The Blueprint of Life: Transgenic Species
...se, and are now vulnerable to the polio virus and are ready for their testing. Part 2 Some animal activists and moralists believe and argue that should not be genetically engineered into transgenic species. It is argued that in many scientific tests, ordinary mice are not suitable and/or practical due to their genetic composition; and that we humans are altering nature and its creations. This is true, the genetic make-up of the mice is being altered and the mice that are produced are not natural. On the other hand, transgenic mice enable us to perform a wider variety of experiments. Mice are easy to cater, they grow fairly quickly and they’re inexpensive but ordinary mice sometimes cannot be tested on due to their genetic build, for example their non-ability to contract the polio virus. Genetically modifying these mice enables us to take advantage of their qualities and be able to perform a wider variety of tests. These tests are for good cause. Tests include effects and prevention of deadly viruses and diseases. Why should stop using this technology on mice if it helps save many human lives from deadly diseases and illnesses? Not only can this research benefit humans but it, and the technology itself, can also prevent such diseases for animals that are part of the agriculture industry such as cattle, sheep and chickens. The benefits of the research carried out on transgenic mice outweigh the ethical arguments to cease the technology in this application. It is beneficial to the survival and progress of mankind. Part 3 Transgenic breeding technology aims to make further advances in agriculture by producing livestock and crops that are leaner, larger, more productive and more immune to diseases and pests. This would make the agricultural industry more productive and more economical for the farmers and the consumer (not mentioning agribusiness or supermarket chains). An example of current research into transgenic breeding is transgenic sheep. Scientists are aiming to produce a species of sheep that grows better quality wool with a milder diet. Part 4 Cloning in animals requires an unfertilised ovum (many are taken because not all will survive the several stages of cloning process) and genetic material (nucleus) from a cell from the animal to be cloned. The nucleus of the egg is removed – by a micropipette - and replaced with the nucleus from the other cell. Electricity from a ‘BTXTM’ cell fusion machine is used to ‘fuse’ the egg cell with the new nucleus, and to initiate cell division. Soon the embryo is inserted into the surrogate mother where it will continue its growth (NB: few embryos mature once placed in womb). Once born, the offspring is genetically identical to the individual whose DNA was donated. Part 5 Artificial Insemination “Artificial insemination is the injection of male semen into a female.” This process of reproduction has a higher success rate than orthodox sexual reproduction. It involves the collection of semen from the male and later its insertion to the female. This technique is popular with animal breeders such as farmers of cattle and sheep, and more commonly among race-horse breeders. Artificial insemination is also available to humans (infertile parents, single mothers and gay couples). The main advantage of this technique is the available choice of traits/characteristics that can be expressed by the offspring. In other words, the breeder/parent can choose what the offspring looks like and/or other physical attributes (eg. Athleticism, strength, flexibility etc.). Artificial insemination is a growing trend in the horse-racing world. Trainers are looking for faster horses and now they have the ability to “create” a horse with a specific trait, in this case a fast horse. The trainer only need the semen of a horse anywhere in the world with the genetic ability to run fast to create a horse that would likely also be a fast runner. Although, after a period of time, horses with a fast trait will be commonplace. This will be due to horses artificially inseminated having offspring who pass on the trait to other horses. Theoretically, there is no limit to the number of times a male horse can donate its semen. Excessive use of the process of artificial insemination may lead to a decline in variation among racehorses. A similar scenario is occurring in the global human population, although not to such a dramatic extent. With single-parents and gay couples becoming more common, the demand for artificial insemination is increasing. These people can pretty much determine physical characteristics of their child/children prior to insemination. Characteristics such as eye and hair colour, skin colour and hair type (curly or straight) can be almost determ...