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