Biotechnology and its Applications — Part 3: Transgenic animals and ethical issues: visual lesson, CBSE Class 12 Biology

Lesson

Transgenic animals and ethical issues

Part 3 — animals with foreign genes, and the rules and rights that should govern biotechnology.

In this lesson you will

State the uses of transgenic animals with examples
Explain the role of GEAC and the need for biosafety
Explain biopiracy and patents with Indian examples

Concept

Uses of transgenic animals

Transgenic animals are made to study biology and to produce useful substances.

Table of uses of transgenic animals with examples
Use	Example
Normal physiology and development	Study of genes for growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor
Study of disease	Models for cancer, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease
Biological products	α-1-antitrypsin to treat emphysema; products for phenylketonuria and cystic fibrosis
Vaccine safety	Transgenic mice to test the safety of polio vaccine
Chemical safety (toxicity) testing	Animals with genes that make them more sensitive to toxic substances

Concept

Rosie, the transgenic cow

In 1997, the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein-enriched milk (2.4 grams per litre). The milk contained the human alpha-lactalbumin and was nutritionally a more balanced product for human babies than natural cow’s milk.

Table of facts about Rosie the transgenic cow
Feature	Detail
Year	1997
Protein	Human alpha-lactalbumin
Amount	2.4 g per litre of milk
Benefit	Nutritionally more balanced for human babies

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