Transgenic Animals

TRANSGENIC ANIMALS Transgenics is the production of animals whose genetic make-up has been changed in some way. A gene from humans or another species is inserted into the animal's DNA. Another method is to knock out or disrupt one of the animals' own genes, scientists call these animals 'knockouts'. Knockouts are usually used in biomedical research where they mimic a human disease. Transgenic animals are able to pass on their new genes to their offspring …

…retinoblastomas (tumours of the retina that occurs mostly in children). When a gene that causes retinoblastomas was knocked out in mice, they did not develop retinal tumours.Gene therapy can be far more effective if one incorporates the gene into human cells in vitro. The cells with the healthy genes can then be injected into the patient. Relying on animal studies will always hinder our search for effective treatments for the diseases that afflict humans.