LECTURE 1

CONTENTS
A. Definition of Genetics
B. Application of Genetics
 the study of
HEREDITY and VARIATION
AGRICULTURE

Selective breeding:
cross-breeding of two
parents, each with some
good traits, to produce
offspring with the good
traits of both parents
BENEFITS OFSelective Breeding
better resistance to pests and diseases
improved nutritional value (superior quality)
fruits with longer shelf life
bigger animal, more meat, more milk production

Increase food production

Disadvantage:
removal of some genes from the gene pool
TRANSGENIC ORGANISMS:
Transgenic plants: resistant to pests, diseases

Transgenic animals: chickens with

HGH to make them grow large and
very fast

Transgenic bacteria: for mass production of

insulin, HGH, blood clotting factor
MEDICINE
Accurate diagnosis of diseases
Preventing use of medicine or disease prevention
Inherited drug sensitivities
Chromosomal abnormalities
Production of vaccines, antibodies, vitamins, insulin
Gene therapy
Future: personalized medicine
 LEGAL (genetic fingerprinting)

Crimes (forensic science)

Parentage
INDUSTRIES
- Provide some synthetically produced raw materials
for industries

Brewing industry
INDUSTRIES
The pharmaceutical industry has developed strains of
molds, bacteria, and other microorganisms high in
antibiotic yield. (examples: Penicillin and cyclosporin
from fungi, streptomycin and ampicillin from
bacteria)
HUMANS:
possibility of making children with only the desirable
traits
Babies who have deficiency could be treated with
additions being done to their genetic structure.
Those who cannot reproduce due to medical
complications have also seen positive results with
surrogate parent's concept becoming available.
Increasing life span (vaccination, medications,
vitamins)
ENVIRONMENT

Oil spills

BIOREMEDIATION
Polluted waterways
ENVIRONMENT
- Protection of
valuable wild
populations
(genetic monitoring
using genetic
markers) thus
probably solving
problems causing
reduction of
population
Distribution of elephant in Tanzania