GMOS in Biomedical Research.

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GMOS in Biomedical Researchhttp://www.ca-biomed.org/pdf/mediakit/CBRAGMO.pdfA GMO is an animal, plant, or microorganism that has genes that have been modified using the gene technologies of molecular biology. This is a process where the traits or characteristics of an organism are changed by modifying genes within a species or transferring individual genes from one species to another (transgenics). The modification of genes can occur by eliminating certain genes altogether within an organism, modifying genes by turning them off or on, altering the location of genes, or adding copies of specific genes from other organisms.Other associated terminology includes genetic engineering, and transgenics or recombinant DNA (inserting a gene from one species to another).The use of genetically modified organisms represents an enormous advance in the science of biological and medical research, and GMOs are playing an

increasingly important role in the discovery and development of newmedicines. Most diseases, from cancer to dementia, are partly caused by our genetic makeup and over 10,000 diseases are caused by a single faulty gene. GMOs can help researchers to understand the workings of human andanimal genes, and allow researchers and scientists to better understand the role of genes in specific diseases.GMO-based medical research is also fundamental to developing new ways to treat and cure: to create and produce vaccines to prevent disease (for example a vaccine for HIV), to develop new and more efficient ways to create antibodies for the treatment of disease, and to develop and manufacture pharmaceuticals. For example, until the mid-1980's most insulin was produced by extracting a human-equivalent insulin from the pancreas of animals(usually pigs). Thanks to GMO-based research, the genetic sequence for insulin was removed from human DNA, and then inserted into

the DNA of a bacteria (Escherrichia coli -E. coli). Insulin for treating diabetes has now beenproduced with this genetically engineered bacteria for more than 20 years (Sales for this insulin, Humulin were more than $1 billion in 2003). [Human insulin created by GE has already been found to have more side effects than natural animal insulin - Jagannath]Likewise, genetic modification in bacteria has resulted in the production andmarketing of human growth hormone and somatostatin, and a genetically engineered version of erythropoietin, a protein that simulates the formation of red blood cells had more than $2.4 billion in sales in 2003. Clearly, genetically engineered medicines are in great demand.In addition to protein drugs, research on antibodies and vaccines developed through recombinant DNA and genetic modification is

an emerging market. While there are not currently a large number of vaccines so derived on the market and in use at the clinical setting (both human and veterinary care), research underway shows amazing promise and vaccines and treatments using these techniques will soon be very common and widespread.[As far as I know the various Hepatitis vaccines, the Influenza vaccine, and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine are genetically engineered. All these vaccines have very serious side effects. In case of medicines, some drugs to treat cancer and also AIDs are genetically engineered. There certainly are more. Some time back a GE drug trial was ended abruptly after all the subjects developed serious life threatening problems. Many companies have closed shop after such fiascos. Currently it is suspected that such trials may be going on in secret in developing countries and also in prisons. -

Jagannath]For example, a new vaccine based on genetically modified peanut proteins could protect people with peanut allergies from developing a life-threatening allergic response, and researchers are working on genetically engineering bacteria to prevent cavities and tooth decay.Because isolating antibodies in large quantities is difficult, genetic engineering offers great promise for not only developing treatments and cures using these methods, but also in making such treatments widely available andaffordable. GMO production methods in bacteria and plants have the potential to lower the time and cost for vaccine production, while at the same time offering a wide range of advantages. Often called “biopharming” genetic modification within an plant allows for researchers to more rapidly develop organisms that exhibit certain characteristics, produce needed biologicals, or offer genetic models necessary for medical research and the development of

treatment, vaccines, or cures.In addition, the treatment for numerous human (and animal) aliments such as cancer, herpes, and infectious diseases require human and viral proteins (antibodies, enzymes, etc.) that can only be derived from living systems. Currently, the majority of these drugs are based on such material taken and cultivated from animal cell cultures. However, the production of such needed antibodies from animal cells is expensive, making the resulting drugs too expensive for most patients. [but what has caused the explosion of such complex diseases in the first place? Biotechnology is silent on this issue. The case is exactly similar to GM crop which is being promoted after the failure of the Green Revolution. Medical Science too has erred and erred substantially. But nobody will admit it - Jagannath]Second, and more critical, there are simply not enough of these

materials being produced to meet existing demand, much less projected future demands based on the number of new drugs in development. When reviewing the therapies currently in development, by 2010 there could be more than 30 antibody-dependent products competing for this same basic supply of materials.Many genetically modified plants have already provided critical information and are in use to produce such necessary antibodies, and continue to offer great promise. Pond algae, tobacco plants, and soy are only a few of the many plants that have contributed greatly to medical advancement. Exploration and continued development of GMO-based protein expression is necessary if we are to produce affordable, life-saving medicines for the future.There are no current means to express such proteins outside of living cells.GMOs and Transgenic AnimalsWhile most often regarded as a crop or plant issue, “Genetically modified

organisms” or GMOs also includes genetically modified animals that are frequently a part of biomedical research. Like other forms of geneticmodification, animals can be genetically modified in several ways, for example by removing genes from its DNA structure or by adding new. Gene knockouts allow researchers to delete individual genes from animals, giving usvaluable clues as to what those genes do. In others modifications, researchers introduce new genetic material into suitable hosts (typically rodents), from other species, often human. Commonly referred to as transgenic, theseanimals have been genetically engineered/modified to create new or isolate existing characteristics. In many cases this has no noticeable effect, while in some cases the alteration leads the animal to develop the equivalent of a human disease being studied.These transgenic animals have proven to be an important way not only to study a disease, but also to treat or even cure

a disease. As an example, to get specific human antibodies for use in drug development, mice have beendeveloped that are capable of making fully human antibodies, in place of the normal mouse antibodies that are normally generated. Such mice can be injected with cells or material from a human tumor or an infectious agent.The mice respond with a human antibody response instead of a mouse antibody response. Researchers then immortalize the antibody-producing cells from the mice into special nutrients so they multiply, producingtherapeutic quantities of monoclonal antibodies. As a result of such research, at least 33 fully human antibodies have been tested in human clinical trials to date.These antibodies are analogous to approved antibody therapeuticssuch as Erbitux for colorectal cancer; Remicade and Humira for rheumatoid arthritis; three drugs for preventing organ transplant rejection; and Xolair for asthma. While almost all of the

aforementioned antibodies are originallymouse in origin, the transgenic mice that produce fully human antibodies are a potential advantage over these therapeutics as their antibodies are fully tolerated in humans; mouse-derived antibodies can be quickly rejected.None of these advances would have been possible without research using genetically modified organisms.Other examples of GMOs or transgenic animals being used in medical research include transgenic goats to produce TPA or tissue plasminogen activator, and Antithrombin 3 for the treatment of blood clots; Factor 8 andfactor 9 being produced in sheep for the treatment of blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia; and human protein C in pigs for use as an anticoagulant; the development of CFTR for the treatment of cystic fibrosis; and theproduction of MSP-1 antigen in transgenic mice. MSP-1 produces a human antibody response to malaria, and could be the basis for an eventual malaria vaccine.

Researchers are developing techniques for treatinggastrointestinal disturbances, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer' s Disease, hepatitis, and herpes infections.Researchers are working with dairy cattle to produce milk with an inactive b-lactoglobulin milk protein so that people with lactose-intolerance can eat dairy products. Another role genetically modified or transgenic animalsplay in research is xenotransplantation – the production of tissues and organs in animals for human use. New heart valves from pigs are an important example.Pharmaceutical products derived from genetically modified organisms are also developed for veterinary use. An example is the use of a recombinant vaccine-rabies virus for vaccinating foxes against rabies, which is moreefficacious and safer than the conventional attenuated SAD B19 strain. This strain, which is still used sometimes, is pathogenic for some non-target mammals. Another is the recombinant Merial canarypox DNA

vaccine (forWest Nile Disease) that incorporates WNV membrane and envelope proteins into the canarypox DNA and expresses these proteins following administration.Research is also currently underway using forms of GMOs to address Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE - mad-cow disease), various influenzas, feline HIV and leukemia, among many others.US: 1 in 150 children has AutismUS: 1 in 6 children suffers a developmental disorderNew Jersey: 1 in 94 has Autism UK: 1 in 86 has Autism China : Over 20 lakh autistic children, India : No authentic figures, expected one crore+ (1 in 250) AUTISM IS NOTHING BUT MERCURY POISONING. THERE IS MERCURY IN VACCINES!!

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