BRAINCAKEGene Technology in Animals
Genetic modification of animals is used in agriculture, medicine and research. Transgenic animals are usually made by microinjecting DNA into fertilised eggs.
Pharming
Producing pharmaceutical proteins in GM animals is called pharming.
1. The human gene for the protein is joined to the promoter of a milk protein gene, such as β-lactoglobulin.
2. This DNA is microinjected into a fertilised egg of a sheep, goat or cow, and the egg is implanted into a surrogate.
3. Female offspring that have the gene are identified. Because the gene has a milk protein promoter, it is expressed only in the mammary glands.
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Key terms in this lesson
- promoter
- A DNA sequence next to a gene that RNA polymerase binds to, allowing the gene to be transcribed.
More in Gene Technology
- Transgenic Plants
- Cloning Plants
- Genetic Modification of Crops
- Genetic Modification of Soya Bean
- Gene Technology in Humans
- Knockout Mice
- Human Gene Therapy
- Ethics
All 17 lessons in Gene Technology · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics