Transgenic organisms are organisms that have been genetically modified to contain a gene or genes from another species. This is achieved through genetic engineering techniques.
Characteristics Of Transgenic Organisms:
- Incorporation of Foreign Genes - Transgenic organisms have one or more genes inserted into their genome from a different species. These foreign genes can be used to express new traits or produce proteins that are not normally present in the organism.
- Heritable Changes - The genetic modifications introduced into transgenic organisms are typically heritable, meaning that the new traits or characteristics can be passed on to their offspring. This is useful for producing consistent traits across generations.
- Applications Across Fields - Transgenic organisms are used in various fields, including agriculture (e.g., genetically modified crops with resistance to pests or diseases), medicine (e.g., bacteria or yeast producing human proteins or vaccines), and research (e.g., model organisms for studying gene function and disease).
