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East Lansing An up and coming genetic researcher will speak at Michigan State
University about transgenic animals. Keith Young a genetic engineer will be at Anthony
Hall on the Michigan State University campus, Wednesday Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. to present
“The Benefits of Transgenic animals”.
Transgenic animals are genetically modified animals used for many purposes.
The two purposes Keith will be speaking about are the use of these animals for
pharmaceutical companies and food production. “Transgenic animals are beneficial in
that they provide a way to produce human tissues and medication, as well as to make
food production easier.” as stated by Keith Young.
To produce transgenic animals genes acquired from protein are used. The gene is
selected and cut from the DNA and implanted into the embryo desired for production or
research. From there the protein can be produced in any location, the most common
location is the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a prime location because the
protein can be produce in large amounts without affecting the animal’s health
Animals have produced medication to help form blood clots, infant formula
additives, and treatments for cystic fibrosis. While most of the protein drugs are
produced in the milk supply, pigs have been used to produce human hemoglobin, which
is a protein found in blood used to carry oxygen. The only draw back to this process is
the pig must be slaughter to retrieve the hemoglobin. The first two successful drugs
produced were insulin and a human growth hormone. While not on the market they have
been successful in the lab.
Transgenic animals used for food production produce added protein in the milk
supply and hormones in the animal muscle tissue. The protein currently being tested in
milk production is casein; it is a naturally occurring protein that aids in the clot of milk
for cheese production. Cows were previously selected for an increased production of this
protein, but with the current research this is no longer required. Current research is being
done on hormone additives in meat animals. These hormones could result in a decrease
in the need for hormones to be injected for faster growth and lower body fat.
While not much is known about the reaction the public will have on this topic,
one can assume it will not be easy to convince them this is beneficial to the future of
animal agriculture. People tend to view genetically altering an animal as inhumane, and
unethical. Perhaps when the public sees that this process can be beneficial to the
economy and human health they will agree that this is a excellent path to produce these
technologies.
To learn more about transgenic animals visit the web site
http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/biotech_info_series/bio10.html. For more information on
the speaker call (517) 353-9876