Transgenic Animals

Definition

Transgenic animals are genetically modified organisms that have had a foreign gene inserted into their genome, allowing them to express new traits or characteristics. This technology is used to study gene function and develop animal models for human diseases, as well as for agricultural improvements and the production of pharmaceuticals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Transgenic animals are created using techniques like microinjection of DNA into fertilized eggs, which leads to the integration of the new gene into their DNA.
2. They are widely used in biomedical research to understand diseases and test potential treatments, providing insights that may be applicable to humans.
3. Some transgenic animals have been developed to produce proteins or hormones for medical use, such as insulin or clotting factors, which can be harvested from their milk.
4. Agricultural applications include creating livestock that are more resistant to diseases or have improved growth rates, which can benefit food production.
5. Ethical considerations regarding the welfare of transgenic animals and potential impacts on ecosystems are ongoing discussions in the scientific community.

Review Questions

• How does the process of creating transgenic animals contribute to advancements in biomedical research?
  • Creating transgenic animals allows scientists to introduce specific genes that can model human diseases, making it easier to study disease progression and test treatments. These animals help researchers understand the roles of particular genes in various biological processes and can lead to breakthroughs in therapies and drug development. By studying how these modified genes affect animal health, researchers gain valuable insights that can translate into human medicine.
• Discuss the ethical implications associated with the use of transgenic animals in agriculture and medicine.
  • The use of transgenic animals raises several ethical concerns, including animal welfare issues and the potential consequences for biodiversity. In agriculture, there are worries about how these modified animals may affect ecosystems if they were to escape or breed with wild populations. In medicine, ethical debates focus on the treatment of these animals during research and production processes, as well as concerns about genetic manipulation's long-term effects on both animal health and human safety.
• Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of using transgenic animals for pharmaceutical production compared to traditional methods.
  • Using transgenic animals for pharmaceutical production offers significant advantages, such as the ability to produce complex proteins that are often difficult to synthesize using traditional methods. This biopharming approach can lead to more efficient production and lower costs for certain medications. However, risks include possible health impacts on the animals themselves, public concern about genetically modified organisms, and regulatory challenges surrounding safety and efficacy. Balancing these benefits and risks is crucial for advancing this technology responsibly.

Related terms

Gene Transfer: The process of introducing foreign DNA into an organism's genome, which can be accomplished through various techniques such as microinjection or viral vectors.

Knockout Mice: Mice that have had specific genes deactivated or 'knocked out' to study the effects of those genes on development and disease.

Biopharming: The use of transgenic animals to produce pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins in their milk, blood, or urine.