Challenges in Biomedical Technology Transgenic Organisms

Introduction Biotechnology: scientific techniques that use living cells and molecules to make products and solve problems. Allows for the enhancement of health, environment and food supply Influencing natural processes has occurred for thousands of years including Selective breeding to improve livestock Controlled plant pollination to improve crops Microorganisms to bake bread, brew beer and make cheese

Transgenic Organisms Accomplished by transferring specific genes from one species to another Organisms that have other species’ genes within their chromosomes First transgenic organism was bacteria Still used to produce insulin, human growth factor, interferons and other hormones

Why are transgenic organisms important? Models of human disease A way to improve the quality and health of livestock Another method to produce pharmaceuticals A source of organs for humans A model for gene therapy

Benefits of Transgenic Animals Animal models Mice are the most commonly used animal They reproduce quickly Small and easily housed Genetic makeup is better understood than other mammals Their lifespan is 2-3 years Are used to study cancer, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's and immune deficiencies

Pharmaceutical production Transgenic bacteria is used to produce insulin Transgenic animals can be used to produce expensive medications at lower costs This procedure is called “pharming” Introducing the gene into large farm animals has many advantages

Organ donors This process uses organs from other species called a “xenograft” Rejection is a issue The key is to find immunosuppressant drugs that will make the transplant successful Some success has been made with pig heart valves

Livestock improvement Produces larger, leaner livestock Animals are more resistant to disease Many companies have tried to produce these genetically modified animals but there is concern over the safety of meat and dairy products from these animals Also consumers are opposed to genetically engineered produce

How are transgenic animals produced? Must construct the transgene, which is the DNA that will be transferred For a transgene to be incorporated into all the hosts cells it must be introduced as a single cell embryo Scientists inject the each embryo with the copies of the transgene Embryo is transferred to a surrogate mother

Government Role Considerable controversy surrounding animals rights Biotech labs must file a patent applications with the US Patent Office

Ethical Considerations Possibility that animals that are genetically altered could threaten the environment, our health and food supply Could lead to animal suffering Could use techniques on humans