genomics

Question 1

Define ‘genomics’ versus ‘proteomics’.

Answer 1

genomics- the study of the entire set of genes in the genome of the cell

proteomics- the study of the entire set of proteins produced by the cell

Question 2

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)? This is not a short answer…

Answer 2

organisms in which their genome has be externally edited by humans, compared to non GMO organisms that do not have an altered genme

Question 3

Can humans be GMOs? Are humans GMOs?

Answer 3

• humans can be genetically modified
• ie changing the genome to treat diseases/conditions
• humans are not gmo
• in the future possibly

Question 4

Are GMOs ‘ethical’?

Answer 4

• depends
• ethical in the sense that they can provide crops to many people. ie. genetically modifying crops so they are resistant to disease and have a higher yield and are bigger. this can then be used to provide food to those that are in need. this is ethical. another way they are ethical would be gentically modifying an individual so that they do not have a condition that would negatively impact their life. ex. eb, allergies, etc
• not ethical if it gets pushed too far. ex. where is the line? should parents be allowed to changes fetuses eye, hair colour etc and “customize” their child? where is the line. some people say playing with natural life/ god

Question 5

Can evolutionary concepts explain GMOs? How?**

Answer 5

• artifical selection. humans are selecting for a trait. this a type of natural selection. we are selecting for a specifc trait
• kinda like sped up articifcial selection

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of genetic modification to evolution?

Answer 6

• pros: can advance a species (rapid develpment of beneficial traits), can conserve an endangered species, medical advances (humans), argiculutrals efficancy (decreased need for pesticides and herbicides)
• cons: unintented ecological consequences (distrupt ecosystems, cross pollination, reduce genetic diversity ( if the GMO is grown/produced a lot and its suspticle to a disease/environmental change, the whole population could be wiped out), can develop resistances (antibiotic resistance), changes that can be passed down to future generations; this might lead to unforeseen impacts on human evolution.

Question 7

What is ‘functional genomics?’

Answer 7

• the study of how the genome, transcripts (genes), proteins and metabolites work together to to produce a particular phenotype
• attempts to describe gene functions and interactions. Functional genomics make use of the vast data generated by genomic and transcriptomic projects