Answer to Question #199541 in Genetics for Sam

Question

Research the strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of genetic technologies (DNA extraction, DNA amplification, gel electrophoresis, and transformation of cells) to speculate, in an informed manner, about specific future uses of generic engineering technologies. Your counterarguments must include discussion of the reliability and validity of the use of the technologies.

Answer 1

1. DNA extraction

It has shown its strength and advantage in areas such as medical diagnosis where medical conditions like hemophilia A can be tested. It provides verification of DNA in forensic.

The disadvantage and weakness is that animals cloned generally die sooner than natural counterparts and there is risk of complications or death.

It is unreliable as survival rate low.

It is valid as it is used in testing if a person is suffering from a medical condition and also helps exonerate a falsely accused person of a crime.

2. DNA amplification

Advantage- it can be amplified million times to be able to analyze them.

Disadvantage- DNA can be easily altered.

Strength- it amplifies genes associated with genetic disorders from a fetal DNA during prenatal pregnancy.

Weakness- DNA polymerase used in prone to error and can lead to generation of mutations.

It is reliable. It is used in research and clinical diagnostics

It is valid as genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia can be diagonized.

3.Gel electrophoresis

Advantage- it is easily processed.

Disadvantage- it has limited sample analysis as samples taken are specific.

Strength- it does not denature the DNA samples and also can be recovered without any harm to it.

Weakness- it only visualises certain molecules. Small molecules cannot be measured.

Validity- it is used in development and research laboratories.

Reliability- it yields accurate results with great confidence and if an error occurs, it can be minimised with proper preparations and handling.

4. Cell Transformation

In genetic engineering, transformation has been used to make large amounts of specific human proteins,for example, human insulin, which can be used to treat people with type I diabetes. However it is important and good in some circumstances, it is not reliable as studies have shown that survival rate is low under cell transformation.