Applications of gene technology — A/L Biology

What must I remember about Applications of gene technology?

• Medical applications: Production of recombinant human insulin (Humulin), human growth hormone, monoclonal antibodies, subunit vaccines, and gene therapy.
• Agricultural crop improvements: Golden Rice (biofortified with β-carotene/pro-vitamin A), Bt crops (engineered with Bacillus thuringiensis cry genes for insect resistance), and herbicide-tolerant crops.
• Animal biotechnology: Transgenic animals producing pharmaceutical proteins in milk (pharming), improved growth rates, and livestock disease resistance.
• Environmental bioremediation: Genetically modified microorganisms capable of degrading petroleum hydrocarbons, toxic heavy metals, and xenobiotic pollutants.
• Forensic DNA profiling: Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis amplified by PCR to establish unique genetic identities in paternity testing and criminal investigations.

Test yourself (1 minute)

1. Golden rice nutritional target

   Specifically engineered to synthesize β-carotene (pro-vitamin A) in the endosperm to combat childhood blindness in developing nations.

2. Bt toxin specificity

   The Cry endotoxin crystal proteins are toxic specifically to alkaline-gut insect larvae (lepidopterans), remaining completely harmless to humans and non-target organisms.

3. Bioethical concerns

   Potential allergenicity of GMOs, transfer of antibiotic-resistant markers, gene flow into wild weed populations, and monoculture ecological risks.

Practise Applications of gene technology questions today

Source: NIE G.C.E. (A/L) Biology Syllabus & Resource Book, Unit 7

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Next in the syllabus

Where does Applications of gene technology fit in the syllabus?

Year 1 · Term 2