From the Paper
"In 1952, frogs were the first animals to be successfully cloned, but society yawned, barely noticing, this significant scientific milestone or its future implications. July 1997 provided living proof of the first mammal (sheep), named "Dolly" ever cloned from a single adult cell. Scientists in the U.K and Japan claim to have cloned pigs and bulls. Japanese researchers have actually grown in test tubes the eyes and ears of a frog using its own embryo cells. The reality of human cloning is now but a scientific inch away from permanently altering how humanity values itself. "

Tags:bioethics, genetics, science, ethics

Abstract
This paper argues in favor of genetic research. The author feels that many things that once seemed impossible now seem more possible everyday. Scientists may find a cure for cancer or other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

From the Paper
"Human gene mapping is a highly advanced scientific topic. It has many current uses, such as treatment for certain diseases, production of energy, and has helped farmers with their crops. Even with all these current uses, The Human Genome Project ultimately lies in the future. There is so much potential in this project. Through the study of genes and proteins, many of the worst diseases such as cancer may be cured. The aging process may be slowed down. There may be new, better forms of energy. People may be identified through DNA fingerprints. Ultimately, Human beings may be created to be smarter and stronger. All these ideas seem unattainable, but the truth is that they are closer to becoming reality everyday."

Tags:gene, genes, genome, human, linking, map, mapping, project

Abstract
This paper analyzes the ethical and moral issues concerning the cloning of human beings. The author touches on some aspects of cloning, how it has developed and its side-effects. The author gives an opinionated argument about the effects that cloning of human beings will have on society's perception of what it means to be a human being, as well as questions about a cloned individual's personal identity, uniqueness, and individuality.

From the Paper
"Recent news that scientists in Scotland had succeeded in cloning an adult sheep ignited a worldwide debate. Of particular concern are the ethical and social implications of the potential application of cloning techniques to produce human beings. The Scottish announcement marked the first time that researchers were able to produce an exact genetic replica of an adult animal."

Tags:cell, genetic, replica, science, identical, copy, embryo, clone, technology

Abstract
This paper examines the debate between the East and West on the issue of safety on genetically modified food. The author looks at the argument concerning the food's safety, and possible effects on the human body, labeling of such products, and how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration use modified foods.

From the Paper
"The world as we know it is divided into two parts---the secular West and the cultural East. Both have different manners of living and while the West blooms in progress the East is more restricted as it looks for the morality and values behind the progress being made. In such a division controversies like genetically-engineered food bring home the difference as both the divides through the globe argue the safety of the food-albeit on different grounds. At the heart of the debate lies the argument that as yet, the effects of genetically modified crops and products on the human body are not known. However, there is no conclusive evidence of whether or not they can be harmful.."

Tags:east, west, FDA, poison, biotechnology, risk, label, population, health

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that mutations of the BRCA1 are known to be a cause in early onset breast-ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. The writer describe and experiment that aimed to sequence the exon containing the BRCA1 gene in order to identify disease causing mutations and then clone the gene to accept or reject heterozygosity shown in the sequence on the chromatogram. Salivary DNA was collected, amplified, and sequenced so that the sequence of the chromatogram obtained could be compared with the normal sequence to identify the positions of mutations. The writer discusses that the results obtained helped identify mutations and how to find their positions so that a better understanding of gene mutations and how to find them is acquired. The writer concludes that with the growing knowledge of gene mutations this brings us one step closer to finding a cure.

Abstract
Introduction
Rationale Aims
Materials and Methods
Collection of Salivary DNA
Purification of Human Genomic DNA
PCR Amplification of Exon in the BRCA1 Gene
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis/QIAquick PCR Purification
DNA Sequencing Reactions
Sequencing Reaction Cleanup
PCR Amplicon Sequencing Analysis
Cell-Based Cloning of PCR Products (Part One)
Cell-Based Cloning of PCR Products (Part 2)
Cell-Based Cloning of PCR Products (Part 3)
PCR Amplification of Cloned Exons
Cloned Sequence Reactions
Trouble shooting
PCR
Gel Electrophoresis of PCR Trouble Shoot
Results
References

From the Paper
"The BRCA1 gene was initially discovered in 1990 by Mary-Claire King, however, it wasn't until 1994 that a team of scientists located and amplified the gene. The reason why it took so long to locate the gene was due the fact that it only accounts for only 5% of all breast Cancer Cases. The gene is 100kb long and is located on the long arm of chromosome 17 at locus q21. It is a tumor suppressor gene which, with the interaction of other tumor suppressor genes, helps repair damaged DNA and control cell growth, therefore, keeping genomic stability.
"In response to damage BRCA1 produces a product which is activated and interacts with the BRCA2 and RAD51 to repair the broken DNA. The BRCA2 gene in another gene which when mutated causes breast cancer in men and women whereas BRCA1 only causes breast cancer in women."

Tags:tumor, gene, mutation, breast, cancer, DNA

Abstract
This paper discusses the genetic engineering field of reprogenetics. It covers the history and overview of biotechnology, reprogenetics current practices (from IVF to amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling) as well as potential future possibilities as well as bioethics and its implications on society.

Outline
Introduction
Biotechnology: Overview and History
Introduction to Reprogenetics
Current Practices of Reprogenetics
The Future of Reprogenetics
Bioethics
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The future of Reprogenetics is based around Genetic Engineering of the Germline (Silver, 2000). This essentially refers to the art of modifying or adding to, the embryo, any gene imaginable and any number of genes. Genetic Engineering of the Germline would allow parents to basically design their offspring, from physical characteristics to mental capacity, realising the concept of 'designer babies'. This technology has been used with increasing efficiency on mice, pigs and sheep. However, not until recently has it been considered possible to apply it to humans. This was largely due to quite a low success rate combined with ethical questions. Powerful new modification and screening technologies could allow scientists to overcome this low success rate. The question of ethics however, may remain indefinitely."

Tags:amniocentesis, bioethics, biotechnology, cloning, eugenics, ivf

Abstract
This paper discusses the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the development of alcoholism. The paper discusses the existence of genes in individuals that appear to make them more susceptible to alcoholism. It then looks at social-cognitive factors and their influence on alcoholism. The paper then describes family, twin and adoption studies and draws conclusions.

From the Paper
"Indirectly, it is also believed that a gene that causes a disposition to depression and mood-related disorders can be transferred from a parent to a child (Westen et al., 2006). A child who inherits a vulnerability to emotional disorders may, as a result, turn to alcohol for comfort, increasing their chances of developing alcoholism."
"Twin studies have shown that in both males and females, genetic factors appear to play a role in the development of alcoholism (Miles, Silberg, Pickens, & Eaves, 2005; Prescott & Kendler, 1999). Evidence has also shown that children whose biological parents are alcoholic may respond differently physiologically to alcohol than children of non-alcoholics (Gordis, 1996, as cited in Westen et al., 2006, p. 615).
Further to this, family history studies indicate that children of alcoholics are four times as likely to become alcoholics than children of non-alcoholics (Peele, 1986, as cited in Westen et al., 2006, p. 614). However, the heredity argument for alcohol does not account for why some children of alcoholics do not become alcoholic themselves."

Tags:depression, emotional, heredity

Abstract
The paper begins with a discussion of severe arable land degradation and how genetic modification works. Various methods of genetic modification methods are provided, with references from scientific sources. The essay moves on to discuss impact of genetic engineering on maize gene pool and possible scenarios. Also mentioned is the down side of engineering plants to produce pesticides. Various fears of unknown effects from GMO are stated with case studies. Lastly, the essay addresses ethical and political reasons for and against GMO.

From the Paper
"Food is a crucial factor in supporting life on earth, but with the extremely fast rates of population growth, many wonder how long will it be before human consumption exceeds food production. Already, erosion and nutrient depletion has taken its toil on food production, with nearly 40 percent of the world's arable land seriously degraded (Robbins, 2001). In the early 1990s, a new science called Genetic Engineering came up with a possible solution."

Tags:engineering, genetic, gmo, third

Abstract
This paper provides an explanation of the genetics involved in breeding a certain color horse. Colors covered include black, chestnut, Mealy/Pangare, the dilutes, mixed patterns and the white patterns. The paper includes many photographs.

From the Paper
"The Classic Roan gene affects all the bases, modifiers and dilutes but can be masked by other white pattern genes. Roan is a color pattern caused by white hairs mixing with colored hairs. There are no "Roan" hairs on a Roan horse. The resulting physical colors are usually blue or rose (black base and chestnut base) but less common colors are pale gold and almost white. The Roan gene however will usually not affect the points."

Tags:appaloosa, bay, black, breeding, champagne, chestnut, classic, coloring, cream, dilute, dun, equine, flaxen, frame, genetics, grey, mealy, mixed, pangare, patterns, rabicano, roan, sabino, silver, smutty, sooty, splashed, tobiano, white

Abstract
In vitro fertilisation has been used for decades and allows parents and doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos. This paper investigates and rebuts the argument against genetic engineering and builds a strong case supporting 'designer babies'.

From the Paper
"An even greater and more controversial development in medical science is the technology of stem cells developed from early pre implanted human embryo, and in the near future, the ability to manipulate DNA. The new technology of stem cells will revolutionize medicine. When someone has a heart attack cells are damaged but a dose of new cells made in the lab could cure the harm. It will be possible to cure numerous cell-based diseases like juvenile-onset diabetes and Parkinson's disease, and to make organ transplants unnecessary. An American woman recently had her sight restored using eye cells harvested from stem cells. In future procedures like this could enhance the quality of life of humankind."

Tags:cloning, fertilisation, genetics, vitro, in, dna, disease