Question

(a) Why are transgenic animals so called?
(b) With the help of an example each, explain the role of transgenic animals in the following:

• [(i)] Vaccine safety
• [(ii)] Biological products

Hint:

Transgenic animals carry foreign genes and are vital tools in biomedical research, vaccine testing, and drug production.

Answer 1

• [(a)] Animals that have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene are called transgenic animals.
• [(b)]
  1. [(i)] Vaccine safety: Transgenic mice are used to test the safety of vaccines before human use. Example: Transgenic mice used in the testing of polio vaccine.
  2. [(ii)] Biological products: Transgenic animals can produce valuable therapeutic proteins. Example: Rosie, the transgenic cow, produced human protein-enriched milk containing alpha-lactalbumin.