Trans-Genesis

Transgenesis is the process of introducing an exogenous gene, also referred to as a transgene, from a living organism into the genome of another living organism. The aim is to obtain a transgenic organism that expresses the gene and exhibits some new properties or characteristics. The new properties will also be transmitted to the offspring of those transgenic organisms. The process of transgenesis is also called genetic modification as it involves changing the genetic code of an organism. The introduced gene may be transferred from within the same species or from another species.

Transgenesis

Transgenesis is a technique of genetic modification used to obtain desired traits in species. Scientists choose transgenesis over selective breeding for several reasons. Transgenesis produces specific results by picking desired traits from the source organism and establishing them in the target organism. It takes only one generation to establish the trait by this technique. Transgenesis is way faster than traditional selective breeding as it takes only one generation to establish the trait. Traditional methods take two or three generations, and much is left to chance in these cases. Transgenesis is also less costly, as there is no need to raise, administer and provide chemical treatments to animals and crops for multiple generations.

Biological Processes

In the process of transgenesis, first, the desired gene is extracted from the donor organism with the help of restriction enzymes. The restriction enzymes can identify the required gene. The extracted gene is then inserted into the cells of the recipient organism. The process of transgenesis involves three steps, namely, identification, isolation, and transformation.

• Identification 

Researchers identify the traits they want to express in an organism and try to figure out the gene coding for that trait. Several techniques like Gene Chips (or Microarrays) and DNA sequencing are used to identify the gene sequence associated with a specific trait. The protein and the amino acid sequence of the desired trait are also determined. A DNA probe is constructed to stick to the target gene only after determining a small part of the desired sequence.

• Isolation

The target gene sequence is isolated by breaking cells. Cells can be disintegrated by manual or chemical treatment with detergents. A technique called centrifugation is used to separate the DNA from the rest of the cell components. The target gene is separated from the DNA by cutting using a restriction enzyme. The fragments are further separated as per their size. The fragment containing the target gene is identified as the DNA probe. The gene is inserted into the bacterial plasmid using an enzyme called DNA ligase.

• Transformation

The target gene is transferred into the target organism using one of the different vectors, which is selected depending on the cell type. A very small percentage of transgenes are expressed. The reason behind it is that the transgene needs to reach the nucleus and be passed on during cell division, integrating with the genome of the target cells.

Positive Implications of Transgenesis

• Pharming 

Transgenic animals can be used to make many valuable pharmaceutical products. Human disease and defects can be treated using these products. Hence, they improve the health and life span of humans.

• Agriculture 

Transgenic plants have modified genetic structures. Many important crop plants and vegetables have been genetically modified to improve agricultural productivity. Examples of GM crops are rice, cotton, soybean, oilseeds, tomato, potato, cabbage, and lettuce. Bacterial or viral genes are introduced in such plants to make them tolerant to pesticides and herbicides. Beneficial characteristics of plants like nutritional value or oil quality are modified by using transgenics.

• Livestock 

By using transgenics in animal farming, scientists aim to improve livestock. They alter their biochemistry, hormones, or protein products. Genetically modified animals are larger and leaner. They also grow faster than usual. These animals are more productive and more resistant to diseases. Examples of transgenic animals are GalSafe pigs, which are free from alpha-gal sugar, and transgenic sheep that produce better wool without needing any special dietary supplements.

Negative Implications of Transgenesis

• The transgenesis technology certainly has inherent unpredictability.
• Transgenic processes such as horizontal gene transfer, genetic combination, transfer of allergens between organisms, creation of new toxins, and allergenic compounds pose a threat to biosafety.

Conclusion

The technology of transgenesis is one of the most successful advancements in the field of biotechnology. It provides the researchers a better chance to develop disease models that are used to find treatments and prevention. This advanced science has helped to improve human health to a great extent. In the coming days, transgenesis is sure to become more and more fruitful.