What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the use of artificial methods to alter the genetic material of living organisms and cells to produce different products or perform different functions. Biotechnology is commonly known as the scientific manipulation of living organisms, especially at the molecular level.

What are transgenic animals?

Transgenic animals are animals that have a foreign gene purposely put into their genome. This is done to produce results where the animal that received the gene gives birth to genetically modified offspring.

 

How are Transgenic Animals created?

1. DNA microinjection- This is the most common way to produce transgenic animals. It involves taking the DNA of a different or the same species and injecting it into the pronucleus of a fertilized ovum. Inserting the DNA is random and there is a high chance that injected gene will not insert itself into a site on the host DNA that will permit it’s expression.
2. Retrovirus-Mediated gene transfer- This method involves using retroviruses as vectors, an organism that transmits a disease from one animal, to the genetic material of a cell. A retrovirus is a virus that carries its genetic information in the form of RNA, instead of DNA. Offspring from this method are chimeric, and not all cells carry the retrovirus.
3. Embyronic stem-cell mediated gene transfer- Involves prior insertion of the desired DNA into totipotent stem cells from the embryo(stem cells that can develop into any type of specialized cell). This method results in a chimeric animal; animals that are produced by the merging of multiple fertilized eggs.

Uses and Advancements

Transgenic animals are normally used for experiments and research in a laboratory. Over 95% of these animals are rodents, mainly mice. The rodents play a big role in helping scientists research human disease, cures for these diseases, being able to understand gene function, and to see responses to certain therapies for diseases. In some cases, mice have been genetically modified to produce human antibodies to use as therapeutics for humans.

Mice are the most common choice because its genome is similar to a humans. The tests performed on these mice can be taken and applied to human disease. Behavioural and psychiatric tests are performed before and after the mouse is injected with the gene. The results are recorded and studied, then are altered to try and fit a human’s actions and attributes. Once the results are converted, they are taken and put into perspective to try and find a cure for sicknesses. Mice also have a very short reproduction cycle. This is an advantage in this case because the offspring of transgenic animals may be different from each other, meaning more data collection. Aside from transgenic rodents, transgenic farm animals are currently being looked at to somehow produce human proteins to treat human disease.

The research revolving around transgenic animals will help further the understanding of human diseases and being able to treat them. The tests performed on the animals gives scientists a way to study the results on living organisms that have similarly functioning genes to humans. Because of these similarities, transgenic rodents can be produced to copy human disease. Rodents are currently being used to study obesity, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, substance abuse, anxiety, ageing, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Another example is that pigs are now being looked at as candidates to be a source of organs for organ donation. If the pigs organs are proven to be safe to use, it could be the answer to organ shortages.

http://www.whatisbiotechnology.org/science/transgenic

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~browder/transgenic.html

Further Examples

Diabetes- Transgenic animals can be modified to produce insulin. Insulin is used with diabetes patients as a therapy along with gene therapy. Scientists can genetically modify the animals DNA to be able to produce human drugs like insulin. A cure for diabetes is transplantation. This is a method where the cells are taken from the transgenic animal and are transplanted into the human patient. This method is used so the patient does not have to directly inject insulin into their system themselves.

Agriculture and Livestock- Cattle and sheep have already been tested with the use of biotechnology. It is  scientists and farmers hope that they can produce healthier animals, meaning that the animals will live longer. Cattle will be able to produce more milk as their lifespan will increase and sheep will be able to produce more wool. Eventually, this type of meat will be able to be used for food.

Cows/Keeping infants healthy- Transgenic cows have been found to produce milk with casein, which is a type of protein used for cheese manufacturing. Cows have now also been found to produce lactoferrin (this is a bactericidal and has iron-binding properties), which can be found in the immune system. This can be used as a additive to infant formula.

http://connectusfund.org/9-biggest-pros-and-cons-of-transgenic-animals

https://www.bio.org/articles/genetically-engineered-animals-frequently-asked-questions

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/TransgenicAnimals.html

All of this information will be studied over and over, developed, further looked at, and continued to be researched for many years to come. The research being gathered now will open new doors for scientists down the road. Every discovery brings up new data that can be applied in the favour of humans and our lives. Using transgenic animals as a resource to study curing diseases will continue to grow and bring up new facts and possible cures.