STS BSA 1-1 Morallos, Jherjhon C.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela
Maysan Road Corner Tongco Street Maysan, Valenzuela City
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Learning Assessment
Topic: Biodiversity and Genetically Modified Organism
Instructions. Watch the video: “Are GMO’s Good or Bad? Genetic Engineering and our
Food
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TmcXYp8xu4
Name: Jherjhon C. Morallos
Section: BSA 1-1
Answer the following questions:
1. What are genetically modified organisms? Cite some advantages of it.
In today's landscape, we can't deny the rapid growth of technological

developments which is evident in every part of the world just like genetically
modified organisms (GMO's) which plants or animals have been genetically
engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. Also,
the genetic material of that specie has been altered in the way that it cannot
occur in nature or traditional crossbreeding. In its broadest sense, genetic
engineering includes uncontroversial techniques, like selective breeding and
changing the genetic structure of a specie. In its narrower sense, genetic
engineering refers to gene splicing-inserting DNA fragments from one
organism’s genes into the chromosomes of another, thereby changing its
genetic makeup is highly possible. These are some of the advantages of
GMO's:
1. It resides the health benefits of farmers and rural laborers by less

exposure to pesticides which are harmful and dangerous to our health and
for us, as a consumer, it is much more healthier due to lower pesticide
residues.
2. It improves the quantity and quality of agricultural production for the

benefit of consumers and producers.
3. It will make the crops herbicide-resistant rather than to make them

disease-resistant.
4. It can produce functional food or nutraceuticals with added traits that could
make them beneficial for the people who suffered from malnutrition.
5. It can increase the yield of breeding while reducing the use of pesticides
and improving plant to unfavorable environments like droughts, typhoons,
erosions, climate change, etc.
2. What are the main issues of concern for human health?
In addressing major issues of GMO's concerning to human health we

should unbiasedly look on its pros and cons. GMO's were used in scientific
and medical research where they discover a genetically modified virus that
has been reported having success in targeting and destroying cancer cells
while leaving healthy cells undamaged. The Cancer Research UK scientists
have examined the effect of the genetically modified virus on pancreatic, lung,
ovarian, liver, and colorectal cancers in vitro as well as in tumor-bearing mice;
the modified virus replicated vigorously within the cancer cells and spread
through the tumor tissue, causing the cells to die. It may also be able to serve
as a barrier by secreting proteins protecting women against HIV infection.
Bearing in mind all the possible benefits of GMO applications, the risks of the
application of biotechnology in human health should also be discussed. The
following risks have been identified:
1. Allergenicity may be caused directly by the new proteins or by their
interaction with usual proteins, producing a new allergen. Assessing the
allergenic potential of novel foods presents major problems since there are no
reliable tests for predicting allergenicity The possibility of creating new
allergens has been identified as a risk that does not relate directly to the use
of GM technology but depends on the particular gene that has been added to
a GM crop. Allergies can develop when an individual is repeatedly exposed to
a particular protein.
2. The unexpected gene interaction might occur and these unexpected results
are likely linked to either the specific gene added to the GM crop tested or to
the particular side effects of a genetic transformation event, which can
potentially disturb metabolism.
3.The occurrence of antibiotics resistance because of the usage of antibiotics
in the early stage of genetic modification to select for the gene to construct
includes resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance may be transferred
through employing horizontal gene transfer from genetically modified plants to
human gut bacteria due to the transformation of bacteria in the food chain.
According to Kaunas (2008), the horizontal gene transfer an entire and
functional antibiotic resistance gene from ingested GM food to the bacteria in
our guts is a possibility but has never been reported. However, the World
Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations expert panels have concluded that this event cannot be completely
ruled out and should be considered by risk assessors.
3. What are the main issues about the environment?
The main issue in this area relates to the potential risks posed by the
technical manipulation of genetic material since the effect of such
manipulation on animal welfare is still difficult to evaluate. The toxicity of gene
products may have a negative influence on feed composition, which in turn
may cause the negative performance of fed animals. GMO-related
environmental threats also include problems like pesticide plant-and-animal
toxicity, and this use of GM crops will require the provision of special
agronomic facilities that restrict the spread of seed and pollen The most
worse case to happen is the occurrence of ecological imbalance that would
greatly affect our biodiversity.
4. Do you think GMO’s are the best solution for food shortage/ world famine?
In my humble opinion, I don't think that GMO's are the best solution in
preventing world famine and food shortage nevertheless it can serve as an
alternative in mitigating the adverse effect of the aforementioned phenomena.
Yet, we should assess its harmful effects on human health to finally lessen
the widely spread of these disconcerting phenomena. I think the best solution
is to address the underlying causes of the crisis to develop an effective
solution that will put an end into it. Through good governance, the
development of just and inclusive policies that make it easier for people to
access the resources they need to thrive. Also, supporting our farmers and
improving our systems to increase their production while having a just salary.
A few reminder, for as humans, we should be responsible and discipline on
utilizing our resources. We should start the change within ourselves. Just like
what Gandhi said, " You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

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Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela

Maysan Road Corner Tongco Street Maysan, Valenzuela City

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

In today's landscape, we can't deny the rapid growth of technological

1. It resides the health benefits of farmers and rural laborers by less

2. It improves the quantity and quality of agricultural production for the

3. It will make the crops herbicide-resistant rather than to make them

2. What are the main issues of concern for human health?

In addressing major issues of GMO's concerning to human health we

3. What are the main issues about the environment?

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