1974
◊ The National Institutes of Health forms a Recombinant DNA Advisory Commit
tee to oversee recombinant genetic research.

1975
◊ Government first urged to develop guidelines for regulating experiments in recombinant DNA: Asilomar Conference, California.
◊ The first monoclonal antibodies are produced.

1976
◊ The tools of recombinant DNA are first applied to a human inherited disorder.
◊ Molecular hybridization is used for the prenatal diagnosis of alpha thalassemia.
◊ Yeast genes are expressed in E. coli bacteria.
◊ The sequence of DNA base pairs for a specific gene is determined.
◊ First guidelines for recombinant DNA experiments released: National Institutes
of Health-Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee.

1977
◊ First expression of human gene in bacteria.
◊ Procedures developed for rapidly sequencing long sections of DNA using elec
trophoresis.

1978
◊ High-level structure of virus first identified.
◊ Recombinant human insulin first produced.
◊ North Carolina scientists show it is possible to introduce specific mutations at
specific sites in a DNA molecule.

1979
◊ Human growth hormone first synthesized.
◊ Also in the 1970s
◊ First commercial company founded to develop genetically engineered
products.
◊ Discovery of polymerases.
◊ Techniques for rapid sequencing of nucleotides perfected.
◊ Gene targeting.
◊ RNA splicing.

1980
◊ The U.S. Supreme Court, in the landmark case Diamond v. Chakrabarty,
approves the principle of patenting organisms, which allows the Exxon oil
company to patent an oil-eating microorganism.
◊ The U.S. patent for gene cloning is awarded to Cohen and Boyer.
◊ The first gene-synthesizing machines are developed.
◊ Researchers successfully introduce a human gene—one that codes for the
protein interferon—into a bacterium.
◊ Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded for creation of the first recombinant
molecule: Berg, Gilbert, Sanger.

1981
◊ Scientists at Ohio University produce the first transgenic animals by transfer
ring genes from other animals into mice.
◊ Chinese scientist becomes the first to clone a fish—a golden carp.

1982
◊ Applied Biosystems, Inc., introduces the first commercial gas phase protein
sequencer, dramatically reducing the amount of protein sample needed for
sequencing.
◊ First recombinant DNA vaccine for livestock developed.
◊ First biotech drug approved by FDA: human insulin produced in genetically
modified bacteria.
◊ First genetic transformation of a plant cell: petunia.

1983
◊ The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique is conceived. PCR, which
uses heat and enzymes to make unlimited copies of genes and gene fragments,
later becomes a major tool in biotech research and product development world
wide.
◊ The first genetic transformation of plant cells by TI plasmids is performed.
◊ The first artificial chromosome is synthesized.
◊ The first genetic markers for specific inherited diseases are found.
◊ First whole plant grown from biotechnology: petunia.
◊ First proof that modified plants pass their new traits to offspring: petunia.

1984
◊ The DNA fingerprinting technique is developed.
◊ The entire genome of the human immunodeficiency virus is cloned and
sequenced.

1985
◊ Genetic markers found for kidney disease and cystic fibrosis.
◊ Genetic fingerprinting entered as evidence in a courtroom.
◊ Transgenic plants resistant to insects, viruses and bacteria are field-tested for
the first time.
◊ The NIH approves guidelines for performing gene-therapy experiments in
humans.