INITIAL OUTPUT

GROUP MEMBERS:
● Denise Mari Andaloc
● Hezekiah Barsumo
● Hiede Naharine Magangcong
● Princess Sofia Manamparan
● Ruelle Shan Solidum

TOPIC: Genetic Engineering

SUB-TOPIC:
I. Define and describe

Genetic engineering (also called genetic modification) is a process that uses

laboratory-based technologies to alter the DNA makeup of an organism. This
may involve changing a single base pair (A-T or C-G), deleting a region of DNA
or adding a new segment of DNA. For example, genetic engineering may involve
adding a gene from one species to an organism from a different species to
produce a desired trait. Used in research and industry, genetic engineering has
been applied to the production of cancer therapies, brewing yeasts, genetically
modified plants and livestock, and more.

https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetic-Engineering

II. Types of genetic engineering

● Analytical Genetic Engineering

This is the research branch of genetic engineering in which virtual genetic models are
created using computer software. Various computer programs are used to theoretically
study the implications of various genetic engineering activities if they are to be carried
out in practice. For instance, before going ahead and splicing two different genes in
actual practice, preparing an analytical model based upon an appropriate program,
developed for the purpose, will give the researchers an idea whether such splicing
would be successful at all and if successful, if the desired end would be achieved. This
is a better way of carrying out the trial-and-error stage and reduces risks of disaster
during experiments using real organisms, especially animals.
ex:

● Applied Genetic Engineering

Applied genetic engineering, as the name suggests, is that field of genetic engineering
which pertains to practical application of genetic engineering tools to manipulate the
genes of living organisms for making genetic copies of them or to introduce certain
different characteristics in them that are not usual for the subjects. The first instance is
what we typically refer to as cloning and the second instance refers to the premises of
transgenesis. While cloning is a highly regulated and controversial field, it has been
carried out in various subjects of animal and plant species with mixed results and
uncertain success rates. Transgenesis, on the other hand, is a comparatively common
area and most of us have partaken of the results of transgenesis sometime or the other.

ex: hybrid fruits and vegetables

● Chemical Genetic Engineering

Chemical genetic engineering can be called the grass root level of applied genetic
engineering as it deals with separating, classifying and graphing genes to prepare them
for applied genetic engineering activities and experiments. Chemical genetic
engineering includes genetic mapping, studying genetic interaction and genetic coding.
In genetic mapping, DNA fragments are assigned to individual chromosomes and thus,
a genetic map is created after the complete DNA sequencing of a subject is done.
Genetic mapping is very crucial to understanding the disease-gene link and this
understanding lays the foundation of various gene therapies. Studying genetic
interactions helps researchers understand exactly what set and combination of genes
would produce a particular phenotype or set of morphological, physiological and
behavioral characteristics. Genetic coding deals with studying and experimenting with
amino acid sequences of DNA and RNA so as to understand the heredity trends and
characteristics of a subject. This helps in understanding the bases, possibilities and
conditions of undesirable hereditary characteristics, defects and disease in a bid to
come out with medical solutions for the same.

ex:

https://biologywise.com/types-of-genetic-engineering

III. GMO in plants and animals (international and local application)

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) refer to plants, animals or microbes
whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering techniques in order to
generate desired traits or products. This is done because crops and animals are
naturally susceptible to pests and diseases. However, genetically modified food
may result in side effects that can risk our health. Thus, countries around the
world each have their regulatory policies.

GMO Regulations:
International Local (Philippines)

USA regulation for GMO crops: ● Cartagena Protocol on

Biosafety (CPB)
● Department of Agriculture - requires the regulation of GMOs
- field testing of GM crops for before they are subject to
research transboundary movements
● Protection Agency
- plants with pest-resistant ● National Committee on
properties Biosafety of the Philippines
● Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (NCBP)
- GM crops that are eaten by - review and monitor R&D
humans or animals involving GMOs.
● EPA - created by Executive Order 430
- regulates the safety of the
● Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
substances that protect GMO - “all food derived from genetically
plants, referred to as plant- modified (GM) crops in the market are
incorporated protectants (PIPs) safe and as nutritious as those from
- monitors all other types of conventional crops”
pesticides that are used on
crops, including on GMO and
non-GMO crops

European Union:
- much stricter regulatory policy than USA

● Case-by-case basis
- GM foods must be strictly
evaluated before being
marketed

● “Safeguard Clause”
- Even after approval, individual
EU countries can request to
ban certain GM foods from their
borders
 China:

● Seed Law
- “the breeding, experimentation,
registration and promotion of
GMO plant varieties must
undergo safety evaluation”
● Regulation on Administration of
Safety of Agricultural
Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMO Regulation)
- Responsible for agricultural
GMOs
● MARA
- responsible for nationwide
supervision and administration
of the safety of agricultural
GMOs
- issued safety certificates and
licenses for foreign genetically
modified crops including
soybean, corn, cotton and rape

FDA says genetically modified crops safe | Inquirer News

Philippine Biosafety Regulatory Gaps and Initiatives | FFTC Agricultural Policy
Platform (FFTC-AP)
Commercialisation of GMOs in China - New Food Magazine
How are GM foods regulated? - Vox

IV. Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:
1. It follows the same scientific principles that have been practiced for
generations.
 2. It makes agricultural practices much safer.
3. It creates greater yields.
4. It allows us to create better food products.
5. It can improve the growth rates of crops.
6. It allows specific traits to be developed for plants and animals.
7. It can improve disease resistance.
8. It can increase the amount of available cropland for growing.
9. It could stop genetic diseases in humans.
10. It could produce novel medical treatments.

Disadvantages:
1. 1. It is a technology that can be easily abused.
2. It creates difficult legal liabilities with unintended consequences.
3. It limits the amount of diversity that is available.
4. It may have negative consequences when interacting with other species.
5. It can have unintended negative consequences.
6. It only prolongs the resilience effect.
7. It does not guarantee higher nutritional values.
8. It could create new pathogens.
9. It can lead to more birth defects.
10. It turns animals into commodities.

https://www.biologyonline.com/tutorials/genetic-engineering-advantages-
disadvantages
https://vittana.org/13-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-genetic-engineering
https://brandongaille.com/21-advantages-disadvantages-genetic-engineering/
https://futureofworking.com/7-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-genetic-
engineering/
https://environmental-conscience.com/genetic-engineering-pros-and-cons/

V. How this affect humans and environment

With the advent of genetic engineering, scientists can now change the way genomes
are constructed to terminate certain diseases that occur as a result of genetic mutation
[1]. Today genetic engineering is used in fighting problems such as cystic fibrosis,
diabetes, and several other diseases.

Effects on the Environment

Although the positive impacts of this field could be enormous, there are many questions
raised that need to be answered. New organisms created by genetic engineering could
present an ecological problem. One cannot predict the changes that a genetically
engineered species would make on the environment. The release of a new genetically
engineered species would also have the possibility of causing an imbalance in the
ecology of a region just exotic species would do. An accident or an unknown result
could cause several problems. An accident in engineering the genetics of a virus or
bacteria for example could result in a stronger type, which could cause a serious
epidemic when released. This could be fatal in human genetic engineering creating
problems ranging from minor medical problems, to death.

Reference: Mercer DK, Scott KP, Bruce-Johnson WA, Glover LA, Flint HJ (1999) Fate
of free DNA and transformation of the oral bacterium Streptococcus gordonii DL1 by
plasmid DNA in human saliva. Appl Environ Microbiol65:6-10.

Effects on Human

Looking at the fact that genetic engineering employs viral vectors that carry functional
genes inside the human body; the repercussions are still unknown. There are no clues
as to where functional genes are being placed. They may even replace the important
genes, instead of mutated genes. Thus, this may lead to another health condition or
disease to humans. Also, as defective genes are replaced with functional gene, then it
is expected that there will be a reduction in genetic diversity and if human beings will
have identical genomes, the population as a whole will be susceptible to virus or any
form of diseases [5].

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8439/

Genetic engineering could also create unknown side effects or outcomes. Certain
changes in a plant or animal could cause unpredicted allergic reactions in some people
which, in its original form, did not occur. Other changes could result into the toxicity of
an organism to humans or other organisms.

https://www.itmedicalteam.pl/articles/human-social-and-environmental-impacts-of-
human-genetic-engineering-106820.html#:~:text=With%20the%20advent%20of
%20genetic,diabetes%2C%20and%20several%20other%20diseases.