Genetically Modified Organisms

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND SOCIETY
GE – STS
OVERVIEW
Humanity continue to seek improvement in their way of living.
Where it leads to the invention of robots and other technologies
with the desire for ease and comfort.
However, there are drawbacks with these advancement. As

population are exponentially growing our environment can’t
compensate for our demands.
Genetically
Modified
Organism
LEARNING OUTCOME:
✓ Determine the presence of genetically modified

organisms (GMOs) in the local community
✓ Discuss the ethical issues associated with GMOs
✓ Argue the pros and cons of GMOs
✓ Prove or disprove the beneficial use of GMOs

Brief History
❑ Recombinant DNA technology is a process involving
the alteration of the genetic make-up of one’s
organism.
❑ 1973 – Discovery of method causing a certain bacteria
to produce foreign proteins by editing its genetic
material.
Herbert Boyer & Stanley Cohen

Brief History
❑ 2001
Rosalie Ellasus a former overseas Filipino worker
turned into farmer.
o She volunteered for demo-testing of Bt corn
in her field. Which yielded 7.2 tons per acre
as compared to regular yield of 4.2 tons per
acre.
Rosalie Ellasus
Genetically Modified Organism
❑ Term used to refer to an organism created through
recombinant DNA technology.
❑ GMO is any organism, in which its genetic material

(DNA) has been manipulated to produce phenotypic
traits, such traits would not occur naturally (by
mating or natural recombination).
Genetic Engineering Process
Main Method of Genetic Engineering
❑ Plasmid Method
▪ utilizes small circular pieces of DNA of bacteria
(called plasmids) with the aid of restriction
enzymes.
▪ Most commonly used method of modifying the
genetic material of any organism
❑ Vector Method
▪ Uses a virus that serves as a vector (carrier) of the
desired trait.
▪ The process involves the introduction of the desired

trait into the virus, the virus is then inserted into the
host cell and will soon replicate expressing all the
desired features.
https://www.askbio.com/aav-gene-therapy/
❑ Biolistic Method
▪ A.k.a gene gun method.
▪ It is done by firing a gene gun containing the
desired genes into the host.
▪ The process is similar to vaccination.
▪ It is mainly for the engineering of the plants
https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/how-to-make-a-gmo/
GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries
❑ Pest Resistance
▪ Plants genetically modified to resist certain
pests.
Ex. Bt corn
• a.k.a. transgenic corn,
• Modified to produce Cry proteins
(insecticidal proteins).
• The gene was acquired from
Bacillus thuringiensis, a
bacterium found in soils.
❑ Virus Resistance
▪ Plants genetically modified to resist certain
viruses.
.
Ex. GM papaya or rainbow papaya

• Inserted with the genetic sequence of
the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV).
• Once a rampant disease during the
mid-1990s in Hawaii, making it a
100% virus-resistant plant.
❑ Herbicide Tolerance
▪ Plants genetically modified to tolerate herbicide
.
Ex. Roundup Ready Soybeans or “glyphosate-tolerant"

soybeans
• Modified to withstand the herbicide
glyphosate.
• It was first planted commercially in
1996.
❑ Fortification
▪ Plants genetically modified and fortified with
certain minerals
.
Ex. Golden Rice

• Inserted with a gene
that codes for
Beta-carotene.
❑ Cosmetic Preservation
▪ Plants genetically modified to resist natural
discoloration.
.
Ex. Arctic Apple

• Genetically engineered to
prevent it from browning
due to superficial damage.
GMOs in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms
❑ Paper production
▪ Tress are modified for a higher yield of paper
production.
.
Ex. Poplar Trees

• A gene that codes for ferulic acid
were inserted in young poplar trees,
making lignin easier to breakdown.
❑ Pharmaceutical Productions
▪ Plants are modified to produce pharmaceutical
products.
.
Ex. Periwinkle Plants

• Added with bacterial genes
• Enabling the halogen to attach in alkaloids.
• Often added to antibiotics and other
drugs that can make medicines more
effective or last longer in the body.
❑ GMOs in the medical field
▪ Humalog or Humulin
Insulin produce by genetically
modified bacteria.
Risks of Application of Recombinant DNA
Technology
A. Risks to Biodiversity
▪ Organisms that rely on specific crops for survival

may be unable to consume genetically engineered
crops due to the introduced gene or modification.
Technology
▪ It would have ramifications for the entire food

chain as well as predator-prey relationships.
▪ Introducing a genetically modified organism

(GMO) into the environment may displace
indigenous fauna and flora.
Technology
Other Identified major risk:
1. Risk in Gene flow

There is a potential risk of the modified gene to
be transferred from the GMO crop to its wild relative
or organism in the soil and humans (when ingested).
Technology
Other Identified major risk:
2. Emergence of new forms of resistance and

secondary pests and weed problems.
3. Recombination of Virus and Bacteria to

Produce New Pathogens
Technology
B. Risks to Humanity
▪ In most GMO-derived foods, a marker gene has
been introduced alongside the gene that represents
the desired characteristic.
▪ Humans who consume food containing these genes
may face complications and may develop antibiotic
resistance if they consume foods containing
antibiotic resistance genes on a regular basis.
Technology
Other potential risk that raise major concern:
1. Human Genome Project

• Mapping of human genes to provide a
framework for research and studies in the field
of medicine.
Technology
1. Human Genome Project

• Mapping of human genes to provide a
framework for research and studies in the field
of medicine.
Technology
2. Mutation of genetically engineered

microorganisms
• GM bacteria and viruses may mutate to become
more resistant and virulent that may cause more
dreadful diseases for human beings.
Ethical Concerns in Recombinant DNA
Technology
❑ Recombinant DNA technology is often viewed as an act

of "human playing God" or putting humans themselves
in the place of the Almighty Creator.
❑ This technology allows humans to alter and

manipulate forms of life that were created in thy
perfection.
Ethical Concerns in Recombinant DNA
Technology
❑ Gatew and Mengistu (2019) stated that by genetically

modifying organisms, a scientist assumes that this
extremely new science, including natural evolution and
natural selection, is better for populating the world than
God or any other Creator.
Assignment: 50 points
GMO Profiling
Profile at least five (5) GMOs in your locality. Identify
all the modified characteristics and provide an original
photo (a photograph taken by you) for each organism.
References
Adnan, A. (2010, June 6). Genetic Engineering and its Methods. Biotech Articles.
https://www.biotecharticles.com/Others-Article/Genetic-Engineering-and-its-Methods-79.Html
Baker A. (2018, JANUARY 15). Arctic Apples: A Fresh New Take on Genetic
Engineering. Biology and Medicine.
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/arctic-apples-fresh-new-take-geneticengineering/
Bessin, R. (n.d.). Bt-Corn: What it is and How it Works. University of Kentucky College of
Agriculture. https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef130
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, May 22). Genetic engineering. Encyclopedia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/genetic-engineering
References
Gatew, H., Mengistu, K. (2019). Genetically modified foods (GMOs); A Review of Genetic
Engineering. Journal of Life Science and Biomedicine, 9 (6): 157-163. http://www.jlsb.science-
line.com/
Lallanilla, M. (2019, July 8). What Are GMOs and GM Foods? Live Science.
https://www.livescience.com/40895-gmo-facts.html
Quianzon, C & Cheikh, I. (2012, July 16). History of insulin. National Center for
Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3714061/
Serafica, J. P. J., Pawilen, G. T., Caslib, B. N. Jr., Alata, E.J.P. (2018). Science,
Technology and Society (1st ed.). Rex Book Store, Inc. 856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St.,
Manila. 133-148.

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY

However, there are drawbacks with these advancement. As

✓ Determine the presence of genetically modified

✓ Discuss the ethical issues associated with GMOs

✓ Argue the pros and cons of GMOs

✓ Prove or disprove the beneficial use of GMOs

Herbert Boyer & Stanley Cohen

❑ GMO is any organism, in which its genetic material

▪ The process involves the introduction of the desired

Ex. GM papaya or rainbow papaya

Ex. Roundup Ready Soybeans or “glyphosate-tolerant"

Ex. Golden Rice

Ex. Arctic Apple

Ex. Poplar Trees

Ex. Periwinkle Plants

❑ GMOs in the medical field

▪ Organisms that rely on specific crops for survival

▪ It would have ramifications for the entire food

▪ Introducing a genetically modified organism

1. Risk in Gene flow

2. Emergence of new forms of resistance and

3. Recombination of Virus and Bacteria to

1. Human Genome Project

1. Human Genome Project

2. Mutation of genetically engineered

❑ Recombinant DNA technology is often viewed as an act

❑ This technology allows humans to alter and

❑ Gatew and Mengistu (2019) stated that by genetically

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, May 22). Genetic engineering. Encyclopedia

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