Explain the impact that genetic technologies have had on the management of both infectious and non-infectious diseases. (7 marks)
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Non Infectious diseases
→ Down syndrome and diabetes are examples of non-infectious diseases that are not caused by pathogens and are not contagious.
→ Recombinant DNA: This technology delivers replacement genes by creating recombinant plasmids in bacteria which then multiply via binary fission.
→ This has been used to produce insulin by inserting a copy of the human insulin gene for the treatment of diabetic patients.
→ Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing: before IVF, eggs can be tested for various genetic diseases, such as down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
Infectious diseases
→ These diseases are caused by pathogens.
→ The genetic makeup of organisms can be altered to lower risk of such diseases.
→ Transgenic Organisms involve technology that combines genes from other species to incorporate certain characteristics.
→ For example, Recombinant Bt corn contains a gene that is toxic to the destructive European corn borer. This will protect the corn and reduce the occurence of the associated infectious disease in humans.
Non Infectious diseases
→ Down syndrome and diabetes are examples of non-infectious diseases that are not caused by pathogens and are not contagious.
→ Recombinant DNA: This technology delivers replacement genes by creating recombinant plasmids in bacteria which then multiply via binary fission.
→ This has been used to produce insulin by inserting a copy of the human insulin gene for the treatment of diabetic patients.
→ Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing: before IVF, eggs can be tested for various genetic diseases, such as down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
Infectious diseases
→ These diseases are caused by pathogens.
→ The genetic makeup of organisms can be altered to lower risk of such diseases.
→ Transgenic Organisms involve technology that combines genes from other species to incorporate certain characteristics.
→ For example, Recombinant Bt corn contains a gene that is toxic to the destructive European corn borer. This will protect the corn and reduce the occurence of the associated infectious disease in humans.