Understanding Transgenic Mice and Their Role in Research
In recent news, a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump about funds supposedly spent on "making mice transgender" has drawn attention and correction. The intended reference was to transgenic mice, not transgender, which highlights a significant scientific concept.
Definition of Transgenic
- The term "transgenic" refers to an organism or cell whose genome has been altered by introducing foreign DNA from another species.
- These organisms are created in laboratories primarily for research purposes, as stated by the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Controversy and Clarification
The claim that millions were spent on transgender mice research stems from a report by the White Coat Waste Project, suggesting funds were improperly used. However, the White House clarified that the mentioned funds were part of research on gender-affirming care, involving hormone-treated mice.
Uses of Transgenic Mice in Research
- Transgenic mice are employed across various studies, including:
- Understanding gene functions through knockout mice, where specific genes are silenced.
- Demonstrating the role of DNA as the genetic material and oncogenes in cancer.
- Modeling human diseases and developing new treatments.
Impact on Genetic Research
- Senior investigator Paul P. Liu highlights the mouse's role in exploring gene-disease relationships, especially with the completion of the human and mouse genome sequences.
- According to Carolina J. Jorgez et al., mice provide vital insights into reproductive physiology due to their similarities with humans.
Importance in Cancer Research
- Ursa Lampreht Tratar et al. emphasize the significance of transgenic mice in cancer research, highlighting:
- The ability to explore links between candidate cancer genes and carcinogenesis.
- The development and testing of new cancer therapies.
The use of mice as models is advantageous due to their short generation time, prolific breeding, and genomic parallels with humans, making them indispensable in genetic and cancer research.
