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A woman recently conceived Britain’s first baby guaranteed to be free from hereditary breast cancer - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 23 - 2009 - Paper 1
Question 23
A woman recently conceived Britain’s first baby guaranteed to be free from hereditary breast cancer. Doctors screened for an embryo that was free from a gene that ca... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A woman recently conceived Britain’s first baby guaranteed to be free from hereditary breast cancer - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 23 - 2009 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain the possible impact of this reproductive technology on the genetic composition of the population.
Answer
The widespread use of reproductive technology, such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), can lead to significant changes in the genetic composition of the population. If families consistently choose embryos that are free from hereditary cancer genes, over time, the prevalence of these harmful genes may decrease in the population. This could result in a lower incidence of breast cancer, contributing to overall healthier population genetics.
However, it may also lead to ethical concerns regarding genetic selection, where preferences for certain traits could skew the genetic diversity of future generations.
Step 2
Describe the potential impact of the use of reproductive technologies on the path of evolution using ONE named plant or animal that has been genetically altered.
Answer
One example of a genetically altered organism is the Bt corn plant, which has been modified to express a bacterial protein that is toxic to certain pests. This alteration allows the plant to survive in environments that would otherwise be detrimental due to pest infestations.
The impact of such technology on the path of evolution includes the potential for selective pressures on pest populations, leading to the development of resistance against the Bt toxin. This could create a cycle of dependency on genetically modified crops and influence the evolutionary trajectory of both the corn plant and the pest species, potentially reducing biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems.