In the life sciences today, the study of gene- tics has led to genetic engineering. To understand genetic engineering, we must first understand cells, genes, chromo- somes, and DNA. ‘elle - A cell is the basic unit of structure in animals and plants. Cells contain tiny bod- ies called chromosomes. In human repro- ductive cells, the number of chromosomes is 23. The chromosomes carry genes. The genes. are arranged in single file along the chromo: somes. Each gene contains a segment of DNA, which is a ‘nucleic acid. The DNA carries hereditary information in code form. Examples of hereditary information about humans include the following: skin color, hair color, eye color, ear shape, and blood type. During the past ten years, genetic engi- neers have developed the process of gene transplantation. This involves taking a gene from one organism, such as a microbe or a human cell, and planting it in another organism, such cs a bacterium. Gene trans- planting offers remarkable possibilities for the present, and limitless possibilities for the future, One recent accomplishment involves in- sulin, In 1977, scientists succeeded in taking genes that control insulin production from a human cell. They placed these genes in a bacterium. The bacterium then produced human insulin, which is expected to be more effective against diabetes than beef or pork insulin is. By similar gene transplantation, scientists may soon find vaccines against malaria and hepatitis. A vaccine against cancer may also be found, Medicine is not the only area affected by genetic engineering. To clean up oil spills, scientists have recently developed an organ- ism that eats oil. They are also working in many other areas. They may produce low calorie sugar, faster growth for cattle, gaso- line substitutes made from plants, and many other things, However, genetic engineering changes our whole biological world. ft has dangers and serious legal and ethical impli- cations. What will happen, for example, if 62 sciTEcH an organism that eats oil gets loose in Saudi Arabia? Such questions must be examine Nevertheless, we can expect astonishing new advances in genetic engineering in the years ahead. genetic engineering: a new discipline that studies and reorganizes reproductive materials genes: units of hereditary information carried in a chromosome chromosomes: tiny bodies in a cell that carry genes DNA: a nucleic acid and the basic material of chromosomes, segment: part or section nueleie acid: compound found in all living eells| code: a set of signals gene transplantation: removing a gene fyom one living thing and planting it in another microbe: a very small life form bacterium: a onecelled organism insulin: used to treat diabetes diabetes: a disease in which the use of sugar by the body is impaired malaria: a disease carried by mosquitos hepatitis: a disease of the liver implications: questions, considerations[= a, ' 1 q I qj 1 LANGUAGE ANALYSIS: Vocabulary EXERCISE 1. In the left column are words from today’s lesson. On the right.are short defini tions of these words, Match the definitions and words. © 1, genes a. unit of structure in all plants and animals ——— 2% insulin b. a disease —— 3.DNA €. bodies which cary genes ——— 4. malaria . d. to change from one environment to another —— seell €. units of hereditary information ——— 6 transplant £. used in treatment for diabetes ——— 7. chromosomes g. a nucleic acid LANGUAGE ANALYSIS: Examples with such as EXERCISE 2. Look at the following sentence from the reading: “This involves taking a gene from one organism, such as a microbe, and planting it in another organism, such as a bac. terium.” Part 1 In each sentence below, underline the part which is an example. We must understand certain concepts, such as cells, genes, chromosomes, and DNA. Gene transplantation may produce vaccines against diseases such a8 cancer, malaria, and hepati 3. DNA carries genetic information such as skin, hair, and eye color. 4. Scientists may develop genetic engineering processes for areas such as faster growth for cattle, low calorie sugar, and gasoline substitutes. 5. The work involves organisms such as microbes and bacteria Part 2 ' Now answer the questions below, Refer to 1-5 in Part 1 6. Genes and chromosomes are examples of - a. cells —— ). genetic concepts ¢ both “a” and “bh” ee Ok oe ee ee ee eee 7. Malaria and hepatitis are examples of a. gene transplantation —— bh diseases ——— © vaccines THE LIFE SCIENCES 63Skin, hair, and eye color are examples of a. DNA, —— b- genetics ©. genetic information 9, Faster growth of cattle is an example of a. areas of development for genetic engineer's ——— b. low calorie sugar ¢. neither “a” nor 10. Microbes are examples of a, work: ——— b. organisms —— ©. bacteria READING COMPREHENSION: Focus on Facts k. If EXERCISE 3. Read cach of the sentences below. Ifa sentence is true, write T in the bla a sentence is false, write F. T 1. Genetics is the science of heredity. Cells are tiny bodies also known as chromosomes. ——— 3. A chromosome is a reproductive cell, —— 4. DNA is a nucleic acid. 5. A gene is a scientist who studies geneology ——— 6. Gene transplantation means moving genes from one eranism to another. 7. Insulin produced from human cells may be less effective than insulin produced from pork and beef cells. —— 8. New vaccines may soon control diseases such as microbes and bacteria. 9. Possible new discoveries for genetic engineering include ,stsoline substitutes made from plants. 64 sci TEGHCONTROLLED WRITING: Examples using such as EXERCISE 4. Use the tables below to write sentences using such as, Follow this example: “We studied concepts such as cells, chromosomes, genes, and DNA.” studied concepts cells, chromosomes, genes, and DNA learned about _| | hereditary information | | hair, skin, and eye color We | read about organisms microbes and bacteria discussed diseases malaria, hepatitis, and diabetes faster growth for cattle low calorie sugar, and gasoline substitutes asked questions about | | discoveries THE LIFE SCIENCES.GUIDED WRITING: Examples with such as EXERCISE 5. Complete the table below by adding three examples for each area listed. Refer to the reading as necessary. Use the completed table to fill in the blanks of the paragraph after the table, Area Examples 1. disease control diabetes, a a 2. non-disease areas _ cleaning up oil spills ‘The applications of gene transplantation will affeet many areas of life, In disease control, gene transplantation has already provided improvements in the treatment of diabetes. Vaccines for other diseases such as _______, ,and may also soon be found. Areas outside of disease control are also benefiting from gene transplantation experiments. To clean up oil spills, an organism that eats oil has recently ‘been developed, and genetic engineering may provide a way to produce +$___ and es FREE WRITING: Using Examples 1. List some physical traits you probably inherited from your father. List others you prob- ably inherited from your mother. (Use examples such as brown eyes, curly hair, ete.) 2. Now write a short composition showing how genetic engineering might be used in pro- ducing different physical traits in your children. 66 SCI TECH