Ashten GulizoSamantha Baldassaro

Transgenics

What is it?•An organism that carries a

gene that has been deliberately inserted into its genome1

•Usually causes a trait that is novel and uncharacteristic of the organism1

How do you do that?

1. Transform the embryonic stem cells growing in tissue culture with the desired DNA (transgenic gene)1

2. Inject the desired gene into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg1

• The haploid nucleus of a sperm or egg cell before fusion of the nuclei in fertilization2

1

Examples• Mice• Chicken• Primates• Pigs1

• Genetically Modified crops3

• Sheep• Goats• Fishies1

Applications• May 28, 2009

– Japanese scientists report success in creating transgenic marmosets (a primate). Closest human relative to be genetically engineered. In some cases, the transgene (for green fluorescent protein) was incorporated into the germline and passed on to the animal's offspring.1

– These transgenic animals will provide the best model yet for studying human disease and possible therapies.1

The monkeys glow in the dark!

Applications• July 2000

– Success at inserting a transgene into a specific gene locus was reported in goats and sheep. The gene was the human gene for alpha1-antitrypsin, and two of the animals expressed large quantities of the human protein in their milk.1

– rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and other autoimmune disorders (other proteins) 4

Bahhhh!I’m a

sheep!

Applications• Transgenic pigs & mice have also

been produced by fertilizing normal eggs with sperm cells that have incorporated foreign DNA. This procedure, called sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) may someday be able to produce transgenic pigs that can serve as a source of transplanted organs for humans. 1

• Scientists have developed sunflowers that are resistant to mildew. 4

• They have also developed cotton that resists insect damage.4

Applications

Applications

• Goats with spider genes produced spider silk proteins in their milk, after the genes were inserted into the genome of a goat’s egg, prior to fertilization.

– strong, lightweight bulletproof vests– stronger automotive and aerospace

components– stronger, more biodegradable

sutures for closing wounds.4

Pretty Much…

• The use of transgenics in other organisms can lead to the synthesis of human organs and proteins, bettering crops for our use, and many other areas.

papaya

bullet proof vest

Ethical Concerns• Are we blurring the lines between species by creating transgenic combinations?• What are the known health risks associated with transgenics?• What are the long-term effects on the environment when transgenics are released in

the field?• What ethical, social, and legal controls or reviews should be placed on such

research?• Are we inflicting pain and suffering on sentient creatures when we create certain

types of chimeras?• Will transgenic interventions in humans create physical or behavioral traits that may

or may not be readily distinguished from what is usually perceived to be “human”?• If the blending of nonhuman animal and human DNA results, intentionally or not, in

chimeric entities possessing degrees of intelligence or sentience never before seen in nonhuman animals, should these entities be given rights and special protections?

• What unintended personal, social, and cultural consequences could result?• Will these interventions redefine what it means to be “normal”?• Who will have access to these technologies, and how will scarce resources be

allocated?• Are we crossing species boundaries?• Will the technology facilitate transmission of disease?• Is it ethical to create altered animals that may suffer?• Is it possible the technology may be used to create slaves?• Can the definition of “human” be applied to altered species containing human genes?• Will society manipulate the genetic traits of children? 4

Ethical Concerns

• Health Concerns• Environmental Concerns• Transmission of Disease• Animal Cruelty

• Crossing Species Boundaries• Chimeric – Sentient – “Human” 4

Regular

CANADA• The regulation of all transgenics in Canada falls

under the mandate of the CFIA and Health Canada. • Responsible for release of transgenics into the

environment, and requires each transgenic to undergo stringent safety assessments before release. – These include human food, livestock feed, and

environmental safety.

• Submit data collected under regulatory guidelines, and data must show that the mandatory tests have been completed. The agencies review the data, and if acceptable, confined field testing will be allowed.5

SWITZERLAND• Switzerland has a tight rein on crop

genetics, because they fear that a mutant strain might run amok and harm the environment.

• Their laws in this area are more restraining than American laws.

• 1990s - the Swiss constitution was amended in order to defend the dignity of all creatures, including plants & “social animals”, against unwanted consequences of genetic manipulation.6

PERU

• As of now, transgenic crops of all kind are illegal in Peru.

• However, soybeans imported from Brazil and Argentina as animal feed have been planted illegally.

• Worried, like many other countries about contamination of native species of crops.7

References

1. http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/TransgenicAnimals.html

2. http://www.answers.com/topic/pronucleus3. http://www.cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/

what.html4. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/glenn.html5. http://crop.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/43/5/15906. http://online.wsj.com/article/

SB122359549477921201.html7. http://www.livinginperu.com/features-710-environment-

transgenic-products-are-not-our-first-choice