GloFish imagesGenetically engineered organism (GEO) or
Genetically modified (
GM) Animals are organisms whose
genetic material has been altered using
genetic engineering techniques.
How is it done?
'Transgenesis' uses a tiny needle to inject a piece of
DNA into a fertilised egg. The egg then develops inside a surrogate mother. As her young grow up and are mated, future generations may contain this extra piece of
DNA as part of their genetic makeup. The problem is that transgenesis can only deal with relatively large chunks of genes and is rather random - the new
DNA doesn't always insert itself properly into the animal's own
DNA.
'
Gene targeting' uses
GM embryonic stem (ES) cells - the starter cells that can develop into any cell type in the body. New genes can be inserted into these cells, or existing genes can be 'knocked out'. The ES cells are then injected into very early, normal embryos, where they may develop into egg or sperm cells, and the modified gene is transmitted to the next generation.
Many different animals have been used, including pigs, sheep, poultry, fish and insects. In 2001,
ANDi, the first
GM monkey was born.
Genetically engineered Field Crops (
Rice, Maize, Sorghum, Wheet, Rhy, Millets ) and Food Items.
