Introduction

What are GMOs?

Organisms to which
genes coding for
specific, desirable
traits from another
(often unrelated)
organism have been
inserted.
Introduction
a process whereby genes from one organism are
moved into the genome of another organism
genes from bacteria or other plants or organisms
are moved into foods such as soybeans, corn,
potatoes, and rice to provide herbicide-tolerance
and/or insect resistance to the plants
(Environmental Commons, 2008).
recombinant DNA technology (rDNA)- Combining
genes from different organisms
resulting organism is said to be "genetically
modified," "genetically engineered," or
"transgenic" GMO products
Introduction
the most promising, precise and advanced
strategy available today for increasing global
food production
Process
Process
The Plasmid Method
The Vector Method
The Biolistic Method
Process
The Plasmid Method
 first technique of genetic engineering
 a small ring of DNA called a plasmid (generally found
in bacteria) is placed in a container with special
restriction enzymes
 same enzyme is then used to treat the DNA
sequence to be engineered into the bacteria
 two separate cut-up DNA sequences are introduced
into the same container, thus forming a ring of DNA
with additional content
 next step involves adding the newly formed
plasmids to a culture of live bacteria with known
genomes
Process
The Plasmid Method
 the DNA introduced into the plasmid will include not
only instructions for making a protein, but also
antibiotic-resistance genes
 Allows the successfully altered bacteria to grow and
reproduce
 With natural selection, the bacteria produced after
many generations will outperform the best of the
early generations.
Process
The Vector Method
 its products are inserted directly into the genome
via a viral vector
 cut the viral DNA and the DNA to be inserted with
the same enzyme
 combine the two DNA sequences

 separate those that fuse successfully

 those that cause its virulence, must first be removed

or the organism to be re-engineered would become
ill
 Viral genomes are allowed to synthesize protein
coats and then reproduce
Process
The Vector Method
 virus infects the target cells
 then begins to express the new sequence

 This technique is also being studied as a possible

way to cure genetic diseases.
Process
The Biolistic Method
 the gene-gun method
 pellets of metal (usually tungsten) coated with the
desirable DNA are fired at plant cells
 allowed to grow into new plants, and may also be
cloned to produce more genetically identical crop
The Law
The Law
The Genetically Modified Organisms
(Contained Use) Regulations 2000
 require risk assessment of activities involving
genetically modified micro-organisms
 introduce a classification system
 require notification of all premises to Health and
Safety Executive (HSE)
 require notification of individual activities to the
Competent Authority
 require fees payable for the notification of premises
 require the maintenance of a public register of GM
premises and certain activities
The Law
Section 108 (1) of the Environment Protection
Act 1990
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Risk
assessment)(Records and Exemptions)
Regulations 1996
The Genetically Modified Organisms
(Deliberate Release and Risk Assessment-
Amendment) Regulations 1997
 Advantages
and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Benefits to Crops
Improved yields* Organisms can be
Improved pest manipulated to
resistence* produce novel
Improved herbicide substances such as
vaccines,
tolerance*
medications, and
precursors to plastics
* To a degree not
possible using
traditional methods
Why Use GMOs?
Food Crops
Agronomic Traits:
Increase yields by attacking the source of crop
loss
Insect resistance (corn, cotton)
Herbicide resistance (soybeans, canola)
Virus resistance (papaya, squash)
Drought, salt tolerance
(under development)
Why Use GMOs?
 Food Crops
Consumer Traits:
 Flavor, freshness
 Flavr Savr tomato
 Processing
 Consistency
 Soy that is texturally
more desirable for
processed foods
 Nutrition
 “golden rice”
 Heart-healthy oils
 Reduced allergenicity
Possible Risks of GMOs
Problems could occur in the following areas:
Human health
Environment
Economics
 Disadvantages/dangers

Microorganisms Plants (Food) Animals Man

violation of
creation of new a new tool for
horizontal gene integrity of animal
invasive species eugenicists (IVF,
transfer (crossing species
(super-weeds) diagnosis, selection)
barriers)
creation of
contamination of
dangerous novel increased iatrogenic
organic/non-GM
pathogens and instrumentalisation death/illness from
crops/food with
diseases which may of animals gene therapy
transgenes
escape containment
potential for
spread of antibiotic loss of biodiversity
animal suffering creating a genetic
resistance of farm wildlife
underclass
zoonoses (GM
instrumentalisation
viral recombination loss of crop genetic animal to human
of the one
of supposedly diversity increases disease transfer in
individual by others
crippled viruses famine risk xenotransplantation
('designer babies')
)
 Disadvantages/dangers
Plants (Food) Man
increase in herbicide use to control volunteers creation of GM human beings (embryos) to
(weedy crop plants) supply body parts
horizontal gene transfer into soil and gut iatrogenic illness from drugs made by genetic
microorganisms engineering, e.g. insulin
risk of mutation from trans-species transfer of
spread of antibiotic resistance marker genes
'jumping genes'
creation of superviruses by viral recombination
genomic instability
in human cell culture
cancer from gene therapy viral vectors
allergenicity of foods
recombining with endogenous viruses
novel toxicity of foods
crossing 'species barriers'
chemical/seed corporations control food supply
toxins from GM plant debris affect soil
flora/fauna
genetic instability of transgenic lines
 
increased risk of pesticide/herbicide resistance
live recombinant (cancer) viruses from virus-
resistant GM plants
genetic pollution multiplies
unsustainable agriculture
 Benefits

Microorganisms Plants (Food) Animals Man

GM animals can
versatile tool for gene quicker, more generate
manipulation in predictable way to pharmaceutical treating genetic
preparation for generate new proteins which cannot disorders and cancer
making other GMOs cultivars be made in any other
way
new agriculturally
creation of new increased biodiversity
useful GM breeds, e.g. creating new types of
pharmaceuticals which of weed populations
which can tolerate human beings with
cannot be made in any and hence farm
factory farming advantageous traits
other way wildlife
without suffering
 Benefits

Microorganisms Plants (Food) Man

overall herbicide and
ease of containment supplying body parts
pesticide use lower
bioremediation (cleaning up
cultivar properties better
waste/pollution with living
known than ever before
organisms)
genes from different genera
can be inserted
helps food security  
gene flow (pollution)
 
controllable (male sterility,
terminator genes)
sustainable agriculture
 Current
Researches
Current Researches
Crop Case Study: GMO Golden Rice in Asia
with Enhanced Vitamin A Benefits for
Consumers
 Genetically modified rice that contains beta-
carotene, widely known as Golden Rice (GR)
 developed to address Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in
low-income rice consumers
China approves transgenic species
development program
 The program aims to gain genes of great
commercial value
 develop high-quality, high-yield and pest-resistant
genetically-modified new species
Current Researches
Happier cows = Better milk
 Newcastle University in the UK
 cows which are allowed to graze as nature intended
produce better quality milk
 Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project on animal health and
welfare
 findings are giving weight to claims that organic food is
more nutritious than non-organically grown produce
China approves big GMO budget
 huge budget for research of genetically modified crops
amid growing concerns over food security
Due to rising food needs, transgenic wheat could
be on the rise worldwide
The Reality
About 75% of the processed foods
on the market in the U.S. today
contain ingredients from GM
crops.
 corn flour
 high fructose corn syrup

 corn oil

 vitamin C

 soy flour

 soy oil

 soy milk

 lecithin
Environmental Issues
Ecological concerns:
 “invasive species” – biodiversity
 “biological pollution”
 “superweeds”
 impacts on nontarget organisms
 pest resistance

Irreversibility

*Comparators are important

Examples
Examples
Plants



Grapple

Potatoes, soybeans, cooton, squash, apples

corn, wheat

Animals
•Glowfish, and other fishes
•Cows
•Mice
•Piig, sheep, goat, birds
Environmental Issues:
2 Opposing Views
GM crops are safer for the
environment because they reduce
use of chemical pesticides
GM crops are safe because they
can’t survive in the wild; gene
flow happens
GM Bt crops have been tested for
safety on non-target organisms
GM crops have increased the
use of chemical herbicides
but
GM crops threaten biodiversity;
once released, they cannot be
but recalled
Effects of constant exposure to
Bt not well known
but
 ..End..
Jestine Faith Regudo
Marifel Mangulabnan