Submitted by: Ms. Jeniffer O.

Garcia RN

I. What is GMO?

A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically

engineered organism (GEO) 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.

II. Production

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. However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the
ability of Agrobacterium to transfer genetic material to plants, or the ability of lentiviruses to
transfer genes to animal cells.

III. History

1973- Discovery of DNA and the first recombinant bacteria an existing bacterium E. coli
expressing an exogenic Salmonella gene.

1978- Creation of an E. coli strain producing the human protein insulin

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.

IV. Development

The first commercially grown genetically modified whole food crop was a tomato

(called FlavrSavr), which was modified to ripen without softening, by Calgene, later a subsidiary
of Monsanto. Calgene took the initiative to obtain FDA approval for its release in 1994 without
any special labeling, although legally no such approval was required. A variant of the Flavr Savr
was used by Zeneca to produce tomato paste which was sold in Europe during the summer of
1996. The labeling and pricing were designed as a marketing experiment, which proved, at the
time, that European consumers would accept genetically engineered foods.

V. Uses

 biological and medical research

 production of pharmaceutical drugs
 agriculture

VI. Kinds of GMO

Transgenic animals
Rat
Some chimeras, like the blotched mouse shown, are created through genetic modification
techniques like gene targeting.Transgenic animals are used as experimental models to perform
phenotypic and for testing in biomedical research. Other applications include the production of
human hormones such as insulin.
Fruit flies

In biological research, transgenic fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are model organisms used
to study the effects of genetic changes on development. Fruit flies are often preferred over other
animals due to their short life cycle, low maintenance requirements, and relatively simple
genome compared to many vertebrates.

Mammals

Genetically modified mammals are an important category of genetically modified organisms.

Transgenic mice are often used to study cellular and tissue-specific responses to disease.

In 1999, scientists at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada created the genetically
engineered Enviropig™. The Enviropig excretes from 30 to 70.7% less phosphorus in manure
depending upon the age and diet. In February 2010, Environment Canada determined that
Enviropigs are in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and can be
produced outside of the research context in controlled facilities where they are segregated from
other animals.

In 2009, scientists in Japan announced that they had successfully transferred a gene into a
primate species (marmosets) and produced a stable line of breeding transgenic primates for the
first time.

Cnidarians

Cnidarians such as Hydra and the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis have become attractive
model organisms to study the evolution of immunity and certain developmental processes.

Fish

Genetically modified fish have promoters driving an over-production of "all fish" growth
hormone. This resulted in dramatic growth enhancement in several species, including salmonids,
carps and tilapias.

Transgenic Plants
Percent Percent
Properties of the genetically modified
Food Modification Modified in Modified
variety
US in world
Soybeans Resistant Herbicide resistant 89%
to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides gene taken from
bacteria inserted
 into soybean
Resistant
to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides.
Insect resistance via producing Bt New genes, some
proteins, some previously used as from the
pesticides in organic crop production. bacterium Bacillus
Corn, field 60%
Vitamin-enriched corn derived from thuringiensis,
South African white corn variety added/transferred
M37W has bright orange kernels, with into plant genome.
169x increase in beta carotene, 6x the
vitamin C and 2x folate.[9]
Bt crystal protein
Cotton
gene
(cottonseed Pest-resistant cotton 83% 62%
added/transferred
oil)
into plant genome
Planted in
the US from
2005-2007;
New genes
Resistant no longer
Alfalfa added/transferred
to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides planted
into plant genome.
currently
due to court
decisions
New gene
Hawaiian Variety is resistant to the papaya
added/transferred +50%
papaya ringspot virus.[10]
into plant genome
A reverse copy
(an antisensegene) Taken off
Variety in which the production of the
of the gene the market
enzymepolygalacturonase (PG) is
Tomatoes responsible for the due to None
suppressed, retarding fruit softening
production of PG commercial
after harvesting.[11]
enzyme added into failure.
plant genome
The gene for Amflora will
granule bound be produced
starch synthase solely under
(GBSS) (the key contract
Amflora variety produces waxy potato enzyme for the farming
Potatoes starch composed almost exclusively of synthesis conditions
the amylopectin component ofstarch.[12] of amylose) was and not
switched off by made
inserting antisense available on
copy of the GBSS the general
gene. market.
 New genes
Rapeseed Resistance to herbicides (glyphosate or
added/transferred 75%
(Canola) glufosinate), high laurate canola[13]
into plant genome
New genes
Resistance to certain pesticides, high
Sugar cane added/transferred
sucrose content.
into plant genome
New genes
Resistance to glyphosate, glufosinate
Sugar beet added/transferred
herbicides
into plant genome
"Golden rice"
Three new genes
Genetically modified to contain high implanted: two
Rice
amounts of Vitamin A (beta-carotene) from daffodilsand
the third from
a bacterium

VII. What are some of the advantages of GM foods?

 Pest resistance
Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in devastating financial loss for
farmers and starvation in developing countries. Farmers typically use many tons of chemical
pesticides annually. Growing GM foods such as B.t. corn can help eliminate the application of
chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market

 Herbicide tolerance
For some crops, it is not cost-effective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling, so
farmers will often spray large quantities of different herbicides (weed-killer) to destroy weeds, a
time-consuming and expensive process, that requires care so that the herbicide doesn't harm the
crop plant or the environment.

 Disease resistance 
There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant diseases. Plant biologists are working
to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases

 Cold tolerance Unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings. An antifreeze gene from
cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato. With this antifreeze
gene, these plants are able to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified
seedlings

 Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance

As the world population grows and more land is utilized for housing instead of food production,
farmers will need to grow crops in locations previously unsuited for plant cultivation. Creating
plants that can withstand long periods of drought or high salt content in soil and groundwater
will help people to grow crops in formerly inhospitable places

 Nutrition
Malnutrition is common in third world countries where impoverished peoples rely on a single
crop such as rice for the main staple of their diet. However, rice does not contain adequate
amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically engineered
to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated.

 Pharmaceuticals
Medicines and vaccines often are costly to produce and sometimes require special storage
conditions not readily available in third world countries. Researchers are working to develop
edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes16, 17. These vaccines will be much easier to ship, store
and administer than traditional injectable vaccines.
 Phytoremediation

Not all GM plants are grown as crops. Soil and groundwater pollution continues to be a problem
in all parts of the world. Plants such as poplar trees have been genetically engineered to clean up
heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil

VIII. Disadvantages of GMO

Deaths and Near-Deaths

1.  Recorded Deaths from GM: In 1989, dozens of Americans died and several thousands were
afflicted and impaired by a genetically modified version of the food supplement L-tryptophan
creating a debilitating ailment known as  Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) . Released
without safety tests, there were 37 deaths reported and approximately 1500 more were disabled.  

2.  Near-deaths and Food Allergy Reactions: In 1996, Brazil nut genes were spliced into
soybeans to provide the added protein methionine and by a company called Pioneer Hi-Bred.
Some individuals, however, are so allergic to this nut, they can go into anaphylactic shock
(similar to a severe bee sting reaction) which can cause death. Using genetic engineering,
the allergens from one food can thus be transferred to another, thought to be safe to eat, and
unknowingly. dified foods:

CORN- Two research studies independently show evidence of allergenic reactions to GM Bt

corn, 
          -  Farm workers exposed to genetically-modified Bt sprays exhibited extensive allergic
reactions.

POTATOES - A study showed genetically-modified potatoes expressing cod genes were

allergenic. 

PEAS - A decade-long study of GM peas was abandoned when it was discovered that they

caused allergic lung damage in mice. 
SOY - In March 1999, researchers at the York Laboratory discovered that reactions to soy had
skyrocketed by 50% over the year before, which corresponded with the introduction of
genetically-modified soy from the US. It was the first time in 17 years that soy was tested in the
lab among the top ten allergenic foods. 

Cancer and Degenerative Diseases

3.  Direct Cancer and Degenerative Disease Links: GH is a protein hormone which, when
injected into cows stimulates the pituitary gland in a way that the produces more milk, thus
making milk production more profitable for the large dairy corporations.  In 1993, FDA
approved Monsanto's genetically-modified rBGH, a genetically-altered growth hormone that
could be then injected into dairy cows to enhance this feature, and even though scientists
warned that this resulted in an increase of IGF-1 (from (70%-1000%).  IGF-1 is a very potent
chemical hormone that has been linked to a 2 1/2 to 4 times higher risk of human colorectal and
breast cancer. Prostate cancer risk is considered equally serious - in the 2,8.to 4 times range

4.  Superviruses: Viruses can mix with genes of other viruses and retroviruses such as HIV. This
can give rise to more deadly viruses - and at rates higher than previously thought. One study
showed that gene mixing occurred in viruses in just 8 weeks (Kleiner, 1997). This kind of
scenario applies to the cauliflower mosaic virus CaMV, the most common virus used in genetic
engineering - in Round Up ready soy of Monsanto, Bt-maise of Novaris, and GM cotton and
canola.

5.  Antibiotic Threat Via Milk: Cows injected with rBGH have a much higher level of udder
infections.  The Center for Food Safety claims a 25% increase in the frequency of udder
infections in cows that are given this growth hormone.  Since this hormone causes infections,
farmers will use more antibiotics that may eventually end up in the dairy products we consume. 

6.  Antibiotic Threat Via Plants: Much of the techniques of genetic implantation are ineffective
so scientists must use a marker to track where the gene goes into the plant cell. GM maize plants
use an ampicillin resistant gene. In 1998, the British Royal Society called for the banning of this
marker as it threatens a vital antibiotic's use. 

7.  Resurgence of Infectious Diseases: The Microbial Ecology in Health and

Disease journal reported in 1998 that gene technology may be implicated in the resurgence of
infectious diseases. This occurs in multiple ways. There is growing resistance to antibiotics
misused in bioengineering, the formation of new and unknown viral strains, and the lowering of
immunity through diets of processed and altered foods. There is also the horizontal transfer of
transgenic DNA among bacteria. Several studies

8.  Birth Defects and Shorter Life Spans: As we ingest transgenic human/animal products
there is no real telling of the impact on human evolution. We know that rBGh in cows causes a
rapid increase in birth defects and shorter life spans and thenumber of calves born with birth
defects to dairy cows has increased significantly. A Circle of Responsibility article says that
while no thorough study of long term
9.  Interior Toxins: "Pesticidal foods" have genes that produce a toxic pesticide inside the food's
cells.

10.  Lowered Nutrition: A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food (Dr. Marc Lappé,1999)
showed that certain GM foods have lower levels of vital nutrients - especially phytoestrogen
compounds thought to protect the body from heart disease and cancer. In another study of
GM Vicia Faba, a bean in the same family as soy, there was also an increase in estrogen levels,
what raises health issues - especially in infant soy formulas. Milk from cows with rBGH contains
substantially higher levels of pus, bacteria, and fat.Monsanto's analysis of glyphosate-resistant
soya showed the GM-line contained 28% more Kunitz-trypsin inhibitor, a known anti-nutrient
and allergen.

11. No Regulated Health Safety Testing

12.  Unnatural Foods: 

13.  Radical Change in Diet: Humanity has evolved for thousands of years by adapting
gradually to its natural environment - including nature's foods. Within just three years a
fundamental transformation of the human diet has occurred.. 

ENVIRONMENT

" General Soil Impact

14.  Toxicity to Soil: The industry marketing pitch to the public is that bioengineered seeds and
plants will help the environment by reducing toxic herbicide/pesticide use. Isolated examples are
given, but the overall reality is exactly opposite. The majority of GM agricultural products are
developed specifically for toxin-resistance - namely for higher dosesof herbicides/ pesticides
sold by the largest producer companies - Monsanto, Dupont Novaris, Dow, Bayer, Ciba-Geigy,
Hoescht, AgroEvo, and Rhone-Poulenc. Also the majority of research for future products
involves transgenic strains for increased chemical resistance

15.  Soil Sterility and Pollution: In Oregon, scientists found GM bacterium(klebsiella

planticola) meant to break down wood chips, corn stalks and lumber wastes to produce ethanol -
with the post-process waste to be used as compost - rendered the soil sterile. It killed essential
soil nutrients, robbing the soil of nitrogen and killed nitrogen capturing fungi.

16.  Extinction of Seed Varieties: A few years ago Time magazine referred to the massive trend
by large corporations to buy up small seed companies, destroying any competing stock, and
replacing it with their patented or controlled brands as "the Death of Birth." Monsanto
additionally has had farmers sign contracts not to save their seeds - forfeiting what has long been
a farmer's birthright to remain guardians of the blueprints of successive life. Golden Harvest
Organics explains in an article that "the failure of commercial plant breeding has left global
agriculture badly prepared for the challenges of the near future, such as climate change and the
need to wean ourselves off dependence on fossil fuels. It is now time to start rolling back the
monopoly privileges of the seed industry, not to strengthen them further."
Plants

 17.  Superweeds: It has been shown that genetically modified Bt endotoxin remains in the soil
at least 18 months (according to Marc  Lappé and Britt Bailey) and can be transported to wild
plants creating superweeds - resistant to butterfly, moth, and beetle pests - potentially disturbing
the balance of nature.

18.  Plant Invasions: We can anticipate classic bio-invasions as a result of new GM strains, just
as with the invasions of the kudzu vine or purple loosestrife in the plant world.

Trees

19.  Destruction of Forest Life: GM trees or "supertrees" are being developed which can be
sprayed from the air to kill literally all of surrounding life, except 

Insects and Larger Animals

20.  Superpests: Lab tests indicate that common plant pests such as cottonboll worms, will
evolve into superpests immune from the Bt sprays used by organic farmers. The recent "stink
bug" epidemic in North Carolina and Georgia seems linked to bioengineered plants that the bugs
love. Monsanto, on their Farmsource website, recommended spraying them with methyl
parathion, one of the deadliest chemicals. So much for the notion of Bt cotton getting US farmers
off the toxic treadmill. Pests the transgenic cotton was meant to kill - cotton bollworms, pink
bollworms, and budworms - were once "secondary pests." Toxic chemicals killed off their
predators, unbalanced nature, and thus made them "major pests."

21.  Animal Bio-invasions: Fish and marine life are threatened by accidental release of GM
fish currently under development in several countries - trout, carp, and salmon several times the
normal size and growing up to 6x times as fast. One such accident has already occurred in the
Philippines - threatening local fish supplies.

22.  Killing Beneficial Insects: Studies have shown that GM products can kill beneficial insects
- most notably the monarch butterfly larvae (Cornell, 1999). 

23.  Poisonous to Mammals: In a study with GM potatoes, spliced with DNA from the
snowdrop plant and a viral promoter (CaMV), the resulting plant was poisonous to mammals
(rats) - damaging vital organs, the stomach lining and immune system. CaMV is a pararetrovirus.
It can reactivate dormant viruses or create new viruses - as some presume have occurred with the
AIDES epidemic.

24.  Animal Abuse: Pig number 6706 was supposed to be a "superpig." It was implanted with a
gene to become a technological wonder. But it eventually became a "supercripple" full of
arthritis, cross-eyed, and could barely stand up with its mutated body.

25.  Support of Animal Factory Farming: Rather than using the best of scientific minds to
end animal factory farming - rapid efforts are underway to develop gene-modified animals that
better thrive in disease-promoting conditions of animal factory farms.
Genetic Uncertainties  

26.  Genetic Pollution: Carrying GM pollen by wind, rain, birds, bees, insects, fungus, bacteria -
the entire chain of life becomes involved. Once released, unlike chemical pollution, there is no
cleanup or recall possible.

27.  Disturbance of Nature's Boundaries: Genetic engineers argue that their creations are no
different than crossbreeding. However, natural boundaries are violated - crossing animals with
plants, strawberries with fish, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes with bacteria, viruses, and fungi;
or like human genes with swine.

IMPACT ON FARMING

"The decline in the number of farms is likely to accelerate in the coming years...gene-splicing
technologies... change the way plants and animals are produced."

Small Farm Livelihood and Survival

28.  Decline and Destruction of Self-Sufficient Family Farms: In 1850, 60% of the working
population in the US was engaged in agriculture. By the year 1950 it was 4%. Today it is 2%
(CIA World Factbook 1999 - USA).

Organic Farming

29.  Losing Purity: At the present rate of proliferation of GM foods, within 50-100 years, the
majority of organic foods may no longer be organic.

30.  Mixing: A Texas organic corn chip maker, Terra Prima, suffered a substantial economic
loss when their corn chips were contaminated with GM corn and had to be destroyed.  

31.  Losing Natural Pesticides: Organic farmers have long used "Bt" (a naturally occurring
pesticidal bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis) as an invaluable farming aide. It is administered at
only certain times, and then sparingly, in a diluted form. This harms only the target insects that
bite the plant. Also in that diluted form, it quickly degrades in the soil.

Control and Dependency

32.  Terminator Technology: Plants are being genetically produced with no annual replenishing
of perennial seeds so farmers will become wholly dependent on the seed provider. In the past
Monsanto had farmers sign agreements that they would not collect seeds, and even sent out field
detectives to check on farmers.

33.  Traitor Technology: Traitor technologies control the stages or life cycles of plants - when a
plant will leaf, flower, and bear fruit. This forces the farmer to use certain triggering chemicals if
he is to yield a harvest - again causing much deeper levels of economic dependence. These
technologies are being developed and patented at a furious pace.
34.  Monopolization of Food Production: The rapid and radical change in the human diet was
made possible by quick mergers and acquisitions that moved to control segments of the US
farming industry. Although there are approximately 1500 seed companies worldwide, about two
dozen control more than 50% of the commercial seed heritage of our planet.

35.  Impact on Long -Term Food Supply: If food production is monopolized,the future of that
supply becomes dependent on the decisions of a few companies and the viability of their seed
stocks. Like the example of Peru, there are only a few remaining pockets of diverse seed stocks
to insure the long-term resilience of the world's staple foods. All of them are in the Third World.

ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL THREATS

36.  Biocolonization - In past centuries, countries managed to overrun others by means of fierce
or technologically superior armies. The combined control of genetic and agricultural resources
holds a yet more powerful weapon for the invasion of cultures. For only when a person loses
food self-sufficiency do they become wholly dependent and subservient. That is why 500,000
farmers in India staged a protest on October 2, 1993 against GATT trade regulations and now
oppose GM seed products.  

37.  Health/Environmental/Socio-Political Reasons: The lack of labeling of genetically

modified food violates and harms your right to know what is in our foods - given the list of
health, environmental, and socio-political reasons to avoid GM ingredients. Even if GM foods
were 100% safe, the consumer has a right to know such ingredients - due to their many potential
harms.

38.  For Religious Dietary Reasons: Previously if someone wanted to avoid foods not permitted
by certain religions, the process was simple. With transgenic alterations, every food is suspect -
and the religious and health-conscious consumer has no way of knowing without a mandated
label. The lack of labeling makes it impossible for religious people to observe dietary customs.

DEEP ECOLOGY

 "All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the Earth
befalls the sons [and daughters] of the Earth."

39.  Imposing a Non-Living Model onto Nature: "The crying of animals is nothing more than
just the creaking of machines," wrote the philosopher René Descartes in the 17th century. This
powerfully expressed an inhumane and mechanical view of nature that does not respect life. The
genetic model is derivative of this mechanistic way of relating to nature.

40.  Atomic Weapons vs. Gene Mutated Foods: The image of modern progress brought about
solely by perfected mechanisms or technology was punctured in the 1940's with the explosion of
atomic weapons - which brought humanity to the brink of global annihilation.

IX. Ethical Issues on GMO

o Violation of natural organisms' intrinsic values
o Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species
o Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa
o Stress for animal