Genetically modified domestic animals - benefits and risks

Abstract

Recombinant DNA technology enabled the successful transfer of beneficial genes between animals, thus creating genetically modified animals. The basic motive for creating genetically modified animals was a new, more efficient way of exploiting their production potentials. Although cloning and transgenic technology incorporate all known techniques of micromanipulating genes and embryos known to date, they represent only a continuation of research in this field. Special practical results from genetically modified organisms are achieved by therapeutic cloning and work to preserve endangered animal species. The creation of genetically modified animals, and especially the birth of the first mammal obtained by cloning, the sheep Dolly, has shifted the frontiers of science in general and set the strategy for future projects in this field.

Primenom tehnologije rekombinantne DNK omogućeno je uspešno prenošenje pozeljnih gena sa jedne životinje na drugu i na taj način su dobijene genetički modifikovani životinjski organizmi. Osnovni motiv stvaranja genetički modifikovanih životinja je nov, efikasniji način iskorišćavanja njihovih proizvodnih mogućnosti. Tehnika kloniranja i transgeneze životinja uključuje sve do sada poznate tehnike mikromanipulacija sa genima i embrionima i one predstavljaju samo nastavak istraživanja u ovoj oblasti. Poseban praktični doprinos genetički modifikovanih organizama ima terapeutsko kloniranje i rad na očuvanju ugroženih životinjskih vrsta. Dobijanje genetički modifikovanih životinja a posebno rođenje prvog kloniranog sisara ovce Doli pomerilo je granice sveukupne nauke i opredelilo strategiju budućih projekata u ovoj oblasti.