Transgenic technology in marine organisms

Abstract

Marine organisms into which a foreign gene or non-coding deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment is artificially introduced and stably integrated in their genomes are termed transgenic marine organisms. Since the first report in 1985, a wide range of transgenic fish and marine bivalve mollusks have been produced by mi-croinjecting or electroporating homologous or heterologous transgenes into newly fertilized or unfertilized eggs and sperm. In the past few years, rapid advances of gene transfer technology has resulted in the production of many genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as fish, crustaceans, microalgae, macroalgae, and sea urchins. These GMOs are valuable in assisting the advances of basic research as well as biotechnological application. In this chapter, the principle of producing transgenic marine organisms and the application of the technology to produce genetically modified marine organisms in the hope of improving the quality of human life as well as the earth environments will be critically reviewed.