Glossaries
5.
section 5.1 |
appendix 1
Context and process
Section contents
5.
Glossaries
200
5.1

Glossary of technical terms 201
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 1
Section 5: Glossaries
| H1 | p201
Royal Commission on Genetic M odification | Report Appendix 1
5.1 Glossary of technical
terms
This glossary of technical terms indicates the source of the definition. It presents,
in some instances, more than one definition of a term, with the second entry
providing an expanded explanation. Expanded definitions may also focus on the
application of the terms in the field of genetic modification rather than in their
widest context. Entries have been edited to conform with report style if necessary.
Some entries, marked [New Zealand], provide an explanation particularly applicable
to New Zealand circumstances.
allergen
A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Waiter, there's a Gene in My Food
also allergic reaction, allergy: an exaggerated physical response to some
antigen, typically a common environmental substance, that produces little or
no response in the general population, resulting when histamine or histamine-
like substances are released from injured cells. It involves various respiratory
and dermatological symptoms, such as sneezing or itching.
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology
also allergenicity: Ability to induce various types of allergic responses (also
known as hypersensitivity responses).
Virology/Immunology
amino acid
The basic subunit of a protein, coded by triplets of bases in the DNA
blueprint. There are 20 amino acids universally found in proteins.
Bernie May
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Section 5: Glossaries
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
The fundamental building blocks of a protein molecule. A protein is
composed of a chain of hundreds or thousands of amino acids. Our bodies
can synthesise most of the amino acids. However, eight amino acids (called
"essential amino acids") must be obtained from food.
About Biotechnology
antibiotic resistance
The ability of a bacterium to synthesise a protein that neutralises an
antibiotic.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
also antibiotic resistance genes: Genes in a microorganism that confer
resistance to antibiotics, for example by coding for enzymes that destroy it, by
coding for surface proteins that prevent it from entering the microorganism,
or by being a mutant form of the antibiotic's target so that it can ignore it.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
antibody
A protein produced in response to the presence of a specific antigen.
About Biotechnology
antigen
A usually protein or carbohydrate substance (as a toxin or enzyme) capable of
stimulating an immune response.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
aquaculture
The cultivation of the natural produce of water (as fish or shellfish).
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
1. The cultivation of aquatic plants and animals for human food consumption
or other human use.
2. Specifically, freshwater cultivation, as opposed to marine cultivation
(mariculture).
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology
autoimmune
A condition where the body's immune system is unable to distinguish between
foreign particles and the body's own cells and as a result attacks normal body
tissue.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
bacteriophage
see phage
Section 5: Glossaries
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biocontrol, biological control
The use of one organism to control the population size of another organism.
About Biotechnology
The agricultural use of living things, such as parasites, diseases, and predators,
to control or eliminate others, such as weeds and pests, rather than by using
chemicals (herbicides and pesticides).
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
biodiversity, biological diversity
The existence of a wide range of different types of organisms in a given place
at a given time.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
The variability among living organisms from all sources including, among
other things, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species,
between species and of ecosystems.
World Foundation for Environment and Development
also biodiversity prospecting or `bioprospecting': The search for useful
genetic and biochemical compounds and materials and related information in
nature.
bioinformatics
The newly developed computer-based discipline that organises biological
data, particularly genetic data.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
The use of computers in solving information problems in the life sciences;
mainly, it involves the creation of extensive electronic databases on genomes,
protein sequences, etc. Secondarily, it involves techniques such as the three-
dimensional modelling of biomolecules and biological systems.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
biomedicine
Medicine based on the application of the principles of the natural sciences and
especially biology and biochemistry.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
also biomedical engineering: The use of engineering technology,
instrumentation and methods to solve medical problems, such as improving
our understanding of physiology and the manufacture of artificial limbs and
organs.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
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bioremediation
The use of plants or microorganisms to clean up pollution or to solve other
environmental problems.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
biosecurity
The protection of people and natural resources from unwanted organisms
capable of causing harm.
Environmental Performance Indicators Programme
[New Zealand] The cost effective protection of any natural resources from
organisms capable of causing unwanted harm. The Biosecurity Act 1993 is the
main act dealing with biosecurity issues. It has resulted in changes to the way
biosecurity is managed and viewed.
Previously, pest management largely had an agricultural or horticultural focus.
But this tended to overlook other pests, like environmental pests. With the
passing of the Biosecurity Act, when we now talk about biosecurity pests, we
mean a wide range of organisms that are harmful, not only to production
industries, but also to the environment (including the land, freshwater and
marine environments, as well as to people). That includes undesirable animals,
undesirable plants such as weeds, and organisms that attack animals and plants
(including disease-causing microorganisms).
MAF Rural Bulletin May 1999
biotechnology
Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms,
or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific
use.
World Foundation for Environment and Development
The industrial use of living organisms or biological techniques developed
through basic research. Biotechnology products include antibiotics, insulin,
interferon, recombinant DNA, and techniques such as waste recycling. Much
older forms of biotechnology include breadmaking, cheesemaking and brewing
wine and beer.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
carbohydrate
Any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars,
starches, and celluloses), most of which are formed by green plants and which
constitute a major class of animal foods.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Section 5: Glossaries
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Royal Commission on Genetic M odification | Report Appendix 1
chromosome
Structure containing DNA and proteins in the cell nucleus.
Bernie May
Components in a cell that contain genetic information. Each chromosome
contains numerous genes. Chromosomes occur in pairs: one obtained from
the mother; the other from the father. Chromosomes of different pairs are
often visibly different from each other.
About Biotechnology
clone
(of DNA): An identical copy. The term may be applied to a fragment of DNA,
a plasmid that contains a single fragment of DNA, or a bacterium that contains
such a plasmid.
(of animal): An identical offspring, generally created by transfer of an identical
nucleus into a recipient egg.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
(1) To insert a piece of DNA into a vector for subsequent amplification and
isolation of that specific piece;
(2) A piece of DNA composed of a vector and its insert.
Bernie May
also cloning vector: Biological carriers such as plasmids, bacteriophages, or
cosmids used to amplify an inserted DNA sequence.
Bernie May
containment
(biological): Containment based on a biological barrier that prevents the
transmission or escape of an organism.
(physical): Containment achieved by the control of access, restriction of air
circulation, and/or the provision of other secure physical barriers.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
also containment facility: [New Zealand] A place approved in accordance with
section 39 of the Biosecurity Act, for holding organisms that should not
become established in New Zealand.
MAF Biosecurity Authority
copyright
The exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell the matter and form
(as of a literary, musical, or artistic work).
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
p206 |
Section 5: Glossaries
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
cultivar
A cultivated plant or animal that has no known wild ancestor.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
A variety of plant produced through selective breeding by humans and
maintained by cultivation.
The Genomics Lexicon
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the chemical at the centre of the cells of living things
which controls the structure and purpose of each cell and carries genetic
information during reproduction.
Cambridge International Dictionary of English
A nucleic acid that constitutes the genetic material of all cellular organisms
and the DNA viruses; DNA replicates and controls through messenger RNA
the inheritable characteristics of all organisms. A molecule of DNA is made up
of two parallel twisted chains of alternating units of phosphoric acid and
deoxyribose, linked by crosspieces of the purine bases and the pyrimidine
bases, resulting in a right-handed helical structure, that carries genetic
information encoded in the sequence of the bases.
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology
ecosystem
The complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as
an ecological unit.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
enzymes
Proteins that control the various steps in all chemical reactions.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
Any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and
catalyse specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
also restriction enzyme: any of various enzymes that break DNA into
fragments at specific sites in the interior of the molecule - called also
restriction endonuclease.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
expression (gene)
The process by which proteins are made from the instructions encoded in
DNA.
NHGRI Glossary of Genetic Terms
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The process by which a gene's coded information is converted into the
structures present and operating in the cell. Expressed genes include those
that are transcribed into mRNA and then translated into protein and those
that are transcribed into RNA but not translated into protein (eg, transfer and
ribosomal RNAs).
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
field trial
A trial of a new product in actual situations for which it is intended.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
gene
A unit of hereditary information. A gene is a section of a DNA molecule that
specifies the production of a particular protein.
About Biotechnology
A locus on a chromosome that encodes a specific protein or several related
proteins. It is considered the functional unit of heredity.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
gene construct
A sequence of genes made by joining several genes together artificially in the
laboratory.
Genewatch
gene knockout
Inactivation of specific genes. Knockouts are often created in laboratory
organisms such as yeast or mice so that scientists can study the knockout
organism as a model for a particular disease.
NHGRI Glossary of Genetic Terms
gene product
The protein produced by a gene.
The Genomics Lexicon
gene therapy
The process of introducing new genes into the DNA of ... cells to correct a
genetic disease or flaw. (1) Human gene therapy: Insertion of normal DNA
directly into cells to correct a genetic defect. (2) Somatic cell gene therapy:
The repair or replacement of a defective gene within somatic tissue.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
(3) Germ-line (gene) therapy: The repair or replacement of a defective gene
within the gamete-forming tissues, which produces a heritable change in an
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Section 5: Glossaries
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
organism's genetic constitution.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
gene transfer
The transfer of genes into a cell by any of a number of different methods
available.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
Insertion of unrelated DNA into the cells of an organism. There are many
different reasons for gene transfer: for example, attempting to treat disease by
supplying patients with therapeutic genes. There are also many possible ways
to transfer genes. Most involve the use of a vector, such as a specially modified
virus that can take the gene along when it enters the cell.
NHGRI Glossary of Genetic Terms
genetic code
The way genetic information is stored in living organisms.
About Biotechnology
The biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that
determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and appear to be
uniform for all known forms of life.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
genetic engineering (GE)
see genetic modification
genetic marker
A usually dominant gene or trait that serves especially to identify genes or
traits linked with it.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
A segment of DNA with an identifiable physical location on a chromosome
and whose inheritance can be followed. A marker can be a gene, or it can be
some section of DNA with no known function. Because DNA segments that
lie near each other on a chromosome tend to be inherited together, markers
are often used as indirect ways of tracking the inheritance pattern of a gene
that has not yet been identified, but whose approximate location is known.
NHGRI Glossary of Genetic Terms
genetic modification (GM)
Altering the genetic material of cells or organisms in order to make them
capable of making new substances or performing new functions.
The Genomics Lexicon
Section 5: Glossaries
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Royal Commission on Genetic M odification | Report Appendix 1
The technique of removing, modifying or adding genes to a DNA molecule
in order to change the information it contains. By changing this information,
genetic engineering changes the type or amount of proteins an organism is
capable of producing.
About Biotechnology
Note: for purposes of the Commission, the term "genetic modification" is
defined in the Warrant establishing the Commission (see page 159).
genetically modified organism (GMO)
Organisms that have had genes from other species inserted into their genome.
Functional Genomics Glossary
An organism whose genome has been altered by the inclusion of foreign
genetic material. This may be derived from other individuals of the same or
wholly different specifies, or of an artificial nature. Foreign genetic information
can be added to the organism during its early development and incorporated
in cells of the entire organism. Genetic information can also be added later in
development to selected portions of the organism.
Functional Genomics Glossary
genome
The total hereditary material of a cell.
About Biotechnology
The genetic complement contained in the chromosomes of a given organism,
usually the haploid chromosome state.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
also genome projects: Research and technology development efforts aimed at
mapping and sequencing some or all of the genome of human beings and
other organisms.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
genomics
The discipline involving the study of the collection of genes found in an
organism.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
The study of genomes, which includes genome mapping, gene sequencing and
gene function.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
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Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
also genomic healthcare: Healthcare which utilises advances made by the
science of genomics.
The Genomics Lexicon
also genomic library: A random collection of cloned DNA fragments
(usually in viral or cosmid vectors) that together represent virtually all of an
organism's DNA. Partial or subgenomic libraries contain only restriction
fragments of a certain size range.
Bernie May
germ cell
Reproductive cell.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
Sperm and egg cells, and their precursors. Germ cells are haploid and have
only one set of chromosomes (23 in all), while all other cells have two copies
(46 in all).
The Genomics Lexicon
glyphosate
A white compound, C
3
H
8
NO
5
P, that is soluble in water, used as a broad-
spectrum herbicide.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
herbicide
Any substance that is toxic to plants; usually used to kill specific unwanted
plants.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
Any agent, either organic or inorganic, used to destroy unwanted vegetation,
especially weeds and grasses; selective herbicides eliminate weeds without
destroying desirable crop or garden plants; nonselective herbicides destroy all
vegetation in the given area.
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology
horizontal gene transfer
The transfer of genes or genetic material directly from one individual to
another by processes similar to infection. It is distinct from the normal process
of vertical gene transfer - from parents to offspring - which occurs in
reproduction. Natural agents exist which can transfer genes horizontally
between individuals. These are viruses, many of which cause diseases, and
other pieces of parasitic genetic material, called plasmids and transposons,
many of which carry and spread antibiotic and drug resistance genes. These
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are able to get into cells and then make use of the cell's resources to multiply
many copies or to jump into (as well as out of) the cell's genome. The natural
agents are limited by species barriers, so that for example, pig viruses will
infect pigs, but not human beings, and cauliflower viruses will not attack
tomatoes. However, genetic engineers make artificial vectors (carriers of
genes) by combining parts of the most infectious natural agents, with their
disease-causing functions removed or disabled, and design them to overcome
species barriers, so the same vector may now transfer, say, human genes, which
are spliced into the vector, into the cells of all other mammals, or cells of
plants.
ngin (Norfolk Genetic Information Network)
immunotherapy
(1) A medical technique for stimulating a patient's immune system to attack
and destroy disease-causing cells (viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, etc)
(2) A type of medical treatment which includes a combination of
immunopotentiator and immunosuppressant agents, desensitisation to any
allergens, bone marrow transplants, and thymus implantations.
Biotech Life Sciences Dictionary
`in silico'
In or by means of a computer simulation.
World Wide Words
intellectual property
Useful artistic and industrial information and knowledge.
International Law Dictionary and Directory
That area of the law involving patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets,
and plant variety protection.
Shaping Genes
marker genes
Genes that identify which plants [or animals] have been successfully
transformed.
About Biotechnology
metabolic disease
An inherited enzyme abnormality.
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases.
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mRNA (messenger RNA)
The class of RNA molecules that copies the genetic information from DNA,
in the nucleus, and carries it to ribosomes, in the cytoplasm, where it is
translated into protein.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
mutagenesis
The occurrence or induction of mutation.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
The introduction of permanent heritable changes (ie, mutations) into the
DNA of an organism. In the case of site-directed mutagenesis, the substitution
or modification of a single amino acid at a defined location in a protein is
performed by changing one or more base pairs in the DNA using recombinant
DNA technology.
Functional Genomics Glossary
nutraceutical
Any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health
benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. [Note:
"Nutraceutical" and "nutriceutical" are frequently used interchangeably.]
Nutraceutical Alliance
nutriceutical
Nutriceutical is a term derived from the words `nutrition' and `pharmaceutical'.
A nutriceutical is a product that combines food and an active ingredient such
as a drug or a vitamin or some other chemical substance. These products are
on the leading edge of development and are a nineties phenomenon. [Note:
"Nutraceutical" and "nutriceutical" are frequently used interchangeably.]
ScienceNet
oleic acid
An oily liquid, C
17
H
33
COOH, occurring in animal and vegetable oils and used
in making soap.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
organic
Of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of
feed or fertiliser of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically
formulated fertilisers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Section 5: Glossaries
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Royal Commission on Genetic M odification | Report Appendix 1
organism
An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
Waiter, there's a Gene in My Food
patent
Title by which a government grants the exclusive right to make use of an
invention for a fixed time period.
Money Words
pesticide
A chemical which is used to kill unwanted organisms such as rats, insects,
nematodes, etc. Pesticides often act as nerve poisons, and they are hazardous
to animals and humans (some pesticides can cause nerve or liver damage, birth
defects and cancer).
Biotech Life Sciences Dictionary
A substance that kills harmful organisms (for example, an insecticide or
fungicide).
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
phage, bacteriophage
A virus for which the natural host is a bacterial cell. Used as a vector for
cloning segments of DNA.
Functional Genomics Glossary
(Bacteriophage) A virus that parasitises bacteria. It initiates infection by
attaching itself by its tail to the wall of bacterial cell. Through enzyme action
the bacteria wall is perforated and the bacteriophage DNA or RNA passes
through into bacterial cell. It uses the cell's machinery to make more
bacteriophage DNA and bacteriophages, which are released by breakage of
the bacterial cell.
A Dictionary of Biology
phenotype
The observable characteristics of a genetically controlled trait.
Marine Biological Laboratory
The observable characteristics of an organism as opposed to the set of genes it
possesses (its genotype).The phenotype that an organism manifests is a result
of both genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, organisms with the
same genotype may display different phenotypes due to environmental
factors. Conversely, organisms with the same phenotypes may have different
genotypes.
About Biotechnology
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Plant Variety Rights
[New Zealand] A grant of Plant Variety Rights for a new plant variety gives the
holder the exclusive right to produce for sale and to sell propagating material
of the variety. In the case of vegetatively propagated fruit and ornamental
varieties Plant Variety Rights gives the holder the additional exclusive right
to propagate the protected variety for the purpose of the commercial
production of fruit, flowers or other products of the variety.
Plant Variety Rights Office
plasmid
A small, circular piece of DNA found outside the chromosome in bacteria.
Plasmids are the principal tools for inserting new genetic information into
microorganisms or plants.
About Biotechnology
A structure composed of DNA that is separate from the cell's genome. In
bacteria, plasmids confer a variety of traits and can be exchanged between
individuals - even those of different species. Plasmids can be manipulated in
the laboratory to deliver specific genetic sequences into a cell.
The Genomics Lexicon
protein
A biological molecule which consists of many amino acids chained together by
peptide bonds. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is determined by the
sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. As the chain of amino acids is
being synthesised, it is also folded into higher order structures shaped, for
example, like helices or like flat sheets. Proteins are required for the structure,
function, and regulation of cells, tissues, and organs in the body.
The Genomics Lexicon
proteomics
The new discipline that aims to identify and characterise all the proteins
present in a cell.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
recombinant DNA
DNA molecules that have been created by combining DNA from more than
one source.
The Genomics Lexicon
Recombinant DNA is a fragment of DNA incorporated artificially into the
DNA molecule of a suitable vector so that it can express itself many times.
This way a large quantity of the DNA in question can be obtained. The DNA
Section 5: Glossaries
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is usually one that contains genes of interest, such as interferon, insulin, or
growth hormone. The DNA may also be intended to fix mutated genes
causing diseases, such as haemophilia or sickle cell anaemia. The vector could
be plasmids, bacteriophages, and cosmids (packaged plasmid DNA into a
phage particle).
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
also recombinant clones: Clones containing recombinant DNA molecules.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary
also recombinant DNA technology: The technology upon which genetic
engineering or genetic modification is based. The process involves DNA
being joined together in novel combinations.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
sequencing
Determining the order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule, or
determining the order of amino acids in a protein.
The Genomics Lexicon
service mark
A mark or device used to identify a service (as transportation or insurance)
offered to customers.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
A word, phrase, logo, symbol, color, sound or smell used by a business to
identify a service and distinguish it from those of its competitors. If the
business uses the name or logo to identify a product, such as a camera, it is
called a trademark. In practice, the legal protections for trademarks and
service marks are identical.
Nolo
terminator technology
The current popular term applying to the methods used to render plant seeds
sterile and unable to germinate.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
trademark
Symbol, logo, or design that legally identifies a business or its product.
Money Words
A word, phrase, logo, symbol, color, sound or smell used by a business to
identify a product and distinguish it from those of its competitors. If the
business uses the name or logo to identify a service, such as photo copying, it
p216 |
Section 5: Glossaries
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
is called a service mark. In practice, the legal protections for trademarks and
service marks are identical.
Nolo
transformation
A change in the genetic structure of an organism as a result of the uptake and
incorporation of foreign DNA.
About Biotechnology
transgene
A gene transferred to a recipient organism using recombinant technology.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
transgenic
An organism that has been genetically engineered to contain the genes from
another species.
Waiter, there's a Gene in My Food
An organism whose genome has been altered by the inclusion of foreign
genetic material. This foreign genetic material may be derived from other
individuals of the same species or from wholly different species. Genetic
material may also be of an artificial nature. Foreign genetic information can be
added to the organism during its early development and incorporated in cells
of the entire organism. As an example, mice embryos have been given the gene
for rat growth hormone allowing mice to grow into large adults. Genetic
information can also be added later in development to selected portions of the
organism. As an example, experimental genetic therapy to treat cystic fibrosis
involves selective addition of genes responsible for lung function and is
administered directly to the lung tissue of children and adults.
The Genomics Lexicon
transposon
A [DNA] sequence that can move about in the genome of an organism.
Marine Biological Laboratory
A segment of DNA flanked by transposable elements that is capable of moving
its location in the genome.
Bernie May
vaccine
A preparation of dead or weakened pathogen, or of derived antigenic
determinants, that is used to induce formation of antibodies or immunity
against the pathogen.
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary
Section 5: Glossaries
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Royal Commission on Genetic M odification | Report Appendix 1
vector
An organism or a biological molecule used to transfer material to a different
organism or cell. In genetic modification, this refers to an organism,
bacterium or plasmid able to transfer DNA.
The Current Uses of Genetic Modification
A self-replicating DNA molecule that exists with, but is separate from the
genome of the host cell. Many different vectors have been identified and
genetically engineered for use in molecular biology. DNA inserted into a
vector will be replicated along with the vector. In this manner, DNA of
interest can be obtained in large quantities, ie, cloned. For example, the
human insulin gene can be cloned into the plasmid vector pBr 322 which, in
turn, will replicate in E. coli cultures.
Bernie May
also cloning vector: DNA molecule originating from a virus, a plasmid, or the
cell of a higher organism into which another DNA fragment of appropriate
size can be integrated without loss of the vector's capacity for self-replication;
vectors introduce foreign DNA into host cells, where it can be reproduced in
large quantities. Examples are plasmids, cosmids, and yeast artificial
chromosomes; vectors are often recombinant molecules containing DNA
sequences from several sources.
The Genomics Lexicon
virus
An infectious agent composed of a single type of nucleic acid, DNA or RNA,
enclosed in a coat of protein. Viruses can multiply only within living cells.
About Biotechnology
Viruses consist of a piece of nucleic acid covered by protein. Viruses can only
reproduce by infecting a cell and using the cell's mechanisms for self-
replication. They can cause disease; modified viruses can also be used as a tool
in gene therapy to introduce new DNA into a cell's genome.
The Genomics Lexicon
xenotransplant
Transplantation of tissue or organs between organisms of different species,
genus, or family. A common example is the use of pig heart valves in humans.
The Genomics Lexicon
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Section 5: Glossaries
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
References and sources of information
Sources of definitions for the glossary of technical terms are usually listed by the
title of the book or web resource rather than by author. Web addresses applied in
April­May 2000.
A Dictionary of Biology. Abercrombie, M, Hickman, CJ, Johnson, ML. 1973 (6th edn).
Penguin Books.
About Biotechnology. North Carolina Biotechnology Center. http://www.ncbiotech.org/
aboutbt/glossary.cfm
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology. Harcourt, Inc. http://
www.harcourt.com/dictionary/def/3/1/5/7/3157200.html
An Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Annotated Dictionary. Allender-
Hagedorn, S. Hagedorn, C. http://filebox.vt.edu/cals/cses/chagedor/glossary.html
Bernie May, see May, B.
BioTech Life Sciences Dictionary. http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-
search.phtml
Cambridge International Dictionary of English. 2000. Cambridge University Press.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Environmental Performance Indicators Programme. Glossary of terms. Ministry of the
Environment. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/monitoring/epi/sigfeb08.htm
Functional Genomics Glossary. http://www.healthtech.com/glossaries/content/
functional%20genomics%20gloss.htm
Genewatch. Glossary. http://www.genewatch.org/genesrch/Glossary.htm#Gene
International Law Dictionary and Directory. http://august1.com/pubs/dict/i.htm
MAF Biosecurity Authority. Standard 154.03.02. Containment Facilities for
Microorganisms. http://www.maf.govt.nz/Standards/anbio/tandcstd/micro.pdf
MAF Rural Bulletin, May 1999. http://www.maf.govt.nz/MAFnet/publications/
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