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Lesson 9 (Highlighted)

The document discusses the uses and effects of GMOs and gene therapy on society, highlighting benefits such as increased crop yield, pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional content, while also addressing concerns like ecological imbalances, health risks, and loss of biodiversity. It outlines the ethical and moral debates surrounding genetic engineering, emphasizing the controversy over altering the genetic code of organisms. Additionally, it provides a historical overview of significant milestones in the approval and use of GMOs and gene therapy products.

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Kris Danniel
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10 views17 pages

Lesson 9 (Highlighted)

The document discusses the uses and effects of GMOs and gene therapy on society, highlighting benefits such as increased crop yield, pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional content, while also addressing concerns like ecological imbalances, health risks, and loss of biodiversity. It outlines the ethical and moral debates surrounding genetic engineering, emphasizing the controversy over altering the genetic code of organisms. Additionally, it provides a historical overview of significant milestones in the approval and use of GMOs and gene therapy products.

Uploaded by

Kris Danniel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,

AND SOCIETY

PRESENTED BY:
1.Identify the uses and effects of GMO’s and gene therapy on
society, particularly in the context of health and economy:
And
2.Discuss the moral and bioethical question concerning
genetic engineering.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
are organisms whose genetic material
has been altered using genetic
engineering techniques. This process
involves modifying the DNA of an
organism, typically by adding,
removing, or changing specific genes,
to achieve desired traits such as
disease resistance, improved yield, or
enhanced nutritional content.
Increased Crop Yield- GMOs are engineered to
produce higher yields, making farming more
efficient and potentially addressing food
shortages.

Pest Resistance- Some GM crops are modified to


produce their own insecticides, reducing the
need for chemical pesticides.

Herbicide Tolerance- Crops can be engineered


to resist certain herbicides, allowing farmers
to use those herbicides without harming the
crops.
Drought and Stress Resistance- GMOs can be
modified to withstand environmental stressors
like drought, salinity, and extreme
temperatures, helping crops survive in less-
than-ideal conditions.

Enhanced Nutritional Content- Some GMOs


are designed to contain more nutrients, such
as vitamins or minerals. A notable example is
Golden Rice, which is fortified with Vitamin A
to combat deficiencies in developing
countries.
Cross-Pollination- There is a risk of GM plants
transferring modified genes to wild or non-GMO
plants, potentially leading to ecological
imbalances.

Superweeds and Pests- Overuse of herbicide-


resistant GM crops can lead to the
development of "superweeds" or resistant
pests, making it harder to control them.

Health Concerns- While there is no conclusive evidence that


GMOs are harmful to human health, some people are
concerned about potential long-term effects, including
allergenicity or unknown side effects. There are debates
over the safety of consuming GMOs, though most scientific
bodies, including the WHO and FDA, consider them safe
when properly tested.
Loss of Biodiversity- The widespread use of a
few genetically modified crops may reduce
biodiversity, which could make ecosystems
more vulnerable to changes like disease
outbreaks or climate shifts.

Ethical and Moral Concerns- Some people


believe that altering the genetic code of living
organisms is unethical or unnatural.
One of the most controversial issues in
science and technology is the
introduction of genetically modified
seeds in the agriculture sector that
resulted in increased crop yield. With
the aim to improve harvest and the
agriculture sector as a whole, humans
seem to be disinterested in preserving
genetic diversity the natural way.
In 1982, the US Supreme Court ruled to allow
the patenting of GMOs. This ruling allowed
the Exxon Oil company to start using a
microorganism that can consume oil.
In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approved the first GMO-Humulin, a type
of insulin produced using genetically
engineered E. coli bacteria to be available in
the market.
In 1993, FDA approved bovine somatotropin
(bST), a metabolic protein hormone used to
increase milk production in dairy COWS for
commercial use.
In 1994, FDA approved the Flavr Savr tomato
for sale on grocery stores. This kind of
tomato has a delayed-ripening effect that
gives a longer shelf life compared with
natural tomatoes.
In 1996, weeds resistant to glyphosate, the herbicide used for
many GMO crops, were detected in Australia. Research
shows that the super weeds are 7 to 11 times more resistant to
glyphosate. In the same year, Dolly, the first cloned animal,
was born.

In 1985, Dr. W. French Anderson and Dr. Michael Blasse


worked together to show that cells of patients with Adenosine
deaminase (ADA).
In 1990, the first approved gene therapy clinical research
took place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the
team of Dr. Anderson.

In 1993, the first somatic treatment that produced a


permanent genetic change was performed.
The first commercial gene therapy product
Gendicine was approved in China in 2003 for the
treatment of certain cancers. Due to some clinical
successes since 2006.

In 2016, the Committee for Medicinal Products for


Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines
Agency (EMA) endorsed the gene therapy
treatment called Strimvelis that was approved by
the European Commission in June 2018
"Ethical Issues in Genetic
Engineering"

Various concerns on genetic engineering arise, making


gene therapy and GMOs very controversial innovations
in science and technology. Others support that it is
unethical for humans to have a hand in genetically
altering and engineering organisms.
Agroecology is a field of study that presents novel
management approaches on farming systems that may
help address concerns regarding the effect of GMOs on
biodiversity and the health of the consumers.

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