Definitions [8]
The technique of treating genetic disorders by correcting defective genes in somatic cells is called gene therapy.
A transgenic animal is an animal whose genome has been artificially modified to contain one or more genes from another species.
The technique of producing stem cells from cloned embryos for treatment of diseases is called therapeutic 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.
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.
The production of a complete organism by fusion of a somatic cell nucleus with an enucleated ovum is called reproductive cloning.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Transgenic animals have artificially modified genomes containing specific foreign genes from other species.
- They are produced by isolating a desired gene, inserting it into a host embryo, and growing it into a complete animal expressing the new trait.
- They serve as essential living models for studying normal physiology, understanding complex diseases, and testing the safety of vaccines and chemicals.
- They function as biological factories for therapeutic products, such as "Rosie," the first transgenic cow that produced human protein-enriched milk.
- Mice are the most widely used models in disease research, while other animals such as sheep, pigs, and fish are utilised for medical and agricultural advancements.
- Bioethics sets moral standards to safely regulate biotechnology and prevent the misuse of biological resources.
- Major ethical concerns focus on preventing animal suffering in research and avoiding the ecological risks of cross-species gene transfer.
- Biosafety protocols are essential to protect human health and the environment from the unpredictable effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) strictly evaluates and regulates the safe release of genetically engineered products into the environment.
- Biopiracy is the unethical, unauthorised commercial exploitation of regional biological resources and traditional knowledge without fair compensation.
