The main purpose of the Mayo Clinic experiment was a. to reduce the symptoms of HIV in cats b. to make cats immune to FIV c. to make cats glow in the dark
The antiviral gene came from a. monkeys b. jellyfish c. mice
The goal of the “glow” gene was a. to make the experiment more interesting for the researchers b. to attract media attention and raise money for HIV c. to test the results of the antiviral gene
Discussion/essay questions
Weird science experiments often make the news. Have you heard any other stories of strange or unusual experiments?
Transcript
In 2011, scientists at the Mayo Clinic began an experiment. They were trying to use a gene to prevent feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, in cats. FIV is genetically similar to HIV in humans. If scientists could use genetic engineering to make cats immune to FIV, they might also be able to reduce human deaths from HIV and AIDS. The scientists modified cat eggs with an antiviral gene from monkeys. They paired this gene with a jellyfish gene that causes bioluminescence, which is a natural ability to glow in the dark. The goal of the “glow” gene was to help the scientists test their results. If the kittens glowed, the scientists would know that the antiviral gene had been activated. The experiment created three glow-in-the-dark cats with cells that showed immunity to FIV. These cats also passed both genes on to their own kittens.
In 1901, Karl Landsteiner noticed that mixing blood from two donors caused cells to a. repel each other b. clump together c. change colour
Blood type is determined by a. bacteria b. diet c. genetics
The blood type that blood banks need the most of is a. O-negative b. O-positive c. AB-positive
Discussion/essay questions
Have you ever donated blood? Why or why not? If you have, would you do it again?
Many people have difficulty with blood donations or blood tests. Sometimes it is because of a fear of needles, or a fear of seeing blood. Do you get nervous about blood draws? Why do you think this fear is so common?
Transcript
For most of history, blood transfusions were very risky procedures. In 1901, a biologist named Karl Landsteiner noticed that cells clumped together when he mixed blood from two different donors. Antigens in the blood were causing the cells to fight each other. Landsteiner was the first to classify blood into groups based on antigens. The four main blood groups are A, B, AB, and O. Type A blood has the A antigen, type B blood has the B antigen, type AB blood has both, and type O blood has neither. Blood type is also classified as “positive” or “negative” according to a protein called the Rh factor. Positive blood types have the Rh protein, while negative ones do not. Blood types are genetic. Globally, the most common blood type is O-positive. However, O-negative blood is the highest priority for blood banks. This is because anyone can receive O-negative blood in an emergency.
