Genome Drugs

By: C. Brandon Brown

Restriction Enzymes:

cut certain segments of DNA that correspond to the enzymes cut sequence

these enzymes sequences are cut so that one base end is longer than the other, called the “sticky end”, this is so that the DNA sequence can attach itself again to the plasmid

Successes:before genetically engineered drugs and pharmaceuticals, diabetics relied on cows’ and pigs’ pancreases as their source of insulin

the process for manufacturing insulin requires the use of restriction enzymes and plasmids

Process:

Process Cont.:

Process Cont.:

the bacteria, E. Coli, are allowed to grow, as they multiply, insulin becomes a byproduct

the insulin is collected, filtered, and processed for diabetic patients

Successes Cont.:

another success of genetically altered medicines was with the Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

certain people have hormones that don’t produce the natural amount of HGH, this leads to certain types of human dwarfism

Success Cont.:

as with the insulin protein, the HGH protein was cut using restriction enzymes

after the recombinant DNA was placed within a plasmid, the bacteria grew and the protein was excreted

Success Cont.:

with the HGH being mass produced, the hormone could now be given to patients to help stop some forms of human dwarfism

there are now approximately 6 bacterial and 3 viral genetically engineered drugs that are open for public health

Applications:

Pharming:in pharming, scientists use livestock and crops to produce medically useful products

the livestock or crops are engineered with human DNA which code for a specific protein

the protein enriched crop or livestock is then harvested for medical use

Risks:

pharming, genetically engineered drugs, and other methods involving gene transplanting, are all highly experimental, and could cause possible irreversible consequences

with every breakthrough using genetic engineering, scientists must look at the social, economic, and environmental risks involved, even though the industry provides over 8 ½ billion dollars in revenue