GROUP 3

Applications of Genetic Engineering in Animals

Outline:
- Introduction
- Applications of Genetic Engineering in Animals
- Examples of Animals that are genetically modified and description
- Pros and Cons of application of Genetic Engineering in Animals

Examples of Animals that are genetically modified and description.

1. AquAdvantage Salmon
- AquAdvantage Salmon has been genetically engineered so
that it grows faster and reaches an important growth marker
for the aquaculture business more quickly than Atlantic
salmon raised in farms without GE.
- It is engineered to reach market size in 18 months, half the
time of its natural counterpart.
- It does so because it contains an rDNA construct that is composed of the growth hormone gene from
Chinook salmon under the control of a promoter (a sequence of DNA that turns on the expression of a gene)
from another type of fish called an ocean pout.
2. GloFish
- Glofish are one of the first genetically modified animals to
become popular within the pet trade.
- These fish were developed by introducing different
fluorescent proteins into the genome of the fish at the early
stages of development.
- The goal of producing fish that had these fluorescent
proteins was to improve biomedical and environmental
research. It was thought they would be able to detect pollution
within the environment. Now these fish are bred specifically for the ornamental fish pet trade.
3. GM Mosquitos
- A British company called Oxitec created genetically modified
male mosquitoes that carry a “self-limiting gene.” This means
that when they are released into the wild and procreate with
female mosquitoes, their offspring die at a young age.
- GM mosquitos have been successfully used in parts of Brazil,
the Cayman Islands, Panama, and India to control and reduce
Aedis aegypti mosquitoes. (Mosquitoes that spread viruses
including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya)
4. PRRS-resistant pigs 
- Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) causes
significant harm to the welfare of pigs worldwide (extreme
difficulty reproducing, don’t gain weight and have a high
mortality rate), as well as annual revenue losses of £1.8 billion in
the US and Europe.
- In 2018, scientists from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin
Institute announced they had successfully eradicated the section
of DNA that leaves pigs vulnerable to the porcine reproductive
and respiratory syndrome.

5. GM cows that produce ‘human’ milk

- A team, led by the China Agricultural University, has

successfully introduced human genes into 300 cows to produce
"human" milk which is known to contain high quantities of key
nutrients that can help to boost the immune system of babies and
reduce risk of infections.
- The scientists inserted a human gene into the cows' genetic
information, and the animals' mammary glands now imbue their
milk with large quantities of lysozyme, a protein that is abundant
in human milk, making it much healthier and more nutritious,
according to Ning Li of China's Agricultural University in
Beijing, who led the research.
- Initial research suggests it is indeed safe and may provide significant health benefits, experts say. But
much more testing must be done — and will be done expected within 10 years’ time.
Applications of Genetic Engineering in Animals
Genetic engineering in animals has a wide range of applications, both in research and practical fields Below
are few of the important applications of genetic engineering in animals:
1. Agriculture
 Aquaculture - Genetically modified fish can be created to grow more quickly, resist disease, and
adapt to different environments.
 Reduced Environmental Impact - By producing less pollution and requiring fewer resources,
genetically modified animals can aid in reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
2. Animal Welfare:
 Disease Resistance - Genetic engineering can help create animals that are more resistant to diseases,
reducing the need for antibiotics and improving animal welfare.
 Reduced Suffering - Modifications can be made to animals to reduce pain and suffering, such as
hornless cattle or pigs with reduced susceptibility to stress in crowded conditions.
3. Food Production:
 Enhanced Nutritional Value - Genetic engineering can be used to create animals that produce meat or
milk with improved nutritional profiles.

It's essential to note that the use of genetic engineering in animals raises ethical, environmental, and
regulatory concerns, and the applications should be carefully evaluated and regulated to ensure their
responsible and ethical use.

Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering

Pros of Genetic Engineering in Animals:
1. Health Boost: Scientists can make animals
healthier and more resilient to diseases, which is
great for animal well-being.
2. More Food: Genetic engineering helps produce
more meat, milk, and eggs to meet the demand for
food.
3. Nutrient Enrichment: Animal products like
meat can be made healthier by adding essential
nutrients.
4. Environmentally Friendly: It can reduce the
negative impact of animal farming on our
environment.
5. Scientific Research: Genetically modified
animals can be used for studying diseases and
developing new medicines.
Cons of Genetic Engineering in Animals:
1. Ethical Concerns: Some people worry that
altering genes might be unfair or harm animals.
2. Environmental Risks: Releasing modified
animals into nature could disrupt ecosystems and
create problems.
3. Long-Term Unknowns: We don't always know
what might happen in the future when we tinker
with genes.
4. Less Animal Variety: Genetic engineering
could lead to fewer diverse animal breeds.
5. Consumer Doubts: Some people might be
hesitant to eat genetically modified animal
products due to safety or ethical concerns.
6. Complex Regulations: Making and controlling
genetically modified animals is complicated and
requires strict rules.
Sources:

‌Center. (2023). AquAdvantage Salmon Fact Sheet. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/aquadvantage-salmon/aquadvantage-salmon-fact-sheet

Perry, S. (2022, August 26). What Are Glofish? Petmd.com; PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/fish/what-are-

glofish

Young, C. (2020, April 28). 11 Real Examples of Genetically Modified Organisms: Marvels or Monsters.

Interestingengineering.com; Interesting Engineering. https://interestingengineering.com/science/11-

real-examples-of-genetically-modified-organisms-marvels-or-monsters

Genetically Engineered Pigs to Fight Disease | Bio-Rad. (2014). Bio-Rad. https://www.bio-rad-

antibodies.com/blog/pigs-to-fight-disease.html#:~:text=CD163%20knockout%20pigs%20are

%20fully,reproductive%20and%20respiratory%20syndrome%20virus.

‌CDC. (2022, July 25). Genetically Modified Mosquitoes . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/community/emerging-methods/genetically-

modified-mosquitoes.html

‌DHNS. (2011, April 3). Now, genetically modified cows that produce “human” milk! Deccan Herald.

https://www.deccanherald.com/archives/now-genetically-modified-cows-produce-2405087

‌Wolchover, N. (2011, June 10). Cows Make Humanized Milk. But Is It Safe? Livescience.com; Live

Science. https://www.livescience.com/14538-cows-humanized-milk-safe.html