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STS Chapter-7

technology science chapter 7

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73 views2 pages

STS Chapter-7

technology science chapter 7

Uploaded by

Eloy Dumalhin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 7

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND POLITICS

INTRODUCTION
In 2001, Rosalie Ellasus, a former overseas Filipino worker in Singapore turned farmer, attended the Integrated pest
management farmers field school and was introduced to BT Corn, a genetically modified corn that is resistant to the destructive Asian
corn borer. Ms. Ellasus volunteered for demo-testing in her field. BT Corn yielded 7.2 tons per acre as per compared to a regular 4.2 tons
per hectare. No insecticide spraying was needed. This is one of the success stories of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s)
(ONGKIKO, 2016) Genetic engineering has been with the human society since selective breeding wand s introduced to humankind and
when animals were domesticated. Yet, the process of genetic alterations is all but natural. It was in 1951 that the term genetic engineering
was coined by Jack Williamsom, author of the Science fiction novel Dragon’s Island (Stableford 2004). This was years before actual
research findings on the DNA’s role in heredity ad its structure, the double-helix of Watson and Crick, were published. Through continuous
search for development, genetic engineering no longer stayed in science fiction novel. It became a reality in science laboratories. The
general process of genetic engineering is the deliberate manipulation of the organisms’ genes, where it may involve transfer from other
organisms.

GENETICALL MODIFIED ORGANISMS


Genetically modified organism (GMO) is the term used for an organism created through genetic engineering. The World Health
Organization (WHO, 2014) defines GMO as “organisms, either plant, animal, or microorganisms, in which the genetic material (DNA) has
been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination.”

GMO’s in FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES


The center for Eco-genetics and Environmental Health (CEEH, 2013) identified the following roles of GMO’s in the food and agricultural
industries.
1. PEST RESISTANCE- genetically modified plants to resist certain pests. An example is BT corn. The DNS
(genome) of the BT corn has been modified with the gene of Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium that produces proteins which is toxic
to corn borers. (worm)

2. VIRUS RESISTANT- genetically modified plants to resist certain viruses. An example is GM papaya or rainbow papaya. The
papaya ringspot ( PRSV) is known to be as detrimental to papaya plants. The protein of PRSV was introduced to the papaya plant through
plant tissue which turned out to be resistant to the virus itself. The effect was like the vaccines humans have against measles or influenza
virus.
3. HERBICIDE TOLERANCE- genetically modified plants to tolerate herbicide. An example is Roundup Ready soybean.
Glyphosate and herbicide for weeds was introduced to soybean making in tolerant to the herbicides itself. Farmers then can spray the
herbicide killing the weeds but not the soybeans.
4. FORTIFICATION- genetically modified plants fortified with certain minerals. An example is Golden Rice, Beta- carotene, a
precursor of vitamin A, was introduced though biosynthesis genes to the rice, making the rice grains fortified with vitamin A.
5. COSMETIC PRESERVATION- genetically modified plants resist natural discoloration. An example is Arctic Apple. The apple
variety was genetically modified suppress browning of apple due to superficial damage.
6. Increase growth rate- a genetically modified organisms that has higher yield in growth than normal species. An example is
AquAdvantage Salmon, A gene from an ocean pout, an eel-like fish was introduced to Pacific Chinook salmon, making the salmon grow
faster than its normal rate.

GMO’S IS NON-FOOD CROPS AND MICRORGANISMS


Genetically modified organisms (GMO in non-food crops and some microorganism involve the following:
1.FLOWER PRODUCTION - GMOs in flower production are seen in modified color and extended vase life of flowers, Examples are blue
roses. The so called “blue” roses which are, in reality lilac or purple contained cyaniding 3,5- di glucoside, together with large amounts
flavanols. The introduction of the flavonoid 31, 51- hydroxylase gene into pelargonidin-or cyaniding producing rose cultivars diverts the
anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway toward the production of delphinidin glucosides and the flower color to blue.
2. PAPER PRODUCTION - Modified characteristics of trees for higher yield of paper production. Examples are poplar trees, Lignin
is a complex polymer in trees that is removed from wood to make paper through kraft process, through inserting genes that code for
ferulic acid in young poplar trees, the lignin structure is modified, making lignin easier to breakdown
3. PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTIONS - Modified plants to produce pharmaceutical products, Examples are periwinkle plant to
enhance the production of vinblastine, an alkaloid usually added to drugs for cancer treatments like Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
4. BIO REMEDIATION - Use of modified plants that can assist in the bioremediation of polluted sites. An example is shrub tobacco,
Nicotiana glauca, or shrub tobacco genetically modified with phytochelatin TaPCSII, is used for bioremediation. It shows high level
accumulation of zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, and boron and produces high biomass

BENEFITS OF GMO’s
Studies show some of the potential benefits of GMO’s:
1. Higher efficiency in farming- with the use of pesticide resistant/ herbicide-tolerant GMO crops, there will be less use for
herbicides/ pesticides and lower cost for labor and cultivation.
2. Increase in harvest- GMO crops resistant to pests and disease means increase in potential growth and harvest.
3. Control in fertility- Controlling the purity of the hybrid seeds ( GMO seeds) endures higher yields
4. Increase in food processing- Altered characteristics of GMO crop help ease food processing.
5. Improvement of desirable characteristics- GMOs offer longer shelf life, enhanced color and taste, enhanced production or
reduction of enzymes, and other modified characteristics of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

POTENTIAL RISK OF GMO’s


1. Since genetic engineering is still a young branch of science there are inadequate studies on the effects of GMO’s to humans
and the environment.
2. Genetic engineering promotes mutation in organisms which the long-term effect is still unknown.
3. Humans’ consumption of GMO’s might have the following effects.
a) More allergic reactions-GMO food may trigger allergic reactions, more so create new ones, as side effect of the
gene alteration.
b) Gene mutation- GMO food may develop abnormalities and mutation, more than desired product of the gene alteration.
c) Antibiotic resistance- GMO food contains antibiotic resistant genes. This may cause disease-causing bacteria likely to
be more antibiotic- resistant too, increasing the possibility of widespread of the disease
d) Nutritional value- GMO food may have change in their nutritional value- GMO food may have change in their nutritional
value.

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