Transgenic (or genetically modified) organisms are those that have been created through the insertion of foreign genes into their genomes. This can be done through various techniques, such as recombinant DNA technology or transgenesis. Transgenic organisms have been used for a variety of purposes, including the production of pharmaceuticals, the improvement of crop yields, and the creation of model systems for studying human diseases.
The first transgenic organism was created in 1973, when bacteria were engineered to produce human insulin. Since then, transgenic animals and plants have been generated that express a wide variety of proteins. Transgenic crops now account for a significant fraction of the world’s total food supply, and pharmaceuticals produced by transgenic animals are used to treat a number of diseases.
In recent years, there has been increasing public concern about the safety of transgenic foods and medicines. However, there is no evidence that any commercially available transgenic product poses a risk to human health. Indeed, many products derived from transgenic crops have actually been found to be more nutritious than their non-transgenic counterparts. In addition, strict regulations are in place to ensure that all transgenic products are safe for human use before they are allowed on the market.