MODULE 5, LESSON 11: GENETIC ENGINEERING

Introduction

During our last discussion, we discussed about the different types of reproduction among animals and the
importance of reproduction for the survival of species over time. Today, we will be discussing how the
society has been working on experiments and theories in order to further improve life or produce modified
organisms with more favorable traits to prolong their life. This includes genetic engineering and producing
genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, it should be noted that undergoing these procedures
such as genetic / DNA recombination in order to produce organisms with more desirable traits may al so
lead to some genetic disorders like phenylketonuria which might pose threat to their life and survival.

At the end of this session, you should be able to:

Discussion

Genetic Engineering

 Genetic engineering is the process in which genetic material is transferred from one organism to
another. Artificial selection is the most traditional form of genetic engineering, wherein specificity of
synthesis of target DNA sequence is less than current genetic engineering technology. It has
application on the pharmaceutical, industrial, agricultural, medical and other industries.

 Genetic engineering means modifying genes in a living organism to produce genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) also known as transgenic organisms. It is a modern type of genetic modification. In
this process, the gene of interest is physically removed and placed in an organism to be modified. This
method is more rapid and specific than the traditional plant breeding because a gene coding for a
specific trait could be transferred to an organism. Genetic engineering is an application of
biotechnology which uses biological systems, processes, or organisms to create products intended to
improve the quality of human life.

 Below is an example wherein a tobacco plant is expressing a firefly gene and a pig is expressing a
jellyfish gene, both for bioluminescence.
How is genetic engineering done?

 Genetic information is transferred via a vector. A vector can be a bacterium, through its circular DNA
called a plasmid, or a virus. Below is a diagram of genetic transfer through the use of bacterial
plasmid. A specific target genetic segment, is spliced into a bacterial plasmid and allowed to be
replicated. This gene can then be transferred to a target organism, such in the case of pest-resistant
crop, or proteins can be harnessed, such as in the case of insulin.

 As shown in the illustration above, copies of the recombinant plasmid— a circular, double-stranded
DNA molecule, will be isolated and transferred to other organisms. Depending on the gene of interest,
genetic engineering has various applications in the field of medicine, environment, and agriculture.

 To help you describe the processes involved in genetic engineering, let us use Bt corn, a genetically
modified pest resistant plant as an example. This plant was grown in the Philippines against Asian
corn borer, a major pest in corn.

A. DNA Isolation (isolating plasmid and gene of interest)

 The first step in creating a pest-resistant plant is isolating the plasmid of Agrobacterium and pest-
resistant gene from a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
 Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a gram-negative soil bacteria cause crown gall disease in plants but its
tumor-inducing plasmid is usually used in genetic engineering because of its ability to integrate its
DNA into a plant’s genome.

 The resistant gene would be obtained in the DNA of Bacillus thuringiensis. This bacterium produces a
protein known as Cry1Ab toxin that is lethal to the larval stage of lepidopterans (moth family).

B. Ligation (gene insertion to the plasmid)

 When the resistant gene is inserted into the isolated plasmid, they are cleaved using the same
restriction enzyme before they are combined using DNA ligases. Restriction enzymes are also called
restriction endonucleases. Once they recognize a specific nucleotide sequence, they cleave the
strands.

C. Transformation (plasmid is placed back into bacterial cell)

 The recombinant plasmid would then be placed back to the bacterium in a process called
transformation.
 D. Selection (identification of the desired clone)

 The nutrient media with X-gal (special galactose sugar) are used to select the transformed bacteria
containing the recombinant plasmid with the gene of interest.

 The selected bacteria would then infect the cell of corn and integrate the gene into the plant’s DNA.
When the plant cell divides, each daughter cell receives the new gene. The transformed corn plant is
now pest-resistant.

 The inserted gene producing the toxin in the genetically modified crop is only lethal to specific target
pests.

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been
artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates combinations of plant,
animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding
methods.

 Most GMOs have been engineered to withstand the direct application of herbicide and/or to produce
an insecticide. However, new technologies are now being used to artificially develop other traits in
plants, such as a resistance to browning in apples, and to create new organisms using synthetic
 biology. Despite biotech industry promises, there is no evidence that any of the GMOs currently on the
market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

Current Uses of GMOs

 The genes of bacteria, plants, and animals are being modified to improve the quality of human life.
Depending on the gene of interest, GMOs have many uses in agriculture, medicine, and the
environment.

A. Uses of Genetically Modified Bacteria

 Escherichia coli creates a synthetic human insulin.

 Cyanobacteria is used to yield polyhydroxybutyrate to produce bioplastic.

B. Uses of Genetically Modified Plants

 Bt corn is a pest-resistant plant against corn-infesting larvae.

 Banana vaccine is an edible vaccine against hepatitis virus.

 Golden rice is a genetically modified rice that produces beta-carotene.

C. Uses of Genetically Modified Animals

 Bioluminescent animals are used to identify different types of cells to detect diseases.

 Some bioluminescent animals such as glow fish became novelty pets to humans.

 Fast-growing salmon are genetically modified salmon to continually produce growth hormones.

Advantages of GMOs

 Increased productivity. This enables farmers to have higher crop yields and reduced pesticide use
(e.g. Bt corn).

 Reduced pesticide use. Since GM crops are modified for a specific pest, the use of pesticide against
that pest is reduced or removed.

 Improved nutrition like the high beta carotene content of Golden Rice. GM crops such as Golden Rice
with improved nutrition (high in beta carotene) reduces eye-related problems like blindness due to
malnutrition.

 Aided disease detection. Diseases can be identified because of protein trackers in bioluminescent
animals.

Disadvantages of GMOs

 Reduced biodiversity of non-damaging insects. Pest resistant crops (e.g. Bt corn) lead to unintended
harm to non-crop damaging insects such as larvae of monarch butterflies when affected by pollen of
Bt corn.

 Decreased pesticide effectivity. Pest resistant crops seem to reduce the need for pesticide at first but it
would increase later on.

 Produced allergic reactions. Some people develop an allergic response to GM crops when exposed to
them.

 Led to a higher cost for GM seeds. Farmers buy new seeds every year. Farmers using second
generation seeds would lead them to Supreme Court with a charge of patent infringement.
Learning Tasks

A. Making a Slogan

Design a slogan about genetic engineering and the implications, both positive and negative, of GMOs in
the Philippines. Your slogan will be evaluated using this rubric:

Criteria Points
Accuracy and Organization of Information and Ideas 20
Relevance to the Topic 10
Creativity 5
Timeliness 5
Total 40

B. True or False Quiz

Answer the following 5-item quiz. Your score after taking the quiz will be recorded. Good luck!

1. Genetic engineering involves the transfer of enzymes from one organism to another.
2. Genetic engineering is characterized by the sequential processes of DNA isolation followed by
ligation, transformation and lastly, selection of desired clone.
3. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are products of manipulations of gene in the laboratory,
the products of which cannot be obtained from the traditional breeding or production methods.
4. Banana vaccine is an edible vaccine against polio virus.
5. One of the advantages of GMOs is the improved nutrition given by the high beta carotene content
of golden rice.

References

Dela Cruz, A.C., Remotigue, C.T., Dizon Jr., E.A., Dizon, Z.S., Listanco, E.L., Tabugo, S.R.M., Diaz,
M.G.Q., Estacion, J.S., Crisologo, D.T., Guce, J.R.M. (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High
School. Earth and Life Science—Core Subject. Commission on Higher Education.

Prepared and submitted by:

Leslee Anne G. Cortez

Teacher, DIHS