Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 14.5 Examples of Genetic Engineered Cells
Product
Use
Host organism
Insulin
Human hormone used to treat diabetes
Bacteria/yeast
HGH
Human growth hormone, used to treat dwarfism
Bacteria
BST
Bovine growth hormone, used to increase milk yield of cows
Bacteria
Factor VIII
Human blood clotting factor, used to treat hemophiliacs
Bacteria
Anti-thrombin
Anti-blood clotting agent used in surgery
Goats
Penicillin
Antibiotic, used to kill bacteria
Fungi/bacteria
Vaccines
Hepatitis B antigen, for vaccination
Yeast
AAT
Enzyme used to treat cystic fibrosis and emphysema
Sheep
b
-glucosidase
Enzyme used to treat Pompe's disease
Rabbits
DNase
Enzyme used to treat cystic fibrosis
Bacteria
Rennin
Enzyme used in manufacture of cheese
Bacteria/yeast
Cellulase
Enzyme used in paper production
Bacteria
PHB
Biodegradable plastic
Plants
the hype in the public and regulations brought by government agencies, but one have the
professional responsibility to maintain a sustainably safe environment for the society. The
successes of genetic engineering and its applications are increasing each year as our under-
standing of the genetic systems and their effects on the overall health of the living organisms
as a whole. The applications so far can be considered in three groups.
Gene productsd Using genetically modified organisms (usually microbes) to produce
chemicals, usually for medical or industrial applications. The biggest and most successful
kind of genetic engineering is the production of gene products. These products are of
medical, agricultural, or commercial value. Table 14.5 shows a few of the examples of genet-
ically engineered products that are already available.
New phenotypesd Using gene technology to alter the characteristics of organisms
(usually farm animals or crops). This is an extremely sensitive area. The progress is limited
not only by the perfection of methods but by our understanding of the effects they may bring,
as well as public perception.
Gene therapyd Using gene technology on humans to treat a disease. Safety is paramount
and the uncertainty has prevented many potential applications. This is the most sensitive area
and has the least successful applications. Nevertheless, there have been cases of attempts
since 1970s. The first approved gene therapy case in the United States took place on
September 14, 1990, at the National Institute of Health. It was performed on a 4-year-old
girl named Ashanti DeSilva. It was a treatment for a genetic defect that left her with an
immune system deficiency. The effects were only temporary, but successful. In 1992, Doctor
Claudio Bordignon working at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy performed
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