A transgenic, or genetically modified, animal is one whose genes have altered through recombinant DNA technology, which involves either the combining of DNA from different genomes or the insertion of foreign DNA into a genome (Pray, 2008). The whole transgenic process began over 12,000 years ago(G). Transgenic animals have come a long way since 10,000BCE (G). Today, they provide benefits to the agricultural industry, manufacturing industry, and in the medical field (Margawati T, 2003).
The nucleus of all cells in every living organism contains genes made up of DNA. These genes store information that regulates how our bodies form and function. Genes can be altered artificially, so that some characteristics of an animal are changed. For example, an embryo can have an extra, functioning gene from another source artificially introduced into it, or a gene introduced which can knock out the functioning of another particular gene in the embryo. Animals that have their DNA manipulated in this way are knows as transgenic animals (Margawati T, 2003).
This video explains what transgenic mice are and how they can be used. It also explains the process of creating a transgenic mouse and how they impact the world.
This video explains the process as well as some of the uses for transgenic animals.