AGRI 3008Y(5) Current Topics in Agricultural Biotechnology

1.a. What were the objectives and benefits of the Human Genome project?
b. What are the ethical, legal and social implications of the Human Genome
project?
c. What has been achieved in the study of Microbial Genome Project?

2. Giving specific examples discuss the applications of molecular markers in

plant breeding?
Current Topics in Agricultural Biotechnology-Model Answer
1. a. Generation of high-resolution genetic and physical maps –for the
localization of disease associated genes; attainment of sequence benchmarks
which would have led to a complete genome sequence; identification of each and
every gene in the genome and compilation of exhaustive polymorphism
databases namely SNPs to facilitate integration of genomic and clinical data and
studies of human diversity and evolution.

b. Students should discuss privacy and confidentiality of genetic information;

-Psychological stigmatization: how does knowing your predisposition to disease
affect an individual. Genetic testing: should screening be done when there is no
treatment available.Reproductive issues: use of genetic information in decision
making.
c. Student is expected to know what microbial genome have been sequenced,
how the information has been used. The concept of minimal genome should be
discussed.
standards and quality control measures in testing procedures
2. Students are expected to have a good understanding of genetic markers,
linkage maps, mapping populations, QTL analysis and marker assisted selection.