Week 1 HW: Principles and Practices
Lab Documentation
Pipetting Lab
Objective: Practice accurate pipetting techniques while preparing bacterial cultures and media for in-vitro experiments.
Procedure:
- Selected appropriate pipettes and tips for working with bacterial suspensions.
- Measured and transferred culture media and bacterial samples.
- Mixed bacterial suspensions gently to avoid damaging cells.
- Changed tips between samples to prevent cross-contamination.
Challenges and Fixes:
- Initial contamination between samples due to tip reuse. Resolved by using a new tip for each transfer.
- Inconsistent volumes when aspirating viscous media; corrected by adjusting pipette speed and angle.
Reflection: Handling live bacterial cultures requires attention to both accuracy and aseptic technique. Small mistakes can lead to contamination or inconsistent results.
Class Assignment: Ethics, Governance, and Biotechnology
1. Biological Engineering Application
I am interested in developing therapeutic genetically modified bacteria to treat intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These bacteria could deliver anti-inflammatory compounds or repair gut microbiota imbalances directly in the patient’s intestine, providing targeted therapy with fewer systemic side effects.
2. Governance and Policy Goals
Primary Goal: Ensure safe, ethical, and responsible use of genetically modified bacteria in humans.
Sub-goals:
- Prevent accidental environmental release of modified strains.
- Protect patient safety and ensure informed consent.
- Promote equitable access to therapy.
- Avoid misuse of genetic engineering for non-therapeutic purposes.
3. Governance Actions
Option 1: Expanded Informed Consent
Purpose: Patients fully understand the benefits, risks, and long-term implications of therapeutic bacteria use. Design: Detailed consent forms, educational sessions, regular updates on clinical trial progress. Assumptions: Patients can comprehend genetic engineering risks and benefits. Risks: Complexity may discourage participation; consent might not cover all unforeseen long-term risks.
Option 2: Containment & Environmental Safety Regulations
Purpose: Prevent release of modified bacteria into the environment. Design: Strict lab containment protocols, tracking of bacterial strains, federal oversight for clinical use. Assumptions: Labs and clinical centers will fully comply with safety regulations. Risks: Increased administrative burden; could slow down research and trials.
Option 3: Monitoring and Reporting Systems
Purpose: Detect adverse events or misuse of therapeutic bacteria. Design: National registry of administered strains, mandatory adverse event reporting, centralized monitoring database. Assumptions: Healthcare providers consistently report issues. Risks: Data privacy concerns; administrative overhead.
| Does the option: | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance Biosecurity | High | High | High |
| • By preventing incidents | High | Mediu | Low |
| • By helping respond | Medium | High | Low |
| Foster Lab Safety | High | High | Medium |
| • By preventing incident | High | Medium | Low |
| • By helping respond | Medium | High | Medium |
| Protect the environment | Medium | Medium | Low |
| • By preventing incidents | Medium | Medium | Low |
| • By helping respond | Low | Medium | Low |
| Other considerations | |||
| • Minimizing costs and burdens to stakeholders | Medium | Low | High |
| • Feasibility? | High | Medium | High |
| • Not impede research | Medium | Low | High |
| • Promote constructive applications | High | Medium | Medium |