Genetic Engineering in Veterinary Medicine
Obstacle has been observed to overcome in gene therapy, including cell and nucleus entry, intracellular stability of vectors, transfection and ethical issues. Shortcomings in gene transfer vectors and inadequate understandings of the biological interactions of the vectors with the host are the major difficulties at the basic level. Successful gene therapy not only requires the identification of the appropriate therapeutic gene but also relies heavily on the delivery system in which the gene can be delivered both efficiently and accurately. The delivery system must be restricted in such a way as to leave the normal cells unaffected by any detrimental affects of bystander cell transduction. Studying the differences between human diseases and animal model phenotypes may lead into insights of disease pathogenesis that may be exploited either by gene therapy or pharmacological approaches.
The results of genetic engineering have reached in practical veterinary medicine already. The number of applications of nucleic acid probes and DNA products such as monoclonal antibodies for clinical and diagnostic use in veterinary medicine are increasing rapidly. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is having a major impact in the diagnostics area of veterinary medicine. PCR is so sensitive that just a single virus, bacterium, parasite or cell is sufficient to be detected, provided part of its nucleic acid sequence is known. The impact of monoclonal antibodies on diagnostic technologies and therapeutic regimes has been equally dramatic. Biotechnological methods continue to show promise for improved diagnostic and prophylactic purposes.
Melanoma is a common neoplastic disease of dogs with varied presentation and biological behavior. Canine malignant melanoma is a rapidly metastatic disease that is, in general, incurable. A recent genetic therapy study has shown promise in reducing the mortality of dogs affected with malignant melanoma. In another study, the antigen identified by MAb’s was observed to be a well-conserved, highly expressed cell surface protein that was present during all phases of the cell cycle during malignant canine melanoma. This consistency in expression suggested that the antigen may be potentially useful to treat dogs with melanoma. It was found that by treating metastatic melanoma in canine with tumor surgery , radiotherapy, and repeated local injections of xenogenic Vero cells relapse less frequently and survive longer than those dogs treated with surgery and radiotherapy alone.
Another potential use of genetic engineering is tissue or organ transplants. Scientists hope that genetically engineered animals with human genes can produce a therapeutic protein and send the correct signal to the human. However, there are many problems that need to be addressed, including rejection of transplant tissue. Moreover, as pointed out at the time of the earlier ‘Dolly’ announcement,much development work is necessary and particular aspects will need ethical acceptance.
For a long time, human beings have been breeding animals to increase their strength, feed efficiency and disease resistance. The disease which was previously found to be incurable has taken a pronounced change today and can be revolutionized in future.
Considerable progresses have been made in veterinary medicine through genetic engineering but there appears a clear and legitimate need to address the major difficulties associated with this area of research, including safety and ethical issues, before proceeding to any application of the research findings and fundamental principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and respect for the integrity of the animal. Despite the significant problems and challenges associated with this area, recombinant DNA technology has the potential to transfigure the vaccination of animals, promote the production of recombinant proteins to treat deadly diseases in both animals and humans and also has potential for nutritional applications. Moreover, this technology could help the scientist to develop accurate diagnostic tests for common animal diseases thereby increasing overall animal efficiency while aiding farmers economically with due asset.
Started with obstacles and ended up with asset; this is how genetic engineering amazes us!
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