Is this safe?
2007-10-08 17:57:31 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
I am more comfortable with splitting atoms than DNA. Do they know what they are doing when they put in these snips of DNA or is it a hit and miss thing? Do they really have that much control of the process? When I first read this I had visions of a mouse the size of a rhinoceros or the mouse that ate Wisconsin (you know cheese heads). It is sure food for B horror movies.
2007-10-09 03:14:18 · update #1
yes they are and yes it is. well for us anyway..its not very safe for the mouse..gene knockout often leaves them with debilitating diseases and conditions. but i guess thats the point....
2007-10-08 21:29:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "knockout" mice are mice that have sections of their DNA "knocked out". This allows researchers to see what happens to specific biochemistry to allow them to figure out what is happening and how it is happening. By doing this, enormous advances in the understanding and treatment of complex genetic diseases (like cancers) can and have been achieved. It would be a lot less safe if they didn't. These mice are usually not as strong as "normal" mice, so they do not turn into "super mice", if that is what concerns you. The scientists who did this first deserve the Nobel Prize for this, and it has been going on for years - you are only learning about it now apparently.
2007-10-09 01:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋