What would happen if you create an organism with all junk DNA spliced out?

In summary, it is uncertain if removing all of the "junk" DNA from a mouse or yeast would result in a viable organism. Removal of the "junk" DNA may not have any effect on the organism, or it may have a negative effect. The experiment to determine if removing all of the "junk" DNA is really "junk" would be difficult to carry out.
  • #1
ensabah6
695
0
What would happen if you create an organism with all junk DNA spliced out?
While some introns are needed, it appears most DNA does not serve any function. Could a viable yeast or mouse be created with all junk DNA taken out?
 
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  • #2
I guess that would be the experiment to determine if it's really junk, or just that the function hasn't yet been identified. The obvious technical difficulty of attempting such an experiment should be sufficient to explain why it has not been done, and thus there is not an answer to your question.
 
  • #3
Yea, I believe most of the "junk" only appears that way. It is more probable that the DNA has a very complex function and we simply have not discovered it.
 
  • #4
A lot of the "junk" DNA really is junk from our point of view. For example, there are lots of highly repetitive transposon related sequences. Also, there are pseudogenes, the remnants of genes that have been mutated to nonfunctionality but remain present in the genome. There are many examples of such junk in the genome.

Of course this is not to say that some of the "junk" DNA doesn't serve some function we have not yet discovered...
 
  • #5
That organism would most likely not develope and therefore would not be a viable life-form.
I dislike the term "junk" DNA. Just because a section of DNA is not translated into protein does not mean it serves no purpose at all. Many regulatory elements that play a role in gene expression are located in these areas.

When you compare exons only, a chimpanzee is less than 1% divergent from a human. Obviously there must be much more going on to account for the difference between the two species.
 
  • #6
dtl42 said:
Yea, I believe most of the "junk" only appears that way. It is more probable that the DNA has a very complex function and we simply have not discovered it.

An organism only evolves to have the DNA it has because that is all it needs to survive. Just because it is there and we don't know it's purpose doesn't mean it is "junk."

http://discovermagazine.com/2007/may/big-love
 
  • #7
more genes means more potential. so why remove old ones if you are not 110% certain of its use. we may have mapped the human genome but that does not mean we know what the heck we're dealing with.
 
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  • #8
As a genomics layman, I wonder if there is some benefit to having different genes transcribed at specific time intervals and also at a specific distance from one another. Speaking hypothetically, some of the 'junk' DNA might also serve as 'evolutionary potential.' This could result in a species having greater adaptability over time.
 

Related to What would happen if you create an organism with all junk DNA spliced out?

1. What is junk DNA?

Junk DNA refers to regions of DNA that do not code for proteins or have any known function. These sequences were once thought to be non-functional remnants of evolutionary processes, but recent studies have shown that some junk DNA may play a role in gene regulation and other cellular processes.

2. What would happen if all junk DNA was removed from an organism?

It is currently unknown what the exact consequences would be if all junk DNA was removed from an organism. However, it is likely that it would have a significant impact on the organism's development, function, and overall survival. Some studies have shown that the removal of certain junk DNA sequences can result in changes in gene expression and development, while others have shown minimal effects.

3. Could removing junk DNA improve an organism's health or abilities?

It is possible that removing certain junk DNA sequences could have positive effects on an organism's health or abilities. For example, if a specific junk DNA sequence is found to be causing a genetic disorder, removing it could potentially improve the organism's health. However, not all junk DNA is harmful, and some may have important functions that are not yet fully understood.

4. Is it ethical to manipulate an organism's DNA in this way?

The ethical implications of manipulating an organism's DNA, including removing junk DNA, are a complex and ongoing topic of discussion. Some argue that it is necessary for scientific advancement and has the potential to benefit human health, while others raise concerns about potential unintended consequences and the ethical considerations of altering an organism's genetic makeup.

5. Could this lead to creating a "perfect" organism?

It is unlikely that removing junk DNA alone could result in a "perfect" organism. Many factors, including environmental influences, play a role in an organism's development and function. Additionally, the concept of a "perfect" organism is subjective and raises ethical concerns about genetic engineering and the value placed on certain traits or characteristics.

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