Any three of the below can be written : Transgenic animals are used –
- To study how genes are regulated, and how they affect the normal functions of the body and its development,
e.g., study of complex factors involved in growth such as insulin-like growth factor.
By introducing genes from other species that alter the formation of this factor and studying the biological effects that result, information is obtained about the biological role of the factor in the body
2. as models for human diseases so that investigation of new treatments for diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s.
3. to Produce useful biological products & can be created by the introduction of the portion of DNA which codes for a particular product such as human protein used to treat emphysema, phenyl ketonuria and cystic fibrosis.
In 1997, the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein-enriched milk approx. 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-milk.
4. for use in testing the safety of vaccines before they are used on humans. eg. Transgenic mice for polio vaccine.They could replace the use of monkeys to test the safety of batches of the vaccine
5. for toxicity / safety testing : Transgenic animals are made that carry genes which make them more sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals. They are then exposed to the toxic substances and the effects studied.