The Impact of Biotechnology on Animals
a journey through the lives of animals and how they benefit humans...
The Glofish website is aimed as an advertisement, however does provide crucial information behind the science of the transgenic fish. It descriptevly covers all questions that rise up occassionaly. Check out their website: http://www.glofish.com
A transgenisis project conducted by actual students and scientists. The website will provide insight into how such projects function and the research as well as regulations associated with them.
Aquabounty is responsible for developing a salmon that takes half time as much as normal to grow. It is the first food to be approved by the FDA as "safe" to consume. Check out their website: http://www.aquabounty.com/
RELATED LINKS
Impact of Biotechnology on Animal Agriculture
Humans have been altering the characteristics of animals for generations. Recombinant DNA, however, is relatively new and involves altering genes to cause mutations among various organisms. The mutation, result in the desired characteristics that can be passed on from generation to generation
Transgenic Organisms
In 1973, Stanley N Cohen and Herbert Boyer successfully transferred a gene from one bacterium to another; the beginning of the science of Transgenics. A year later Rudolf Jaenisch, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, produced the first transgenic mice when he transferred leukemia genes inside the organism. In 1982, Ralph Brinter of the University of Pennsylvania took the research further and inserted the structural gene of human growth hormone into mice embryos.
INTRODUCTION
Recombinant DNA includes the transferal of a desired gene from the DNA of one organism to another. When the foreign gene is transferred, the characteristics of the characterists of the animal changes. If done successfully, the organism contains the foreign gene in its reproductive cells, and as a result can pass on the desired traits from one generation to another
The process begins with the removal of the donor DNA, which is then cut into a compatible form for a vector. The vector is usually a fast multiplying bacterium or virus that duplicates the recombined DNA into large quantities. The gene can then be introduced into the transgenic animal in three common ways
-
MICROINJECTION
-
INJECTION OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL
-
THE USE OF RETROVIRUSES
There are 5 basic steps to recombinant technology. The diagrams expands each step and explain it in full detail. In the proceduce a bacterial plasmid is usually used and the DNA vector is inserted inside the bacterial plasmid, so it can replicate
PROCESS INVOLVED WITH RECOMBINANT TECHNOLOGY
CITATION 4
What are they?
Transgenic organisms are organisms that have been artificially introduced to a foreign gene for a specific purpose. All genes must be manipulated via several techniques before they are introduced into an organism. If the germ line of the recieving organism is succesfully altered, then the organism will be able to pass on the gene to its offsprings. If the somatic (non-reproductive) cells are altered, than the resulting gene will not be passed on to the offspring. Trangenisis is NOT cloning- transgenic organisms are not identical, and cloning does not always include gene manipulation
Transgenesis was first used among biotechnologists with the development of transgenic "super mice" in 1982, which were developed in order to produce a human drug tPA. Since then, many uses have been applied to various transgenic organisms. Some of the uses include:
-
introducing human genes into animals for studying human related diseases
-
production of human pharmaceuticals
-
hormones to increase milk yield, and meat production
-
modifying tissues and organs in animals so they can be used for transplants, etc.
-
improvement and manipulation of the desired breed among certain animals
Application
genetically enhanced line of Yorkshire pigs with the capability of digesting plant phosphorus more efficiently than conventional Yorkshire pigs
South Korean scientists create glow in the dark cats. The cate are altered with a green jellyfish flourescent protein
The main reason Transgenis is used in animal agriculture is to manipulate genes in the livestock so as to produce the ideal animal with better milk and meat yields. Biotechnologist hope to produce animals that are leaner, more productive, and are more resistent to disease. Characteristics have been altered before; biotechnology expands those characterists to genes. The resulting animal is produced in a much more cost effecient and productive method than traditional breeding methods. Agriculture is not the only reason why such animals are developed, they also aid in producing certain pharmaceutical products, such as:
-
factor VIII blood clotting/factorfactor IX blood clotting
-
formula additive haemoglobin as a blood substitute
-
human protein C anticoagulantalpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) for treatment of AAT deficiency tissue
-
plasminogen activator (tPA)
-
cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) for treatment of CF
-
insulin for diabetes treatment
-
growth hormones for treatment of deficiencies
-
monoclonal antibodies
-
vaccines (antigens)
-
cholesterol oxidase
​
NOTE: the list is taken directly from
scientists learned they can produce HIV antibodies that protect against transmitting the disease through cow's milk
PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS
Need Help?
Important Notes:
When browsing this website, keep in mind that each information is cited for a reason. Citations will include links to alternate websites from where the information has been collected. Videos are included for those who prefer a visual aid. Each page will have a related links bar, where innovators and related organizations have been highlighted. There is also an RSS Feed that will automatically feed information related to animal agriculture. Click on forward and backward to navigate between the pages