The
Way We Work With Life:
Issues in Biotechnology
A course for general undergraduate and the general public
covering, in simple terms, basic knowledge in the exploding field
of Biotechnology.
Albert P. Kausch, Ph.D.
Fall 2005
How does life work? What is life? How are genes sequenced or cloned?
Should we be cloning genes and moving them into other organisms? How
will biotechnology affect medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture? Should
we be cloning and genetically engineering animals? Should the federal
government support stem cell research? What are the ethical issues?
What are the career opportunities in the various fields that utilize
biotech? These are currently just some of the important and socially
relevant questions regarding the extraordinary advances in biotechnology
that are addressed in this new course titled “The Way We Work
With Life: Issues in Biotechnology”.
Knowledge about how life on this planet works should be a part
of basic education and will provide a basis for informed dialogue
about the current advances in all of the various and often controversial
fields of biotechnology.
Course Description
The biological and environmental sciences have been rapidly transformed
by the introduction of DNA-based technologies that allow for the precise
manipulation and examination of the genetic material of plants, animals
and microbes. The application of this technology encompasses the exploding
fields within biotechnology. The tools of biotechnology are currently
being applied across the biological sciences to address problems in
agricultural crop improvement, marine sciences and aquaculture, medicine,
pharmacy, forensics, and public health. The introduction of this field
has been extremely rapid and has created a tremendous educational
need to keep pace.
The technology now exists to clone any piece of DNA and transfer
that DNA from one organism to another. The sequence of the human genome,
and those of many other organisms, has recently been published. The
implications of these advancements and their influence on society
into the future are enormous. Indeed, it can be said that the accomplishment
of man’s landing on the moon pales in significance to these advancements.
Everyday the news is filled with recent developments and concerns
regarding genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in food, the human
genome, and cloning research. While even the President and the Pope
must grapple with issues involving Stem Cell Research, the general
public is largely ignorant of the facts surrounding these developments.
Knowledge of how DNA works is now as fundamental as knowledge of the
solar system.
This course provides an introduction to Biotechnology and its impact
on the environmental and life sciences, medicine, and agriculture.
First, the basic questions concerning What is Life? and How does it
work? are examined. To address these questions, the fundamental mechanics
of biological life, DNA, gene expression and cloning are presented
in basic layman’s terms as a basis for the current applications
of modern biotechnology. Next, the current basic techniques used for
gene cloning and transfer are examined. These technologies provide
the basis for biotechnological advances in medical, pharmaceutical,
agricultural, environmental, and forensic applications. Applications
of recombinant DNA and genetic engineering are explored in these areas
that are dramatically affecting our society and future. Lastly, the
implications of biotechnology to world economy, politics, ecology
and ethics are also discussed.
1. Background
Today, the term ‘biotechnology’ most frequently refers to
the use of DNA-based technologies that are now so widely used in medical,
pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental, and forensic applications.
News and breakthroughs in biotechnology are now common in the popular
press. For example, a recent special issue of TIME magazine was titled
“Biotechnology-The future is now”. However, education of
the public is lagging significantly behind the rate of advancement
in this rapidly developing field.
The techniques to clone the first gene were developed in 1972. Now
it is possible to clone genes from any organism, including bacteria,
fungi, plants and animals and transfer those cloned genes into other
organisms. For example, a gene can be cloned from a bacteria, and
moved into a plant such as corn where the plant will then make the
protein that is usually made by the bacteria. The transferred DNA
sequence, or transgene, directs the cell to make its specific protein
product and provides the potential for new traits.
Next year there will be over 100 million acres of genetically engineered
transgenic crops grown in the United States, yet the vast majority
of US consumers have no idea how this technology works or its implications
for our future. Most people do not know how DNA works. The benefits
of transgenic crops are already in our stores. Their products are
in many of the common foods we eat, such as corn starch, potato chips,
and canola oil, yet most people are unaware of these advances and
their impact.
The ability to create transgenic organisms allows genetic characteristics
to be transferred beyond genus/species lines, even across kingdom
boundaries. This has become a very powerful tool for agricultural
crop improvement. Traits have been transferred which confer insect,
pest and disease resistance (without the use of chemicals), drought
and salt tolerance, as well as increased nutritional enhancement,
and yield. For example, a new variety of rice has been developed with
high levels of vitamin A that should help combat deficiencies in developing
countries. In another amazing example, transgenic potato and banana
plants have been made which produce edible vaccines against cholera
and hepatitis B.
Why should we make transgenic crop plants? Norman E. Borlaug, the
father of the “green revolution” and 1970 Nobel Laureate
for development of new high yielding hybrids through classical breeding
methods recently published an article titled “Feeding a world
of 10 billion people: the miracle ahead”. He considers development
of agricultural biotechnology as essential to meeting growing food
demands in the next century.
The ability to make planned genetic modifications in transgenic organisms
is also an important tool for understanding fundamentals of how genes
that are important to normal growth and development function, as well
as genetic diseases. These approaches will allow the development of
new cancer therapies and cures for other diseases.
Given the rapid recent advances in transgenic biology and the other
related areas of biotechnology and a prediction that this field will
continue to grow and become increasing more sophisticated, there is
an increasing need to create an informed and educated public in this
area. The fact that there are various concerns and issues regarding
genetically modified organisms further underscores the need for increased
public education and awareness.
Educational Objectives:
This course, Issues in Biotechnology, is intended for the general
public, Life Science Industry staff, high school teachers and undergraduate
students regardless of their major or degree program. There are no
prerequisites. The course aims to accomplish three goals: 1) to provide
basic knowledge about DNA and gene expression that is fundamental
to the how biological life functions, 2) to present the current applications
in biotechnology, and career opportunities in the growing fields that
are related to biotechnology; and 3) to examine issues and ethics
concerning the future of biotechnology and our society.
Additional EDC 920 Objectives
Teachers pursuing this course for professional development will,
in addition to the general “educational objectives”, also
be prepared to submit four lesson plans on a topic of their choice
according to NSTA standards. Those teachers involved with live tele-conferenceing
are required to engage ethical debate in the class room setting. The
course aims to provide teachers the tools and knowledge to promote
consumer awareness and intellectual growth in their classrooms.
Texts
Exploring The Way Life Works. The Science of Biology. Hoagland,
Mahlon & Dodson, Bert ed. Hauck,
Judith. 2001. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc. Sudbury MA
Available from www.lifeedu.org under the heading “Resources”
as well as the URI book store.
Additional readings as assigned
Student Workbook of Lectures $55.00
must be ordered at iCopy, Kingston 401-788-8277
iCopy 99 Fortin Road, Kingston RI 02881
Course Grading
Attendance is absolutely mandatory. 10% of your final grade
will be deducted for any unexcused absence (or any part of
one class). If you must be absent, you MUST notify Kate Driscoll(401.874.9911)
or Albert Kausch(401.874.7121) and provide documentation for your
absence.
Quizzes will be given after each class via online testing.
They will cover: the weekly assigned chapter from the class text (The
Way Life Works) focusing on both concepts and vocabulary, that
day’s class lecture and assigned reading from the previous class.
These quizzes consist of 15 multiple choice questions and should be
a test of your general knowledge.
3 Exams will be given at the end of each module and will cover
both class lecture material as well as the class text.
Stock Project each student will be responsible for a project,
due before the end of term, detailing current market analysis of several
publicly traded biotechnology companies. This project will be summarized
with a written report.
EDC 920 Project for students seeking
professional development credit only. 3 class lesson plans
will be turned in before the end of term. Please be sure to include
any activities, group projects, research, and discussion topics that
you plan on including.
| Course
Component |
Undergraduate/AP
190 |
EDC 920
|
| Quizzes
(14 quizzes) |
30%
|
30%
|
| Exams (3
exams) |
30%
|
30%
|
| Stock Project
(written report) |
30%
|
15%
|
| EDC 920
Lesson Plans (3 lesson plans) |
|
15%
|
| Attendance
|
10%
|
10%
|
|
