Transgenic organisms are those that have been genetically modified by adding a foreign gene. The word "transgenic" is pronounced /trænzˈdʒɛn.ɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "t" is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative /θ/ in some dialects, such as British English, and as a voiceless alveolar stop /t/ in others, such as American English. The second syllable "genic" is pronounced with a soft "g" sound /dʒ/ and the final syllable "ic" is pronounced with a long "ee" sound /ɪk/.
Transgenic organisms are living entities that have been modified at the genetic level by inserting genes from one species into the genome of another species. This process involves the deliberate alteration or manipulation of an organism's genetic makeup, typically through the introduction of foreign DNA. The inserted gene can come from the same species or different species, including plants, animals, or microorganisms.
The aim of creating transgenic organisms is to confer specific traits or qualities onto the recipient organisms that they do not naturally possess. This genetic engineering technique allows scientists to enhance desirable characteristics, such as improved crop yields, increased resistance to diseases or pests, or the production of therapeutic proteins.
The process of creating transgenic organisms involves several steps. First, the gene of interest is isolated and extracted from the donor organism. It is then incorporated into a carrier molecule called a vector, which is often a modified version of a virus or a plasmid. The vector is then introduced into the target organism using various techniques, such as microinjection, gene gun, or viral vectors. Once inside the target organism's cells, the vector delivers the foreign gene, which becomes integrated into the recipient organism's DNA.
Transgenic organisms have numerous applications in agriculture, medicine, and research. However, their production and release also raise ethical, environmental, and safety concerns, as their long-term effects on ecosystems and human health are not yet fully understood.
The word "transgenic" is derived from two components: "trans" and "genic".
1. "Trans" is a Latin prefix meaning "across" or "beyond". It is commonly used to indicate movement or change from one place or state to another. In the context of transgenic organisms, it indicates the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another.
2. "Genic" is derived from the Greek word "genos", which means "birth", "origin", or "race". It is frequently used to express something related to genes or genetics.
Therefore, the term "transgenic" refers to organisms that have been altered by the transfer of genes from one species to another, resulting in the introduction of foreign genetic material or changes to their genetic makeup.