Legal Definitions - transgenic

A transgenic organism is a living being whose genetic makeup has been intentionally altered by incorporating genetic material (DNA) from a different species into its own genome.

This introduced DNA becomes a stable and functional part of the organism's genetic code, often leading to the expression of new traits or characteristics that the organism would not naturally possess.

• Example 1: Drought-Tolerant Plants

  Consider a crop plant, such as wheat, that is engineered to better withstand periods of drought. Scientists might introduce a specific gene from a desert-dwelling bacterium or another plant species known for its extreme drought resistance into the wheat's DNA. This foreign gene could enable the wheat plant to conserve water more efficiently or tolerate dry conditions for longer periods. The wheat plant is considered transgenic because it now contains and expresses genetic material originally from a different species, giving it a new, beneficial trait for agriculture.

• Example 2: Disease-Modeling Animals

  In medical research, scientists sometimes create mice that develop symptoms similar to human diseases, such as Alzheimer's. This can be achieved by inserting specific human genes associated with the disease into the mouse's genetic material. These human genes then direct the mouse's cells to produce certain proteins or exhibit cellular changes characteristic of the human condition. Such a mouse is transgenic because it carries and expresses human genes, allowing researchers to study the disease progression and test potential treatments in a living system.