Proteins are large molecules comprising many molecules, including amino acids. They are abundant in nature, and can be found in every living cell. According to the Recombinant Antibody website, the characteristics of all organisms are determined by the functions and activities of various proteins. DNA provides the instructions for cells to make various types of proteins; recombinant proteins are those that have been produced from DNA that has been artificially altered, known as recombinant DNA.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA is the material of heredity inside of all cells; it contains the genes that tell the cell what types of proteins to produce. DNA is comprised of chemical bases called nucleotides that are strung together in long strands, the order of the nucleotides in the sequence determining the different types of genes. According to the National Institutes of Health's Genetics Home Reference, an important property of DNA is that it can replicate itself, as it does when cells divide. In this way, genes are passed on from one cell to another.
Recombinant DNA Technology
Recombinant DNA technology is the processes by which genes from one species are artificially introduced into another, thereby creating a genetically modified organism, or GMO. GMOs will produce the proteins coded for newly introduced genes, known as recombinant proteins. According to the Human Genome Project, GMOs are usually created in order to introduce some sort of advantage to the organism being altered.
Uses
GMOs have a variety of uses in the fields of agriculture and medicine. For example, recombinant proteins conferring resistance to drought, disease and insects have been introduced into a variety of crops, allowing for greater yields. The Human Genome Project states that health care companies have now successfully inserted genes into eggs and bacterial cells that allow them to produce vaccines and medications such as insulin, all comprised of recombinant proteins.
Risks
While recombinant proteins have many benefits, there are risks to consider. Inserting novel genes into food animals and crops may introduce new allergens into the food chain, according to the Human Genome Project. Likewise, producing medications in bacteria or eggs may cause allergic reactions in some people. In the case of food crops, cross-pollination will almost certainly occur between fields containing plants that have been genetically modified and those that have not, as birds, bees and wind do not respect property lines. This can result in the introduction of new genes, hence recombinant proteins, into nearby crops while the farmers are unaware.
Ethics
Ethical issues arise with new technology, and recombinant proteins are no exception. Access to recombinant DNA technology is largely limited to the world's wealthier nations, leaving those in developing nations unable to compete in some markets. Many people raise concerns about tinkering with living organisms, thereby interfering with the natural order of things.
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