Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is the method of correcting the defective gene responsible for producing a particular disease. This is accomplished by cutting out the defective gene with a restriction enzyme and inserting the corrected gene in its place.
This process is done in two ways:
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Cells containing the corrected gene are grown in the laboratory and injected into the patient.
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A vector, usually a virus, is modified to carry human DNA with the corrected gene and injected directly into human target cells.
The corrected DNA then binds to the target cell and cures the disease.
How Viruses Are Used in Gene Therapy
A virus can enter a cell and attach its DNA to the infected cell's chromosomes based on the following:
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Viruses can introduce drugs into target cells.
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Desired genes are introduced.
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They can be widely applied in genetic engineering.
Applications
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The hepatitis B virus antigen-producing gene has been introduced into tobacco plants through TMV (Tobacco Mosaic Virus).
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A hepatitis B vaccine has been developed using this method. This vaccine does not require refrigeration like conventional vaccines, making it accessible in rural areas where it can be consumed directly as a vaccine. However, it has not been released on the market yet.
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Production of oral vaccines in maize is also underway but has not yet reached the market.
Molecular Farming
Molecular farming involves developing transgenic animals to be used as bio-reactors. Medicines are extracted from milk, blood, and excreta obtained from these genetically modified animals.