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Essay about Genetically Modified Animals

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Genetically modified animals are an important category of the genetically modified organisms (EFSA, 2012). From EFSA and Paul Arnold (2013), genetic engineering of an animal involves manipulating or modifying the genetic code of the targeted animal to alter their original characteristics and introduce certain desired traits to the animal by adding to, substituting with or removing from genes of interest in a way that does not occur naturally (EFSA, 2012; Arnold, 2013). The genes of interest can be derived from another animal of the same species, an animal of another species, or even an organism of another kingdom (Arnold, 2013). Through the breakthroughs of genetic engineering techniques such as the recombinant DNA, genetic cloning, …show more content…

The LMOs have significant roles and are being used in the scientific research to elucidate events that range from the development of the embryo to events that occur decades later in people who have autoimmune diseases (Christenson, 1996). Through the addition of gene or genes knockout, scientists are able to study the function and regulation of the selected gene, effects of gene mutations, genetic diseases and last but not east the treatment of the genetic diseases (Arnold, 2013).Besides, the inter-relationship between the genes and the external factors such as the diet supplement and environment can be known by applying the genetic engineering techniques too (Boyd Group, 1999). LMOs are also proved to be the valuable tools in the development process of drug by providing a more accurate way to test the effectiveness of drugs (Christenson, 1996). In this case, mouse or mice is a very good example. Many different mouse models mimic the human’s diseases or processing relevant human receptor sites (Bedell et al., 1997). Through these mice models, scientists are able to study the mechanisms of disorders in many aspects from immunological, neurological, and inflammatory to cancers and working towards to develop more effective treatments such as pharmaceutical and gene therapy (Bedell et al., 1997). In agricultural application, since ancient, the animal breeders have always use the selective

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