Chapter 9 DNA Mutations and Genetic Engineering • MHR 321COMMUNICATING26.In a short essay, explain what is meant by the
statement, “The genome of any organism is far
from stable.” What evidence can you offer to
support this statement? What evidence can you
offer to refute it?
27.Your cousin tells you that “whether or not you
get cancer from smoking is just a matter of
luck.” Challenge your cousin to a duel of facts
and list a series of points you would make in
rebuttal. Will your cousin be able to identify
any weak points in your argument?
28.Working with a partner, debate the statement,
“The benefits of farming genetically engineered
crops outweigh the risks.” Then write a short
report identifying what you thought were the
three best points made by each side in the
debate.
29.Imagine that scientists discover a gene
associated with high IQ. They then develop a
form of gene therapy that can insert this gene
into the genome of a fetus.
(a)Working with a partner or in a small group,
brainstorm what you think might be some
of the social effects of this discovery. What
would happen, for example, if the treatment
were very expensive? What if the treatment
had the side effect of increasing the risk of
mental disorders? Record your ideas in a
list or concept map.
(b)Write a brief report to describe what you
think are some steps that could be taken
now to prepare society for this kind of
discovery in the future.
30.In a short report, discuss the risks and benefits
associated with human germ-line therapy.
Conclude with a recommendation on whether
or not this kind of therapy should continue to
be banned in Canada.MAKING CONNECTIONS31.A researcher develops a new form of
polymerase chain reaction that can amplify
long sequences of DNA. Is this technique likely
to replace entirely the use of bacteria as
cloning vectors? Why or why not?
32.In 1997, the United Nations declared that
“Practices which are contrary to human
dignity, such as reproductive cloning of human
beings, shall not be permitted.” In a short
report, discuss why the United Nations
considers human cloning to be a practice
contrary to human dignity. In your summary,
add your own reasons for why you agree or
disagree with the United Nations’ position.
33.A researcher develops a form of nucleotide
variant whose 5 ′phosphate group is unable to
form a bond with the 3 ′hydroxyl group of a
neighbouring nucleotide. Could this molecule
be used in a chain termination reaction in
place of a dideoxynucleotide? Explain.(b)What other plasmids will result from
this procedure? Which of them will be
recombinant?23.You are studying a plant cell that produces a
protein with the amino acid sequence Met-Phe-
Pro-Arg-Trp. Design a procedure that would
enable you to locate the gene for this protein
within the genome of the plant cell.
24.You successfully insert a plant gene coding for
a growth hormone into a bacterial cell. When
you extract and test the protein product,
however, you find that it does not function
as it should.
(a)Identify and explain three problems that
might lead the bacterial cell to produce a
non-functioning protein.
(b)How would you determine which of these
problems has in fact occurred?
25.A molecular biologist involved in gene therapy
research develops a viral vector by inserting a
human gene into a viral genome. In clinical
trials the vector successfully binds to target
cells, but later analysis shows that none of the
target cells have incorporated the new human
gene into their DNA.
(a)What might have gone wrong?
(b)How could the biologist confirm the
problem?
(c)What steps could the biologist take to
correct the problem?