Transgenic

Transgenic

The term transgenic refers to any organism in which a genome modification has been deliberately performed, resulting in a foreign gene being present in all cells, including the germ line, and can therefore be passed on to offspring.
In general, therefore, a transgenic organism is a living being (plant, animal, or microorganism) whose genome has been modified through genetic engineering techniques, introducing a gene from another species (or a modified version thereof).
This introduction allows the organism to express new characteristics that it would not have acquired naturally through traditional reproduction or selection.

Etymology –
The term Trans- comes from the Latin: “beyond, through,” while -genic comes from the Greek “genesis”: birth, origin; therefore, “obtained through a foreign gene.”

Main Techniques –
Below is a brief overview of the main techniques used to obtain a transgenic organism.
– Recombinant DNA: direct insertion of genes in the laboratory.
– CRISPR-Cas9: the most recent and precise gene editing technique.
– Agrobacterium tumefaciens (for plants): a bacterium used as a “shuttle” for gene transfer.
– Microinjection (for animals): direct insertion of the gene into the embryo.

Examples of transgenic organisms –
There are now numerous examples of organisms obtained with this technique, both for plant and animal species, including microorganisms; among these, we list the most well-known.
For plants, we have:
– Bt corn, obtained to resist insect pests.
– Roundup Ready soybeans, obtained to resist herbicides.
– Golden Rice, a species enriched with vitamin A.
Among animals, we include:
– Transgenic mice, which are used in biomedical research.
– Transgenic salmon, obtained for faster growth.
– Transgenic goats that produce milk with therapeutic proteins.
Microorganisms include:
– Transgenic bacteria that produce human insulin.
– Yeasts modified to produce bioethanol or vaccines.

Applications –
As is evident, transgenic organisms find application in various sectors. In agriculture, they are used to produce plants that are more resistant to insects, viruses, fungi, or harsh environmental conditions, and also to improve yield or nutritional value, as in the case of vitamin A-enriched Golden Rice. In the food industry, they enable the development of products with improved characteristics, such as longer-lasting foods or nutraceutical properties. In the medical field, they play a fundamental role in the production of drugs and therapeutic proteins, such as insulin or monoclonal antibodies, as well as in the study of diseases using genetically modified animal models; some are also being studied for animal-to-human transplants (xenotransplants). Finally, in the environmental field, transgenic microorganisms are engineered to degrade pollutants or contribute to the bioremediation of contaminated soil and water.
Let’s look at some specific applications.
– In agriculture: resistance to pests, diseases, environmental stress, nutritional enrichment.
– In medicine: production of drugs, vaccines, animal models for disease study.
– In industry: enzymes for detergents, food fermentation, biofuels.
– In the environment: plants that purify polluted soil (phytoremediation).

Advantages –
The goal of creating transgenic organisms is to offer numerous advantages that extend to various sectors. In agriculture, to achieve more abundant and safer harvests, reducing the use of pesticides and agrochemicals thanks to plants resistant to pests and diseases. This could also result in a lower environmental impact and economic savings for farmers. From a nutritional standpoint, some transgenic organisms allow us to enrich foods with health-promoting substances, helping to combat widespread nutritional deficiencies in various parts of the world. In medicine, the advantages are significant: the ability to produce essential drugs, such as insulin, in large quantities, ensures more accessible and effective treatments; Furthermore, genetically modified animals offer more reliable research models for studying human diseases. Finally, on the environmental level, the use of transgenic microorganisms for bioremediation helps clean up contaminated soil and water more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods.
Ultimately, the goal, though not always proven, is to:
– Increase agricultural yields.
– Reduce pesticide use.
– Produce more nutritious foods.
– Advances in biomedical research.

Risks and Controversies –
The use of transgenic organisms is accompanied by risks and heated controversy. In the environmental field, there are concerns that genetically modified plants could contaminate traditional or wild varieties through crossbreeding, reducing biodiversity. Furthermore, the prolonged use of insect- or herbicide-resistant crops could encourage the emergence of new, more aggressive pest species or resistant weeds, with consequences that are difficult to control. From a health perspective, despite controls, debate persists over the long-term effects of GM food consumption, particularly regarding possible allergies or intolerances. There are also ethical and social aspects: genetic manipulation of living organisms raises moral concerns, especially when it involves animals, and raises questions about the legality of “intervening” so profoundly in nature. Finally, a much-debated aspect is the economic one: large multinationals that hold patents on transgenic seeds risk increasing farmers’ dependence, reducing the autonomy of small farms and creating imbalances in the global market.
Below is a brief overview of the main risks and controversies.
– Environmental: risk of genetic contamination with wild species; emergence of “superweeds.”
– Health: fears (not always confirmed) of allergies or long-term effects.
– Ethical: debate over the manipulation of life, animal welfare, and multinational seed monopolies.
– Socioeconomic: farmers’ dependence on patents and transgenic seeds.

Regulatory –
The topic of GMOs is regulated differently depending on geographic and legislative contexts. In Europe, a cautious approach prevails, with strict regulations and a particular focus on transparency for consumers, while in the United States, transgenic crops are now an integral part of the agricultural system. Italy, while banning commercial cultivation, maintains a dedicated space for scientific research.
Alongside regulatory aspects, it is useful to clarify the main terms: GMO refers to any genetically modified organism, even without the addition of foreign genes; the term transgene refers specifically to an artificially inserted gene; Finally, biotechnology represents the broadest scientific field encompassing the development and application of these techniques. Below are some references.
– EU: very restrictive regulations, mandatory labeling for GMO foods >0.9%.
– USA: more permissive regulations, GMOs widely used in agriculture.
– Italy: commercial cultivation of GMOs prohibited, but research permitted.

Synonyms and Related Terms –
To better understand the vocabulary related to biotechnology and genetically modified organisms, it is helpful to clarify some terms often used synonymously or in related contexts. The main concepts and their distinctions are listed below.
– GMO (Genetically Modified Organism): broader, also includes organisms modified without the insertion of foreign genes.
– Transgene: the introduced foreign gene.
– Biotechnology: scientific field that uses modified organisms.