Hazard and problems of
recombinant DNA technology
and the possible techniques to
minimize bio-hazard
Introduction
• Recombinant DNA technology, sometimes referred to as
"genetic engineering,“ are ethical in nature.
• Some people feel that recombinant DNA technology goes
against the laws of nature, or against their religious
beliefs, due to how much control this technology gives
humans over the most basic buildings blocks of life.
Hazard and problems of recombinant
DNA technology
• During early era of life sciences, biosafety principles and
guidelines were mostly applied in the field of
microbiology and medical practices. In recent time,
biosafety guidelines are designed and applied to research
involving recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques.
Handling, production, storing and transportation of
genetically modified organism (GMOs) involve different
biosafety issues under different category. Biosafety
practices deal with the application of standard safety
principles handling hazardous material/agents to
minimize potential harmful effect on human health and
environment.
• - The use of recombinant DNA technology in production
of transgenic animals can lead to problems due to
mistakes or unexpected results from experiments. There
is evidence that certain transgenic species show increased
gestation length, body weight, and abnormalities for
example in sheep and cattle.
• - Genes inserted into these animals can create new
insertion mutations, causing loss of most gene function
and hence developmental defects.
Example
• Transgenic animals with increased growth hormone
production to provide more food and grow faster have
been shown to develop symptoms such as arthritis,
stress, irregular heart and lung function and early death.
• -Production of transgenic plants reduces genetic diversity
of plants due to selection of these plants against the
traditional varieties. These could lead to extinction these
traditional varieties. It also leads to increased
expenditure on germplasm conservation of the traditional
varieties.
• Today Scientists are making so many
mutants by this technology, especially of
plants that any wrong mutant plant
species if introduced accidentally in crop
fields can become invasive very soon and
will compete the native important plant
species for space , nutrients and light.
• Genetically modified organism (plants
or animals) can interbreed with natural
organisms and contaminate natural
environment with loss of natural flora
and fauna. Also the result of such
interbreed is unpredictable and is
matter of concern.
One of the major problem
• Resistance of people to genetically modified foods.
People don’t like to eat foods which have been genetically
altered. ( GOM )
• Utilization of Recombinant DNA requires high technical
skill and complicated equipment. And some techniques
require long days to complete.
• Some techniques especially in transgenic animal
development have got a high failure rate e.g.
implantation. This failure rate is significantly increased
for embryos manipulated in Petri dishes. Soma clonal
variation created during tissue culture creates differences
which are not related to the gene of interest.
• Sometimes even when transgenes are developed, they
become unstable and lost in the genome even if they are
still present (lose expression).
• Some recombinant DNA technologies involve the
exposure to harmful carcinogenic substances. For
example during organic DNA extraction, exposure to
ethidium bromide during Gel electrophoresis and UV
light this can lead to cancer.
• Other people worry that humans may begin tampering too
much with their own genetic material and create societal
problems.
• What if people use recombinant DNA technology to live
longer?
• become stronger?
• or handpick certain traits for their offspring?
• Will societal division swell between genetically modified
people and "normal" people?
• These are questions that scientists and the public will likely
continue to consider as humanity moves toward a future where
manipulating DNA is easier than ever before.
• There are
international concerns
about the utilization of
Recombinant DNA
technology e.g. for
development of super
human races,
development of
bioweapons , since
there is the slippery
slope argument which
says that ( what can be
done with animals may
someday be done with
humans)
Minimize bio-hazard
• Only qualified and trained personal is allowed to do
genetic engineering works.
• In case of accidental release of genetically modified
organisms in high amounts, alert colleagues and close
the area if necessary and call the biological safety.
• if there is Spillage, it has to be absorbed immediately.
• Inactivate contaminated items and surfaces using
disinfectants (Ethanol 70%).
• Take care of self-protection measures when removing
contaminated material (lab coat, gloves, glasses etc.).
• Disinfect contaminated skin areas immediately
• The genetic engineering laboratory should be isolated and
separate from the rest of the labs and their activities in
order to avoid biological and physical containment.
