purpose). Random chance, not designed / created in God’s image. Humans are a special animal, but still an animal / humans are special creations. Things on earth have changed over time / static creation. The earth is billions of years old (4,5) / only 6000 years. ź Evidence for evolution 1. Biochemical evidence § All life on earth shares a genetic code (common origin). § Organisms that are more similar in appearance have more similar genes and “junk DNA”. 2. Embryological / developmental evidence § In their development, organism often look like their supposed ancestors. 3. Anatomical evidence § Homologies: a structure that is similar in different organisms because of common descent. § Vestigial organs: (Erasmus Darwin) an organ / structure in an animal because ...