- Transgenic animals are those whose genome is altered by introducing genes from another species.
- They are produced by methods such as DNA microinjection, retrovirus-mediated transfer, and embryonic stem cell transfer.
- Transgenic animals help in studying gene function, regulation, and normal growth and development.
- They are used as disease models to understand disorders like cancer and Alzheimer’s and to develop medicines and vaccines.
- Transgenic animals produce biological products (e.g., human proteins in milk) and are used for vaccine and chemical safety testing.
Definitions [8]
Definition: Gene Therapy
The technique of treating genetic disorders by correcting defective genes in somatic cells is called gene therapy.
Definition: Transgenic Animal
A transgenic animal is an animal whose genome has been artificially modified to contain one or more genes from another species.
Definition: Therapeutic Cloning
The technique of producing stem cells from cloned embryos for treatment of diseases is called therapeutic cloning.
Definition: Gene Cloning
Gene cloning is a genetic engineering technique in which a single copy of a gene or DNA segment is isolated and multiplied to produce many identical copies.
Definition: Cloning
The process of producing an exact genetic replica of a cell, tissue, organ, or entire organism is called cloning.
or
Cloning is the process of producing identical copies of a gene, DNA fragment, cell, or organism.
Definition: Reproductive Cloning
The production of a complete organism by fusion of a somatic cell nucleus with an enucleated ovum is called reproductive cloning.
Definition: Bioethics
Bioethics are a set of standards that may be used to regulate our activities in relation to the biological world.
Define the term:
Bioethics
Bioethics is the branch of ethics that deals with moral principles and issues arising from advances in biology, medicine, and life sciences.
Key Points
Key Points: Gene Therapy
- Gene therapy is the treatment of diseases by replacing, altering, or adding genes to correct genetic defects.
- It is used to treat genetic disorders such as haemophilia, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, and thalassemia.
- Genes can be delivered into cells by ex vivo (outside the body), in vivo (inside the body), or using vectors like viruses and liposomes.
- There are two types: germ-line therapy (affects future generations, not used in humans) and somatic cell therapy (affects only the patient and is commonly used).
- Gene therapy has applications in treating genetic diseases, cancer, and improving immune response, but it involves technical and ethical challenges.
Key Points: Molecular Diagnosis
- Molecular diagnosis enables early detection of diseases using techniques like PCR and ELISA before symptoms appear.
- PCR detects very low levels of pathogen DNA or RNA by amplification and is used for diseases like HIV and genetic disorders.
- DNA probes labeled with radioactive markers help identify mutations by hybridization and autoradiography.
Key Points: Transgenic Animal
Key Points: Bioethics
- Bioethics is the study of moral principles and decisions related to biological sciences and their impact on society.
- It deals with issues like cloning, gene therapy, genetic engineering, euthanasia, and in vitro fertilisation.
- Biotechnology raises ethical concerns such as animal suffering, gene transfer between species, and misuse of living organisms.
- Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may pose risks to human health, the environment, and biodiversity, and can disturb natural processes.
- To ensure safety and ethical use, measures like biosafety regulations and organisations such as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) are established.
