Nucleic acid technology and applications

I. What are some current recombination technologies described in your textbook?

A. Basically, most of the recombination technology revolves around the use of restriction enzymes,
RFLPs (restriction fragment length polymorphisms), and recombinant DNA vectors. Recombinant
DNA is made by using the same restriction enzyme on a strand of DNA and the plasmid (vector)
although plasmids are not the only means of creating recombinant DNA. The restriction enzyme cuts
the DNA into many pieces and once the gene of interest is found, they insert it into the plasmid which
is cut by the same restriction fragment. The sticky ends are joined together and by using DNA ligase
are made to hold. The plasmid is then inserted into a bacterial cell to replicate along with cell, thus
creating many copies of the gene of interest. Besides just replicating a gene of interest, other
recombination technologies involve creating transgenic animal (chimeras) and plants. Other
technologies nucleic acid technology includes southern blotting, DNA microarray assays, DNA finger
printing and many more.
II. What are some practical applications of nucleic acid technology?
A. First, there is DNA fingerprinting, which uses RFLPs and gel electrophoresis. Basically, in gel
electrophoresis the RFLPs create bands across the gel according to their size. The smaller the RFLPs
are the faster and further they move across the gel. This is called a DNA fingerprint because it is very
unlikely that someone will have the same banding pattern as another person unless they are identical
twins. It is mainly used in forensics, but can also be used for paternity testing. Other applications of
nucleic acid technology include genetic maps, the human genome project which of coarse is trying to
map the entire human genome, DNA microarray assay which can detect and measure the expression of
thousands of genes at one time in order to see which genes are functioning and which are not. Also,
this technology has been used to created transgenic plants that are resistant to weed killers and other
chemicals. It is also being applied to create transgenic animals like cattle that will grow faster or
produce more milk. Last, but no least, there is gene therapy which, in the future, will enable scientist
to replace defective genes with fully functional ones and hopefully will be able to prevent the passing
on of these genes to future generations.
III. What legal and ethical problems may arise from these applications?
A. There are many problems and concerns that arise from these applications. One is the possibility that
recombinant DNA technology might create hazardous new pathogens. Other concerns involve the
safety of genetically modified organisms such as plants and animals. One of the main concerns,
however, involves the human genome project. Some of the questions posed for this were: Who should
have the right to examine some else’s genes? How should that information be used? Should that
information be used in determining whether a person is suitable for a certain job or insurance? No
knows the answers to these questions yet, and it because of these questions that the research and results
are slowing down for the applications of DNA technology. The only thing that scientists can do for
now is proceed with humility and caution.