History of Genetic Engineering

1
History of Genetic Engineering
2
What is it?

• Process of altering the genetic code through
  artificial means
• Same principle as that used in selective breeding
• Fewer limitations than selective breeding
• Combine genes from different species

3
In the Beginning

• Selective breeding practiced since prehistoric
  times
• Domestication of animals and crops

4
Timeline of Modern Genetics

• Father of Genetics Gregor Mendel
• Basic laws of inheritance (1865)
• 1866 proposal that nucleus contains hereditary
  material
• 1869 nuclein discovered
• 1875 fusion of gamete nuclei observed

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Timeline, continued

• 1900 Mendels findings rediscovered
• 1902 Chromosome Theory of Inheritance,
  confirmed in 1910
• 1927 X-ray induced mutations
• 1944 Avery DNA carries genetic information
• 1953 shape of DNA discovered
• 1960s discovery of endonucleases

6
Modification

• Restriction enzymes allow selective splicing
• Transgenic organisms
• Genome contains inserted fragments of DNA taken
  from other species
• Human alpha-1 antitrypsin in sheep milk
• Pharmaceutical producing plants

7
Other Applications

• Prenatal diagnosis
• Molly and Adam Nash
• Gene therapy
• Use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
  to stimulate cardiac muscle regeneration
• Sever Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
  successfully treated

8
Limitations of Genetic Manipulation

• Moral/ethical
• Chemical processes