Transgenic  Organisms

Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Tech  

In News

• U.S. President Donald Trump recently made a mistaken claim that $8 million had been spent on “making mice transgender,” which was later corrected to “transgenic mice.” 

About 

• Media reports clarified that the research involved hormone treatments for studies on hormone therapy, HIV vaccines, breast cancer, and other health areas—not for altering the gender of mice. 
• Studies with transgenic mice have helped understand genetics, cancer, reproduction, and more. These mice are valuable in modeling diseases due to their genetic similarities to humans.

Transgenic organism

• It  refers to an organism or cell whose genome has been altered by the introduction of one or more foreign DNA sequences from another species by artificial means.
• Transgenic organisms are generated in the laboratory for research purposes.

Applications 

• Transgenic animals have been used to study genetic processes, such as the role of DNA in carrying genetic information and the link between oncogenes and cancer.
• Transgenic animals also help understand normal physiological processes and model human diseases for treatment development.
  • Animals like goats and cows are engineered to produce therapeutic proteins, such as insulin.
• Transgenic crops have been produced that are resistant to infectious diseases and grow faster.
• It is used in bioremediation to break down pollutants like oil spills and heavy metals.

Challenges

• There are ethical concerns about animal welfare and the morality of genetic modification.
• There are chances of Potential environmental or health impacts, such as unintended gene flow or allergic reactions.
• The creation of transgenic organisms is expensive and technically challenging.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• Transgenic organisms offer great potential in medicine, agriculture, and environmental management but require careful handling of ethical, environmental, and regulatory concerns to ensure their responsible use.

Source :TH