12. BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS
TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
- These are the animals whose genome
has been altered by introduction of a foreign gene by manipulation.
- E.g. Transgenic rats, rabbits, pigs,
sheep, cows and fish.
- Over 95% of the transgenic animals
are mice.
Benefits
of transgenic animals
· To study regulation
of genes and their action on normal physiology
& development: E.g. Study of insulin-like
growth factor. Genes (from other species) that alter formation of this
factor are introduced and the biological effects are studied. This gives information
about biological role of the factor.
· To study the
contribution of genes in the development of a disease and thereby new
treatments: E.g. transgenic models for human
diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis &
Alzheimer’s.
· Biological products:
Some medicines contain expensive biological products. Transgenic
animals can be used to produce biological products by introducing genes which
codes for a particular product.
They are used to treat diseases such
as emphysema, phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis etc. E.g. human protein
(a-1-antitrypsin) used to treat
emphysema.
In 1997, Rosie (first
transgenic cow) produced human protein-enriched milk (2.4 gm per litre). It contains
human a-lactalbumin. It is nutritionally more balanced product for human babies than
natural cow-milk.
· Vaccine safety
testing: Transgenic mice are used to test the
safety of the polio vaccine. If it is reliable, they can replace the use of
monkeys to test the safety of vaccines.
· Chemical safety
testing (toxicity testing): Some transgenic
animals carry genes which make them more sensitive to toxic substances than
non-transgenic animals. They are exposed to the toxic substances and the
effects studied. It gives immediate results.
ETHICAL ISSUES
· Problem of
unpredictable results: Genetic
modification may cause unpredictable results.
Indian Government has set up
organizations like GEAC (Genetic Engineering
Approval Committee) to make decisions about the validity of GM research and the
safety of GM-organisms for public services.
· Bio-piracy: It is the use of bio-resources by multinational companies
and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and
people concerned. Certain companies have got patents for products and
technologies that make use of the genetic materials, plants etc. that have been
identified, developed and used by farmers and indigenous people of a country. E.g.
Basmati rice, herbal medicines (turmeric, neem etc.).
Basmati rice has unique aroma & flavour. India has 27 varieties of Basmati. In 1997, an American company
got patent rights on Basmati rice through the US Patent and Trademark
Office. This allowed the company to sell a ‘new’ variety of Basmati. This was
actually derived from Indian farmer’s varieties. Indian Basmati was crossed
with semi-dwarf varieties and claimed as a novelty. Other people selling
Basmati rice could be restricted by patent.
Generally, industrialized nations
are poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The developing and
underdeveloped world have rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge related
to bio-resources.
It has to develop laws to prevent
unauthorized exploitation of bio-resources and traditional knowledge.
Indian Parliament has cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill that has considered patent terms emergency provisions and research and development initiative.