Unit 6 (Genetic Engineering of Animal Cells)
Topics
1.Introduction to Gene Cloning
2.Gene transfer techniques and host system
3.Transgenic animals and their applications
4.Characterization of transfected cells
5.In vitro Fertilization
6.Embryo Transfer
7.Ethical issues of animal cloning
2.Gene transfer techniques and host system
3.Transgenic animals and their applications
4.Characterization of transfected cells
5.In vitro Fertilization
6.Embryo Transfer
7.Ethical issues of animal cloning
1. Introduction to Gene Cloning
Gene cloning is the process in which a gene of interest is located and copied (cloned) out of DNA extracted from an organism. When DNA is extracted from an organism, all of its genes are extracted at one time. This DNA, which contains thousands of different genes
2. Gene Transfer Techniques & Host System
3. Transgenic Animals & Their Applications
Applications of Transgenic Animals:
- As disease model: Transgenic animals are produced as disease models (animals genetically manipulated to exhibit disease symptoms so that effective treatment can be studied) such as Alzheimers, cancer, AIDS. Transgenic animals enable scientists to understand the role of genes in specific diseases. The benefits of using transgenic animals include the possibility of the replacement of higher species by lower species- through development of disease models in mice rather than in dogs or non-human primates, the extent of discomfort experienced by parent animals during the experimental procedures.
- As food: The FDA suggested that cloned animals and their products were safe to eat for human being 40. Some drawbacks are associated due to their muscle hypertrophy like difficulties in calving requiring Caesareans, poor viability of calves and poor fertility.
- Drug and Industrial production: Transgenic animals are used for production of proteins such as alpha-1-antitrypsin, produced in liver, used in treatment of emphysema or cystic fibrosis. This process is less expensive than production of protein through culture of human cells. The human lungs are constantly get affected by foreign particles such as dust, spores and bacteria. To prevent these, neutrophils releasing the elastase enzyme but this enzyme harmed the elastin in the lungs which maintains the elasticity of lungs. So, human body releases a protein α1 proteinase inhibitor which has been successfully expressed in sheep
- Another application includes newly generation of trans-chromosomal animals in which a human artificial chromosome containing the complete sequences of the human immunoglobulin heavy and light chain loci was introduced into bovine fibroblasts, which were then used in nuclear transfer. Transchromosomal bovine offspring were obtained that expressed human immunoglobulin in their blood. This could be a significant step forward in the generation of human therapeutic polyclonal antibodies 49.
- Disease control: Scientist developed the mice by altering the genes of the mousepox virus in Australia 50. Some scientist also thought to develop genetically modify mosquitoes so they cannot produce malaria but other scientist worry about these mosquitoes that they could have unforeseen possibly risk if, they are released into the environment 51.
- Xenotransplantation
- Blood replacement Transgenic swine are used to produce human haemoglobin. The protein obtained from transgenesis could be purified by using procine blood which is similar to human haemoglobin 60.
- Transgenic animals are used in toxicity testing.
- Transgenic animals are used for vaccine testing.
4. Invitro Fertilization
5. Embryo Transfer
6. Ethical Issues on Animal Cloning
A. Legal aspects
- Animal testing – breeding for unhealthy traits
- Violation of constitutional rights
- Inclusion of animal protection in the Constitution
- Associated with ethical considerations of fellow-creature status and an ethical judgement on animal cloning.
- Different positions in the social debate and assessment of animal cloning can be traced back to some extent to different fundamental values.
- Seen as having a new quality compared with conventional animal breeding or with other new techniques in animal breeding as well.
- The potential risks and hazards – ecological (reducing genetic diversity) and social (industrial mass production, concentration of capital, new dependencies.
- Involves throwing away some fertilized embryos.
- Doctors might use clones as sources for organs for organ transplants.
- Clone will be treated as property which can be sold to anybody else.
- Human trade will rise when average people can make good money supplying babies.
- Human being should be a product (like packets of soup from a factory), or a tool (produced in a workshop) el
- Sling humans is unethical, inhumane and immoral.
- DEVELOPMENTAL ANOMALIES
- SHORT LIFE SPAN
- LARGE OFFSPRING SYNDROME
- AGEING
- Many issues arise when it comes to genetic testing.
- People worry about who will use their private health information and how will it be used?
- Fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies and the military.
- Who should have access to the personal genetic information, and how it will be used?
- Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information, who owns and controls genetic information?