The HSC Biology Podcast

This episode covers the following:

Evaluate the effect on biodiversity of using biotechnology in agriculture.

Interpret a range of secondary sources to assess the influence of social, economic and cultural contexts on a range of biotechnologies.

This weeks article is about the current state of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and the social and ethical concerns that are being raised. 

Investigate the uses and advantages of current genetic technologies that induce genetic change

Compare the processes and outcomes of reproductive technologies, including but not limited to:

- artificial insemination

- artificial pollination

Investigate and assess the effectiveness of cloning, including but not limited to:

-       whole organism cloning

-       gene cloning

Describe techniques and applications used in recombinant DNA technology, for example:

- the development of transgenic organisms in agricultural and medical applications(ACSBL087)

This episode goes through 'Gene Drives'. This is biotechnology designed to ensure favourable traits pass through a population. 

Key Point

This article is about the use of a second-generation CRISPR tool called 'gene editors' in order to make changes to single bases in the DNA to cure a condition called progeria. 

Investigate the uses and applications of biotechnology (past, present and future), including:(ACSBL087)

-   analysing the social implications and ethical uses of biotechnology, including plant and animal examples

-   researching future directions of the use of biotechnology

-   evaluating the potential benefits for society of research using genetic technologies

In this episode, I read through an article by Avir Mitra, on the role of viral proteins in the development of the placenta. 

Evaluate the effect of mutation, gene flow and genetic drift on the gene pool of populations.