Friday, January 18, 2008

Transgenic Animals A Necessity For Human Welfare

Nowadays, breakthroughs in molecular biology are happening at an unprecedented rate. One of them is the ability to create transgenic animals such as cows,mice,rats,rabbits,pigs and sheep.

Since the discovery of the molecular structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953, molecular biological research has gained momentum. Molecular biology technology combines techniques and expertise from biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, developmental biology and microbiology.

The fundamental principle in the creation of transgenic animals is the introduction of a foreign gene or genes into the animal. There are three basic methods that are used in transgenic technology known as DNA microinjection, retrovirus-mediated gene transfer and embryonic stem cell-mediated gene transfer.

The contribution of transgenic animals to human welfare is enormous. Transgenic cows produce more milk with lesser amount of lactose; transgenic sheep yield more quantity of wool.

The National Institute of Science and Media publishes books pertaining to molecular biology and science written by renowned researchers like Joel Ball.

You can have more information on books published by the National Institute of Science and Media by clicking here.

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