GENETICALLY-MODIFIED ORGANISMS

https://labx.org/2018/11/night-lab-improv-food-fight/
 GENETICS
the study of heredity
(the expression of traits
and how they are passed
from generation to
generation)

https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics/the-quest-for-the-perfect-tomato2
Image from: https://mirakind.org/genetics-101
 THE DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid, is the
double helix molecule that contains
our unique genetic information for
the transmission of inherited traits

Maurice Wilkins
Francis Crick
Friedrich Miescher

James Watson Rosalind Franklin Photograph 51

Image from: https://mirakind.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/genes-are-specific.png
THE HUMAN GENOME
is the complete set of genetic instructions for
the growth and development of the organism

Human Genome Project

an international, collaborative
research program whose goal was the
complete mapping and understanding
of all the genes of human beings
Image from: https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/03/07/genetics-revolution-upending-concept-disease-improve-healthcare/
BIOTECHNOLOGY
any technological application that uses
biological systems, living organisms, or
derivatives thereof, to make or modify
products or processes for specific use

harnesses cellular and biomolecular

processes to develop technologies and
products that help to improve lives
SUPPLY & DEMAND CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS
pests destructive insects or animals that attack crops
common control method: insecticide

weeds unwanted plants competitively growing alongside

cultivated plants
common control method: herbicide

diseases lead to abnormal growth or death of plants

common control method: fungicide
SUPPLY & DEMAND CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS
drought water is crucial to healthy plant growth

damage in shipping plants grow in specific region/climate

spoilage food beyond their “shelf life”

convenience consumers want quick and easy to prepare food

cost low-priced preference of costumers
flavor taste & texture preference of costumers
 Can you identify the difference
between these plants, seeds, and
fruit?
GENETIC MODIFICATION

Genetic engineering
controlled and deliberate
manipulation of biological systems
for the efficient manufacture or
processing of useful products
 GMOs are created by injecting chemicals
into food AFTER it is harvested.

GMOs are developed through genetic engineering where scientists

identify and insert specific traits into the DNA of the seed before it
is ever planted. The plant grows just like conventional (non-GMO)
seeds. The transgenic trait is then transferred to other varieties
through traditional cross-breeding.

See “The Life of a Seed-Jake, a GMO Seed

GMOs are: GMOs are NOT:
• Plants with one or more • Plants that were
genetic characteristics
that were inserted into
improved through
the genome using artificial selection
biotechnology. processes like cross
breeding,
hybridization, or
mutagenesis.
 GMOs have bombarded the produce section
of the grocery store. It is difficult to avoid
GMO fruits and vegetables.

There are only 10 approved varieties of GMO plants. Of

those crops, 5 could be found in the produce section. They
are sweet corn, papaya, potatoes, squash, and the Arctic
apple. (The arctic apple won’t be available on store shelves for a few more years)
Crops that have been genetically modified:
• Alfalfa
• Canola
• Corn (field and sweet)
• Cotton
• Papaya
• Potatoes
• Soybeans
• Squash
• Sugar Beets
• Granny Smith Apple http://ww9.onvacations.co//genetically-modified-food-list-in-india/
GMO Crop Table
WHERE ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO FIND A GMO ?

a. A tomato farm
b. A carrot farm
c. A sugar beet farm
d. A watermelon farm
 After a GMO is developed, it is thoroughly
evaluated by the USDA, FDA, and EPA to
identify unintended consequences to the
environment or to our health if consumed.

It takes many years for a GMO to be approved first for

field testing and second for commercial production.
GMO Regulation Process
• It takes many years for a new GM crop to be
developed, tested, and finally approved for
commercial release.
• Prior to the release of a new GM crop it is tested and
monitored by three primary agencies in the United
States.
• Food and Drug Administration
• United States Department of Agriculture
• Environmental Protection Agency
REGULATORY PRACTICES Research &
Development

Laboratory Trials
Stakeholder
Consultation Greenhouse Trials

Application for Field Trials

Permits

APPROVAL
Food and Drug Administration
• FDA regulates the safety of food for humans and
animals, including foods produced from genetically
engineered (GE) plants.
• Foods from GE plants must meet the same food safety
requirements as foods derived from traditionally bred
plants.
United States Department of Agriculture
• The USDA, EPA, and FDA work to ensure that crops
produced through genetic engineering for commercial
use are properly tested and studied to make sure they
pose no significant risk to consumers or the
environment.
 Growing a GMO Crop Growing a non-GMO Crop

• Desired traits can be fairly • Desired traits can be

quickly identified. (<10 years) • Desired traits identified. It may take a
can be significant amount of time
identified and (decades) to find.
perpetuated.
• Plants can become • Disease and pests are
genetically resistant to • Life cycle and growth controlled with chemicals
disease or pests. of plant is equivalent. or other cultivation
practices.
• Safety and
• Scientists can find a nutrition of plant • Desired traits cannot be
single specific trait and is equal. perpetuated individually.
insert it into the DNA.
 The bulk of GM crops that are harvested in
the US are for the use of livestock feed.

GM field Corn, Alfalfa, Soybeans, and the by-products of

sugar beets and cotton harvested in the United States are
all used to feed livestock.
 If I purchase food labeled with the USDA
Organic seal, I know these products did not
grow from a GM seed.

In addition to other growth and production requirements, foods

with the “Organic” seal were not grown from GM seeds.
What do these labels mean to you?
Have you seen these labels?

Are there any food labels that could

be misleading or meaningless?
 Organic food is more nutritious than
conventionally raised food.

The researchers discovered very little difference in

nutritional content.
 Using GM crop varieties in every country
would be beneficial.

Many third world countries do not have the technology and

resources to utilize the benefits of GM crops. For example, if a
farmer in another country does not have access to herbicides,
using herbicide tolerant crops would not be beneficial.
 The implementation of GM seeds over the
last 20 years has increased the price of food.

A study shows that the prices of corn, soybeans and canola

would probably be 5-9% higher than if GM technology
was not available to farmers.
The Production and Price Impact of Biotech Crops
Health studies about the safety of consuming
GM crops are less than 30 years old.

GM crops have only been in production since 1996. While

studies have shown they are safe, their scope is limited to
the amount of time they have been in production and use.
 GMOs are NOT directly linked to being a
cause for cancer.

GM crop varieties pose no greater risk of increasing the

risk of cancer than their conventional counterparts.
A decade of EU-funded GMO Research
Compilation of Research on GM Crops
 Studies show that GMOs are linked to an
increase in allergies.

90% of all allergies are caused by peanuts, tree nuts, milk,

eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, and fish. To date, only soy
even has a GM variety. See more explanation:
Are GMOs causing an increase in allergies?
There aren’t any known environmental risks
to producing and growing GM crops.

Potential environmental risks are known, which leads to

monitoring and testing before approval of a new GM crop.
Scientists monitor GM crops to watch for unintended
consequences that could be seen long term such as herbicide
tolerance, biodiversity concerns, and effect on non-target
organisms.
 Environmental Protection Agency

• The EPA focuses on reviewing

environmental impacts of a GE crop prior to
field testing and the commercial release of
the seed.
• They ensure there are no unintended
consequences to honeybees, other beneficial
insects, earthworms, fish, or the environment
in general.
• They also look for any impact they may have
on other crops.

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 GMOs are contributing to the death of
butterflies.

Butterflies would need to eat the Bt found in GM crops to

have it kill them. Butterflies are not pests, and therefore do
not feed on the actual plants.
Dominic Reisig, North Carolina State University
GMO CASE FILES: GOLDEN RICE
a variety of rice produced by adding
three β-carotene genes www.goldenrice.org

intended to be
grown and consumed
in areas with
shortage of vitamin A
(usually developing
countries)
GMO CASE FILES: BT CORN
a variety of corn (maize) resistant to
pest and to herbicides

Bacillus
thuringiensis,
poisonous to
certain insect
pests, is activated
in the pest’s gut
GMO CASE FILES: BT TALONG
a variety of eggplant
incorporated with Bt, a common soil
bacterium which produces a protein
harmful to Fruit and Shoot Borer
(FSB), to confer insect resistance
ISSUES IN AGRICULTURAL GMO
TECHNOLOGY:
Food safety

Environmental safety All of these

 Is this food safe? concerns apply to
 Are there adverse environmental food &
effects? agriculture in
 Patenting of seeds general.
 Discrimination against poor countries
 Who benefits from the technology?
 Should this food be labelled?
ISSUES IN GMO TECHNOLOGY
These concerns are generally true for all
innovations.
Governments should create policies based on the
following principles:

 Promote general welfare

 Maintain people’s rights
(individuals, groups,
corporations)
 Ensure justice: burdens and
benefits must be equally shared