Biotechnology is a large scientific field that uses research tools from chemistry and biology to study or solve problems, including human disease. Biotechnologies may be used to study the genetic material of viruses and bacteria to determine whether a disease is caused by particular disease-producing agents. Its techniques are also used to understand how genetic factors contribute to human disease. The information gathered in research can be used to develop diagnostic tests that enable speedy detection and identification of a disease so that an appropriate treatment can be developed. It can also help doctors screen their patients' genomes (all of an organism's genes) for existing diseases or a predisposition for diseases such as cancer.The standards for the Biotechnology Research and Development Pathway and related courses apply to occupations and functions in biotechnology research and development that apply primarily to human health. The standards specify the knowledge and skills common to occupations in this pathway. Students participating in a strong, industy-driven Biotechnology program can expect to conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Additionally, students may use extended technologies to design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information pertinent to this field.

Before this lesson, students should have an understanding of how DNA fingerprinting is completed.  During this lesson, students will use scaffolded questions to analyze text (2 weblinks) about DNA evidence exonerating wrongfully convicted people and the injustices involved in the original convictions.  The text analysis and questions provide a basis for the seminar that follows.

Students will explore hybridization, selective breeding and genetic engineering through a jigsaw approach. Then they will go through a series of articles that help them formulate their own opinions about genetic manipulation. Lastly, they will debate the merits of genetic manipulation as a class.

Students will explore the concept of genetic disease through the lenses of inheritance, natural selection, and genetic modification and gene therapy. Students will develop an understanding of connections between these concepts and be able to explain these connections. Finally, students will create a "Ted Talk" style video that other students will watch to learn about a specific genetic disease.

Applying gene therapy to glioblastoma appears to be a very promising treatment, say researchers. Tests in vitro and in vivo on mice provided very clear-cut results, and modelling demonstrates that the treatment targets at least six different points of tumor metabolism. Gene therapy, a technique that selectively attacks a tumor, might provide hope in the fight against this type of deadly cancer, for which surgery is practically impossible and chemo- and radiotherapy are ineffective against very aggressive recurrences.

How can science make our lives better? Students will share ideas on altering DNA.