Transgenic animals are animals that have been genetically modified to contain genes from other species. These genes, known as transgenes, are integrated into the animal's genome and can be inherited by offspring.
Benefits of Transgenic Animals:
1. Medical Research: Transgenic animals are used to model human diseases, aiding in the study of genetic disorders and testing of treatments.
2. Gene Therapy: Transgenic animals can be used to produce proteins that are important for human therapy, such as insulin or clotting factors.
3. Improved Livestock: Genetic modification can improve disease resistance, growth rates, and nutritional content in livestock.
4. Pharmaceutical Production: Transgenic animals can be used to produce valuable pharmaceuticals in their milk or blood, such as antibodies or hormones.
Final Answer:
Transgenic animals are genetically modified to contain foreign genes, and their benefits include advancing medical research, gene therapy, improving livestock, and pharmaceutical production.