Genetically Modified Animal refers to any living organism whose genetic material has been manipulated or altered through the use of genetic engineering techniques. Genetic modification involves the insertion, deletion, or modification of specific genes within an animal's DNA to enhance or change certain traits or characteristics. This process is carried out in a laboratory setting, where scientists manipulate the animal's genes by introducing foreign DNA sequences obtained from other organisms.
The main objective of genetically modifying animals is to produce offspring with desired traits that may not naturally occur or to enhance beneficial traits already present. The inserted genes can encode for a wide range of characteristics, such as resistance to diseases or pests, improved growth rates, increased yield of certain products (e.g., milk in cows), or production of special proteins for therapeutic or industrial purposes.
Genetically Modified Animals have been developed across various species, including farm animals like cows, pigs, and chickens, as well as laboratory animals, such as mice and rats, which are commonly used in scientific research.
While genetically modified animals can offer potential benefits in terms of food production, disease prevention, or biomedical advancements, they also raise ethical concerns and may introduce potential risks to the environment and human health. Regulatory authorities in many countries have established stringent guidelines and policies to ensure the safe development, testing, and commercialization of genetically modified animals.
