Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Programming animals to produce novel products (e.g., biopharmaceuticals) in milk, eggs, or blood
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:Animal pharming (biopharming) is a biotechnological approach where animals are engineered to express valuable therapeutic proteins or industrial enzymes, often secreted in accessible fluids such as milk or egg white.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:Transgenes encoding human proteins (for example, antithrombin, clotting factors) are integrated into animal genomes to achieve high-yield, scalable bioproduction using existing husbandry and downstream purification methods.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify that pharming implies pharmaceuticals or novel proteins.Recognize the role of transgenes and tissue-specific expression to harvest products efficiently.Select the definition that captures “programming animals to produce novel products.”Verification / Alternative check:Case studies include transgenic goats producing antithrombin in milk and hens producing therapeutic proteins in eggs.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:Confusing general transgenic traits (growth, disease resistance) with specific biomanufacturing goals of pharming.
Final Answer:Programming animals to produce novel products (e.g., biopharmaceuticals) in milk, eggs, or blood
Discussion & Comments