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Ch. 20 - DNA Tools and Biotechnology
Chapter 20, Problem 5

DNA technology has many medical applications. Which of the following is not done routinely at present? a. production of hormones for treating diabetes and dwarfism b. analysis of gene expression for more informed cancer treatments c. gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 system in viable human embryos to correct genetic diseases d. prenatal identification of genetic disease alleles

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1
Identify the current routine applications of DNA technology in medicine, such as the production of hormones and analysis of gene expression.
Understand the concept of gene editing, specifically the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and its current stage of development and application in human medicine.
Review the ethical, legal, and technical challenges associated with gene editing in viable human embryos.
Compare the routine medical applications of DNA technology with the experimental or controversial applications.
Conclude which option among the given choices is not routinely performed at present by evaluating the maturity and acceptance of each technology in current medical practice.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

DNA Technology

DNA technology encompasses various techniques used to manipulate and analyze genetic material. This includes methods such as cloning, sequencing, and gene editing, which have significant applications in medicine, agriculture, and research. Understanding these technologies is crucial for evaluating their current applications and limitations in medical settings.
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CRISPR-Cas9 System

The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows for precise modifications to DNA. It utilizes a guide RNA to direct the Cas9 enzyme to specific locations in the genome, enabling the correction of genetic mutations. While its potential for treating genetic diseases is immense, ethical and regulatory concerns currently limit its routine application in viable human embryos.
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Gene Expression Analysis

Gene expression analysis involves studying the activity levels of genes to understand their roles in various biological processes, including disease. Techniques such as RNA sequencing and microarrays are used to assess how genes are expressed in different conditions, which can inform personalized treatment strategies, particularly in cancer therapy. This approach is increasingly routine in clinical settings.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which of the following tools of DNA technology is incorrectly paired with its use? a. electrophoresis—separation of DNA fragments b. DNA ligase—cutting DNA, creating sticky ends of restriction fragments c. DNA polymerase—polymerase chain reaction to amplify sections of DNA d. reverse transcriptase—production of cDNA from mRNA

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Textbook Question

Plants are more readily manipulated by genetic engineering than are animals because a. plant genes do not contain introns. b. more vectors are available for transferring recombinant DNA into plant cells. c. a somatic plant cell can often give rise to a complete plant. d. plant cells have larger nuclei.

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Textbook Question

A paleontologist has recovered a bit of tissue from the 400-year-old preserved skin of an extinct dodo (a bird). To compare a specific region of the DNA from a sample with DNA from living birds, which of the following would be most useful for increasing the amount of dodo DNA available for testing? a. SNP analysis b. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) c. electroporation d. gel electrophoresis

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not true of cDNA produced using human brain tissue as the starting material? a. It can be amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. b. It was produced from pre-mRNA using reverse transcriptase. c. It can be labeled and used as a probe to detect genes expressed in the brain. d. It lacks the introns of the pre-mRNA.

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Textbook Question

Expression of a cloned eukaryotic gene in a bacterial cell involves many challenges. The use of mRNA and reverse transcriptase is part of a strategy to solve the problem of a. post-transcriptional processing. b. post-translational processing. c. nucleic acid hybridization. d. restriction fragment ligation.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following sequences in double-stranded DNA is most likely to be recognized as a cutting site for a restriction enzyme? a. AAGG TTCC b. GGCC CCGG c. ACCA TGGT d. AAAA TTTT

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