1.Transgenic animals are animals that have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene. For example, transgenic mice, rats, rabbits, pigs, sheeps, cows and fish have been produced. 2. Common reasons for developing transgenic animals are: (ii) Study of diseases can be done by studying genes, which are responsible for causing diseases in human and their treatments. For example, transgenic models have been developed for many diseases like cancer, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease.(iii) Biological products can be produced by introducing the portion of DNA, which codes for a particular product into transgenic animals. For example, (a) Human protein (a-1 antitrypsin) is used to treat emphysema.(ii) The first transgenic cow in 1997, Rosie produced human protein enriched milk : (iv) Vaccine safety can be ensured by testing vaccines on transgenic mice before being used in humans, e.g. polio vaccine. (v) Chemical safety testing known as toxicity/safety testing can be done in transgenic animals. (a) These animals are made to carry genes, which make them more sensitive to the toxic substances than non-transgenic animals. (b) When exposed to toxic substances, their effects are studied in a short time. 3. Ethical issues in biotechnology applications are (i) Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into an ecosystem. (ii) The modification/usage of living organisms for public services (food/medicine for example) has also created problems with patents granted for the same. (iii) In order to control these issues, the Indian Government has set-up organisations such as Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), which make decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for public services. 4. Biopatent It is the right granted by the government to an inventor for production of biological entities, i.e. GM microbes, plants and animals and products derived from them or applications of such organisms and products. (i) Public is concerned that certain companies are being granted patents for products and technologies that make use of the genetic materials, plants and other biological resources that have long been developed by farmers and indigenous people of a specific region/country. (ii) For example, (a) Rice is being used since thousands of years in Asian countries, of which 20,0000 varieties are in India alone. (b) Basmati rice is famous for its aroma and flavour, whose 27 varieties are cultivated in India. (c) An American company in 1997, got patent rights for Basmati rice through the US Patent and Trademark Office and was allowed to sell a ‘new’ variety of Basmati in the US and abroad. (d) This new variety of Basmati was derived from Indian farmer’s varieties. (e) Indian Basmati was crossed with semi-dwarf varieties and claimed as an invention or novelty. (f) Besides Basmati rice, now attempts are in progress for turmeric and neem (Indian traditional herbal medicines). (iii) If attention is not paid immediately to counter these patent applications, other countries/individuals may encash on our rich legacy. 5. Biopiracy refers to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organisations without proper authorisation from the countries and people concerned without any payment. . (i) The industrialised nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge, in comparison to developing and under developed countries. (ii) Traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can be exploited to develop modern applications and to save time, efforts and expenditure. (iii) Some nations are developing laws to prevent such unauthorised exploitation of their bio-resources and traditional knowledge. (iv) The Indian Parliament has recently cleared the second Amendment of the Indian Patents Bill. It takes consideration of such issues including patent terms, emergency provisions, research and development initiative. Previous Years Examination Questions 1 Mark Questions 2. What was the speciality of the milk produced by the transgenic cow Rosie? [All India 2008] 3. A multinational company outside India tried to sell new varieties of turmeric without proper patent rights. What is such an act referred to? [All India 2008] 4. What does the organisation GEAC do? Check with reference to genetic 6. How have transgenic animals proved to be beneficial in 7. How is ‘Rosie’ considered different from a normal cow? Explain. 8. Biopiracy should be prevented. State why and how? [All India 2011] (ii) The countries/people also lose their right to grow and use breeding experiments to improve the other varieties of the same species. 9. Describe the responsibility of GEAC, set-up by the Indian Government. [Delhi 2009] 10. What are transgenic animals? Explain any four ways in which such animals can be beneficial for humans. [Foreign 2008] (iv) Transgenic mice are developed to test the safety of vaccines before being used in humans. Important Questions for Class 12 BiologyClass 12 BiologyNCERT Solutions Home Page |