Võõrgeen

Võõrgeen is an Estonian term that translates to "foreign gene" or "transgene" in English. It refers to a gene that has been artificially introduced into the genome of an organism from a different species or a modified version of a gene from the same species. This process is a fundamental technique in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

The primary purpose of introducing a võõrgeen is to confer new traits or modify existing ones in the recipient organism. For example, plants can be engineered to be resistant to pests, herbicides, or environmental stresses, or to produce specific nutrients. In medicine, võõrgeenid are used in the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for research purposes, to produce therapeutic proteins, or in gene therapy to treat genetic disorders.

The creation and use of organisms containing võõrgeenid are subject to extensive research, regulation, and public discussion. Ethical considerations, potential environmental impacts, and food safety are all aspects that are carefully evaluated. Estonia, like many other countries, has established guidelines and regulatory frameworks to govern the use of genetically modified organisms and the introduction of võõrgeenid. Research in this field continues to explore new applications and refine existing techniques, aiming to harness the potential benefits of genetic modification while addressing associated concerns.