HOW CAN WE MAKE DRUGS IN THE FUTURE?

Three main methods

• Microorganisms

• Plants

• Animals

GMO - Microorganisms

1. The gene that produces the protein used as the drug is isolated using restriction enzymes.

2. The same restriction enzymes are then used to insert the gene into plasmids

3. The plasmids are transferred into the bacteria

4. Then the bacteria will grow and divide synthesising lots of the protein

5. Finally you take the drug produced (insulin) and purify it for use

GMO - Plants

1. Gene inserted into bacterium

2. Bacterium infects plant cell inserting gene into plant cell DNA

3. Plant grows producing desired protein

4. The desired protein is then extracted and purified for use as medical drugs

Examples include: Human insulin and cholera vaccine

GMO - Animals

1. Insert gene into fertilised egg cell

2. Implanted into surrogate mother

3. Drug usually taken from milk of GM animal

Uses: Human antithrombin from GM goats

Advantages & disadvantages

Advantages Disadvantages

GM crops – herbicide and pesticide resistance

Environmental risks of GMOs

Humans – treat diseases such as type II diabetes

Interbreeding: herbicide resistant plants + weeds and drugs become present in plants that shouldn’t be there

Improve nutrition of people who depend heavily on rice(mainly LEDC’s)

Ethical concerns – it is unethical to genetically modify plants and animals

Vaccines produced by plants don’t need refrigeration