WHAT IS GENETICALLY

MODIFIED ORGANISM?

PREPARED BY: GERALDINE D. REYES

BSED I-C

WHAT IS GENETICALLY

MODIFIED ORGANISM?

GMO?

When we say Genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) it is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species.

refer to living organisms, at all levels, where portions of the DNA from one organism is generally introduced into and made part of the DNA of another organism. An example of GMO organisms are plants that have been made to confer resistance to a specific organism (bugs or viruses) or chemical (pesticides).

EXAMPLE OF GMO

Production Further information: Genetic Engineering,

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Transformation (genetics) Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion

of genes. When genes are inserted, they usually come from a different species, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. In nature this can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason. To do this artificially may require attaching the genes to a virus or just physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene gun.[1] However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of Agrobacterium to transfer genetic material to plants,[2] or the ability of lentiviruses to transfer genes to animal cells.[3]

History (March 2010) The general principle of producing a GMO is to add

new genetic material into an organism's genome. This is called genetic engineering and was made possible through the discovery of DNA and the creation of the first recombinant bacteria in 1973; an existing bacterium E. coli expressing an exogenic Salmonella gene.[4] This led to concerns in the scientific community about potential risks from genetic engineering, which were thoroughly discussed at the Asilomar Conference. One of the main recommendations from this meeting was that government oversight of recombinant DNA research should be established until the technology was deemed safe.[5][6] Herbert Boyer then founded the first company to use recombinant DNA technology, Genentech, and in 1978 the company announced creation of an E. coli strain producing the human protein insulin.[7]

In 1986, field tests of bacteria genetically engineered to protect plants from frost damage (ice-minus bacteria) at a small biotechnology company called Advanced Genetic Sciences of Oakland, California, were repeatedly delayed by opponents of biotechnology. In the same year, a proposed field test of a microbe genetically engineered for a pest resistance protein by Monsanto Company was dropped.

4 EXAMPLES OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED

CROPSPesticide resistant rape plants

Scientists have transferred a gene to the rape plant which enables the plant to resist a certain pesticide. When the farmer sprays his genetically modified rape crop with pesticides, he or she can destroy most of the pests without killing the rape plants.

Advantages:

The farmer can grow a larger crop because it is easier to fight pests.

In some cases the farmer can use a more environmentally friendly crop spray.

The farmer can also protect the environment by using less crop spray.

Disadvantages: Genes from the genetically modified rape crop

could be transferred to the pests. The pests then become resistant to the crop spray and the crop spraying becomes useless.

Rape plants can pollinate weeds - for example navew which is found in rape fields. When rape plants pollinate the navew their genes are transferred. The navew then acquires pesticide resistance.

Corn, soya beans and sugar cane have also been genetically modified by scientists so they are able to tolerate crop spray.

Insecticide sweet cornScientists have genetically modified sweet corn so that it produces a poison which kills harmful insects. This means the farmer no longer needs to fight insects with insecticides. The genetically modified corn is called Bt-corn, because the insect-killing gene in the plant comes from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis.

Advantages:

The farmer no longer has to use insecticide to kill insects, so the surrounding environment is no longer exposed to large amounts of harmful insecticide.

The farmer no longer needs to walk around with a drum of toxic spray wearing a mask and protective clothing.

Disadvantages: This type of genetically modified corn will poison the

insects over a longer period than the farmer who would spray the crops once or twice. In this way the insects can become accustomed (or resistant) to the poison. If that happens both crop spraying and the use of genetically modified Bt-corn become ineffective.

A variety of insects are at risk of being killed. It might be predatory insects that eat the harmful ones or, perhaps attractive insects such as butterflies. In the USA, where Bt-corn is used a great deal there is much debate over the harmful effects of Bt-corn on the beautiful Monarch butterfly.

Cotton and potatoes are other examples of plants that scientists have , genetically modified to produce insecticide.

Golden riceGolden rice is genetically modified rice that now contains a large amount of A-vitamins. Or more correctly, the rice contains the element beta-carotene which is converted in the body into Vitamin-A. So when you eat golden rice, you get more vitamin A.

Beta-carotene gives carrots their orange colour and is the reason why genetically modified rice is golden. For the golden rice to make beta-carotene three new genes are implanted: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium.

Advantages:

The rice can be considered a particular advantage to poor people in underdeveloped countries. They eat only an extremely limited diet lacking in the essential bodily vitamins. The consequences of this restricted diet causes many people to die or become blind. This is particularly true in areas of Asia, where most of the population live on rice from morning to evening.

Disadvantages: Critics fear that poor people in underdeveloped countries are

becoming too dependent on the rich western world. Usually, it is the large private companies in the West that have the means to develop genetically modified plants. By making the plants sterile these large companies can prevent farmers from growing plant-seed for the following year - forcing them to buy new rice from the companies.

Some opposes of genetic modification see the "golden rice" as a method of making genetic engineering more widely accepted. Opponents fear that companies will go on to develop other genetically modified plants from which they can make a profit. A situation could develop where the large companies own the rights to all the good crops.

Long-lasting tomatoesLong-lasting, genetically modified tomatoes came on to the market in 1994 and were the first genetically modified food available to consumers. The genetically modified tomato produces less of the substance that causes tomatoes to rot, so remains firm and fresh for a long time.

Advantages: Because the GM tomatoes can remain fresh longer they

can be allowed to ripen in the sun before picking - resulting in a better tasting tomato.

GM tomatoes can tolerate a lengthier transport time. This means that market gardens can avoid picking tomatoes while they are green in order that they will tolerate the transport.

The producers also have the advantage that all the tomatoes can be harvested simultaneously.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF

GMO?

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the human manipulation of an organism's genetic material in a way that does not occur under natural conditions. It involves the use of recombinant DNA techniques, but does not include traditional animal and plant breeding or mutagenesis. Any organism that is generated using these techniques is considered to be a genetically modified organism. The first organisms genetically engineered were bacteria in 1973 and then mice in 1974. Insulin producing bacteria were commercialized in 1982 and genetically modified food has been sold since 1994.

Producing genetically modified organisms is a multi-step process. It first involves the isolating and copying the genetic material of interest. A construct is built containing all the genetic elements for correct expression. This construct is then inserted into the host organism, either by using a vector or directly through injection, in a process called transformation. Successfully transformed organisms are then grown and the presence of the new genetic material is tested for.

Genetic engineering techniques have been applied to various industries, with some success. Medicines such as insulin and human growth hormone are now produced in bacteria, experimental mice such as the oncomouse and the knockout mouse are being used for research purposes and insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant crops have been commercialized. Plants that contain drugs and vaccines, animals with beneficial proteins in their milk and stress tolerant crops are currently being developed.

EXAMPLE OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

But, is it GMO harmful or helpful?

ADVANTAGES OF GMOS More informed customers, because they need to make more informed

decisions in regard to nutrition, agriculture and science. Less pesticide is needed to be used due to insect pest resistant plants. More economically friendly as pesticides do not go into the air, soil,

and water (especially freshwater supplies). Their production hazards to the environment also decreases.

Decrease in costs of growing and farming, due to the reduced use of pesticides.

Higher crop yields. Farmers have more income, which they could spend on such things as,

for example, the education of their children. Less deforestation needed to feed the worlds growing population (UN

projections say that the world population will reach 8.15 billion compared to 6.18 billion in year 2000). This decreases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which in turn slows global warming

Decrease in food prices due to lower costs and higher yield. As people in poor countries spend over half of their income on food alone, lower food prices mean an automatic reduction of poverty

Less starvation in the world due to decreased food prices. More nutritious. This has been proven and tested many times.

Rigorous testing of ALL GMO crops and products. This makes GMOs much safer than organic (the traditional) crops.

ALL GMOs that are sold in the market, due to the strict tests. If the slightest chance of health hazard, a GMO is NOT allowed to enter the markets.

Strict and very complex standards that GMOs have to fully meet. More thoroughly understood crops due to the rigorous testing. Scientific development of agriculture, health and related sciences due

to the better understanding of the products. For example, the development of new medicines.

Creation of “super foods” due to better knowledge. Super foods are types of food that are cheap to produce, grow fast in large quantities, highly nutritious.

New products. For examples, scientist identified the gene responsible for caffeine in coffee beans; by excluding this gene, decaffeinated coffee beans can be grown naturally.

Reduction of sicknesses and illnesses, as GMO crops are more nutritious. Vitamins and minerals can be provided to children and to people, where they were inaccessible before (i.e.: the world’s poorest and/or most secluded areas).

Developments of new kinds of crops that can be grown at extreme climates, for example, dry or freezing environments (like deserts). For example, scientist developed a type of tomato that grows in salty soil.

Reduction of world starvation due to increased production.

As more crops (plants) can be grown and at more places, this decreases global warming through the increase of oxygen in the environment, decreasing the proportion of carbon dioxide. Two British economists note in a study that GM crops have also made significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 10 million tonnes. This is equivalent to removing five million cars from the road every year. In effect this means that people would have to choose between growing GMOs and giving up their vehicles.

Many Nobel Prize winners and prominent scientists support genetically modified crop research and production.

Enhancement of the taste of food. Enhancement of the quality of food. Beside humans, livestock and animals are also beneficiaries to the

higher nutritious value of GMO crops. They have an increased resistance, productivity, and hardiness.

Enhancement of the smell of food. Decrease of maturation time of the plants, so they can be

harvested sooner and moore often during the year. With time, possible customization of food to meet personal

preferences. Enhancement of the size of food.

Growth Hormones in Conventional vs. Organic Foods Higher resistance to diseases. Less processing needed in factories. Less factory additives needed. GMO crops last longer. This decreases the amount of wasted crops and

foods. Reduced energy needs to produce GMO crops.

 

Antibiotics in Conventional vs. Organic Foods Less machinery requirements. Due to reduced costs of production, prices can be further reduced. Production of friendly bioherbicides and bioinsecticides through genetic

engineering. Less labor requirements. Experts estimate more than 1 trillion meals containing ingredients from

biotech crops have been consumed over the last decade with no reliable documentation of any food safety issues for people or animals.

Genetically modified foods and crops are recognized by experts and regulatory authorities worldwide as being as safe as crops and foods.

People who are opposed to GMOs are not the farmers themselves, but people who can afford to buy food.

The needs of some consumers for GMO-free products lead to non-GMO labeling issues.

DISADVANTAGES OF GMOS Harm to other organisms. For example genes and their effect included in

a crop may turn out to be poisonous to insects (monarch butterfly poisoned by GMO corns).

  Cross-pollination with traditional, organic plants. Cross pollination can

occur at quite large distances. New genes may also be included in the offspring of the traditional, organic crops miles away. This makes it difficult to distinguish which crop field is organic, and which is not, posing a problem to the proper labeling of non-GMO food products.

Spread of new, more resistant "super weeds Spread of new, more resistant "super pests". Major trading countries that obtain most of the benefit from the

production and trade of genetically modified crops. This might cause more geopolitical conflicts.

New trade, tariff and quota issues may arise between countries, regions. Critics say GMOs may cause health problems. As the USA is the biggest producer of GMO crops, their exports may

rouse more anti-American feeling, due to “Americanization” worldwide. Possible damages to the environment.

Possible greed of GMO manufacturing firms. Unharmonized test-, and safety standards around the world. GMOs are made because it is possible to make them, not because

consumers feel their need. Possible creation of new kinds of weapons; genetic food and

beverage weapons. Additional costs of labeling whether products are GMOs or not. This

might increase costs of foods. Widening corporate size gaps between food producing giants and

smaller ones. This might cause a consolidation in the market: fewer competitors increase the risk of oligopolies, which might increase food prices.

Larger companies might have more political power. They might be able to influence safety and health standards (example: less stringent regulations, standards and requirements).

Activists’ increased ability to boycott and influence food market, food retailing, and food prices.

Unforeseen risks and dangers due to the complexity of nature. Allergies may become more intense, and also, new allergy types may

develop. Discrepancies in information flow. GMO producers stress the

benefits, but are reluctant to talk about risks and dangers.

CONCLUSION As a college student, I therefore

conclude that GMO (Genetically modified Organism) is very helpful. Its because it can help to solve the shortage of foods . That’s why its produce. But, for me… I'm so against in GMO. Why? In plants and animals, is like a human. Have their own traits came from their parents and no one can disrupt the creation of God and I believe that be contented of what you are so why do we need to do that not because we have the shortage of food but because we need to explore of everything in our surrounding.