Cross Species Genetics (Post #2): Raisa Karim, Anni Li, Katie Shane

In The Amazing Spiderman, Dr. Connors and Peter Parker discuss cross species genetics and how the combination of DNA from an animal and human could be perfectly combined. That cross species genetics would be able to fight all diseases and disorders, leaving the individual immune. Upon further research, cross species genetics appears to be possible. If two organisms share over 93% of their genetic make up, then cross species genetics can be conducted.

GloFish

While humans have yet to experience the effects of cross-species genetics, science has already been experimenting, and has yielded successful results after crossing genes between plants, marine life and bacteria. For example, the GloFish is a genetically modified fish that is available commercially as a pet. The GloFish was created by inserting different colored fluorescent proteins from sea anemone or  jellyfish, into the embryos of zebrafish. These proteins were then allowed to integrate into the zebrafish genome thus producing a fluorescent fish. While they are now marketed as pets, they were originally bred to help detect environmental pollutants.

Also, scientists have been altering the genes of many species to create Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). A GMO is any organism that has had their genetic makeup altered by artificial means. Many plants have been genetically modified to be resistant to insects, viruses, and to tolerate herbicides. The desirable genes come from bacteria that are either naturally resistant, or have been artificially selected. They are then inserted into the genome of the plants.

An even more amazing example, scientists have been breeding goats that have the silk spinning genes of spiders. Scientists have been interested in spider silk for a while because of it’s elasticity and strength, scientists hope to use it for ligament repairs and other medical uses. There are even hopes that it can be used to help make bulletproof vests and better car airbags. The amount of spider silk needed for these applications is rather large. Scientists tried to “farm” spiders for their silk, however spiders are territorial and they turned cannibalistic. Researchers had to find a new way to produce spider silk in the quantities that they wanted, this is where the goats came in. The silk spinning gene was inserted into the goats in a way that the goats produce the silk proteins in their milk, which is then collected for it’s many uses.

Cross species genetics has proven its potential for disease curing procedures. The examples of modified organisms have revealed that these models are a powerful strategy for further gene screening and genetic investigation. It appears that in the near future, gene altered organisms may become not a fantasy of the past, but an innovative movement for bettering the quality of human life.