Clarification details
Updated December 2021. This clarification has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
The purpose of clarifications
We create clarification documents to help people understand the current requirements of achievement standards. Clarifications do not introduce new criteria, change the intent of the standard, or change what we expect from assessment.
These documents unpack and explain the language and intent of the standard so people interpret and apply the standard consistently. We provide examples or guidance as illustrations only. They are not prescriptions or requirements.
For official requirements, always refer to the current version of the achievement standard as published by NZQA.
Intent
The focus of the biological implications is how humans are potentially impacting and changing the rate and direction of the evolution of the population(s) being manipulated. Ethical and economic implications are beyond the scope of the standard.
The purpose of describing human manipulations of genetic transfer (for Achieved), and explaining how humans manipulate genetic transfer (for Merit), is to demonstrate understanding by covering the range of techniques used to transfer genetic information from one generation to the next.
Laboratory protocol level detail, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cycle times and temperatures and reagents used, is not required.
Demonstrating understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer
Students are required to demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of:
- gene expression and evolutionary processes
- two human manipulations of genetic transfer from those listed in Explanatory Note 3
- the biological implications listed in Explanatory Note 4
- how molecular biology tools are used in recombinant DNA technology. For example:
- genome analysis and genomic selection methodologies
- DNA sequencing
- restriction enzymes
- gel electrophoresis
- PCR-based methodologies
- ligation
- plasmids/tumour inducing plasmids or bacteriophage vectors
- selection methodologies for the transformant
- guided nuclease-mediated gene targeting, such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9).