4.2 Genetic Modification

Recent studies have shown that cancerous tumours can be targeted using genetically engineered bacteria. Research has shown that where chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been unsuccessful in treating cancerous tumours, the answer may lie with the use of bacteria as a therapeutic agent.

A group of bacteria, called Clostridium, can be modified with a gene that causes the bacteria to produce proteins which have been shown to destroy tumours.

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Selective breeding is another method used by humans so that organisms have desirable characteristics, such as selectively breeding cows to produce large volumes of high-quality beef.

The graph in Figure 1 shows information about the mass of beef produced by cattle in Ireland from 2012 to 2022. 

Figure 1

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Some people believe that selective breeding can cause issues with inbreeding. 

The pug is an ancient breed of dog which, in recent years, has suffered from issues caused by inbreeding. 

Figure 2 shows data collected about heart failure in pugs over a 12 month period in Boston, USA.

Figure 2

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Evaluate the benefits and risks of genetic engineering and selective breeding in modern agriculture.

You should include the practical and ethical implications in your answer.

Figure 1 shows a selectively-bred bull from the variety of beef cattle known as the Belgian blue.

Figure 1

Use your knowledge of selective breeding to suggest two benefits and two drawbacks of breeding from the bull shown in Figure 1. 

The owner of the bull shown in Figure 1 is able to extract the bull's semen and sell that to other cattle breeders to allow their cows to become pregnant with this bull's offspring. This practice is called artificial insemination (AI). 

State one advantage of farmers using AI during selective breeding. 

Higher Tier only

Explain the meaning of the term 'vector' when used in genetic engineering. 

Higher Tier only

The table in Figure 5 sets out a number of steps in the production of human insulin in a process involving genetically-engineered bacteria. 

The statements are in the wrong order. 

Figure 5

Complete the table in Figure 6 to list the steps in the correct sequence.

The first step has been completed for you. 

Figure 6

Higher tier content only

Yeast cells can be genetically modified to produce a painkiller.

This painkiller is usually obtained from opium poppies.

One method for genetically modifying a yeast cell uses a plasmid containing the desired gene.

Figure 1 shows two varieties of potato plant.

New varieties of potato plant can be produced by selective breeding.

Explain how selective breeding of the two varieties of potato plants can produce new potato plants that are all faster growing and produce many, large potatoes.

Figure 1 shows a plasmid containing the human insulin gene.

Explain how the human insulin gene can be inserted into a plasmid.

Figure 1 shows some information about two types of cattle.

Figure 1

Describe how these types of cattle could be selectively bred to produce cattle that can survive high temperatures and have good meat quality.

Figure 2 shows the leaf of a wheat plant with a fungal disease.

Figure 2

Give two benefits of breeding wheat plants that are resistant to fungal disease.

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