1. CHALLENGES TO BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Analyze Transgenic Animals

2. Early Beginnings
Biotechnology – collection of scientific techniques that use living cells and molecules to make products and solve problems
Transgenic organisms: Organisms that contain another species’ genes within their chromosomes
Historically – used in selective breeding of livestock, controlled plant pollination, and microorganisms to bake bread, brew beer and make cheese
This is accomplished by transferring specific genes from one species to another
First transgenic organisms were bacteria
Scientists around the world use customized transgenic animals for their own research
Species include sheep, goats, cows, chickens, pigs, mice, rabbits, rats, chickens and fish

3. BENEFITS of TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
Animal models
Pharmaceutical production
Organ donors
Livestock improvement

4. PRODUCTION of TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
The transgene (which contains the DNA the scientist wants to transfer) is introduced into a single-cell embryo
The embryo is transferred to a surrogate mother of the same strain
Success rate is low (10%-30%) in mice
Success rate decreases in mammals

5. CARE of TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
Most do not require special care
Some develop a susceptibility to disease

6. GOVERNMENT’S ROLE in TRANSGENIC RESEARCH
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues patents for transgenic animals
Only government policy is the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
What does NIH stand for?

7. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
People opposed to transgenic animal research believe:
Beliefs of people who favor transgenic animal research

8. FUTURE of TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
Current research limited to transferring a small amount of genes at a time
Much work remains to be done to fine-tune techniques
Possible effects of foreign DNA remains a concern
The use of transgenic models is an established part of biomedical research