Download - Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)
Topic 6By: Lisa Bui, Saksham Sachdev, Sara Yassin
What are GMO’s?● Organisms that have been genetically engineered with DNA
from different species of plants and animals, bacteria, or viruses
● This process cannot occur in nature
● It is a popular alternative method in the production of food, products, and animals
Why use GMO’s?
• Engineering crops to extend shelf life of fresh produceo Ex. Tomatoes (Flavr Savr)
• Engineering of crops to provide protection from insectso Ex. Corn
Why use GMO’s?• Engineering animals to enhance
productiono Ex. Sheep
• Engineering animals to produce desired productso Ex. Glofish
Maize Crops aka Corn Crops
• Often damaged by corn borer insects (pests)
• In order to kill the pests, a gene from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) (codes for Bt toxin) is transferred to the maize
• Often damaged by corn borer insects (pests)
• In order to kill the pests, a gene from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) (codes for Bt toxin) is transferred to the maize
Potential Benefits• Less pest damage → higher crop yields to reduce food shortages
• Less land required for crop production → some areas can be used for other purposes (i.e. areas for wildlife conservation)
• Less usage of pesticides (pesticides → expensive and harmful)
Potential Harmful Effects• Humans or animals that eat the Bt maize may be harmed by the Bt
toxin
• Other insects that are not pests could also be killed
• Populations of wild plants may be changed
Ethical Issues• The idea of creating and altering life, making it impure.• The animal’s choice or right in the matter of being modified. Consent ethics.• People who for philosophical or religious reasons reject transgenic technology.• Each organism has their own respective niche. By creating a new modified
organism it may be able to outcompete other organisms from their niches. This makes genetically modified organisms unnatural and therefore unethical.
Recent News: Anti-GMO study retracted
Quiz Time!(1) Explain why one would use Genetically modified organisms with examples.(2) What is an example of genetic modification? Name one benefit and one harmful effect of it.(3) What did the study about genetically modified maize show? Why was it retracted?
· A) GMO maize is a great idea, it has no side effects whatsoever. It was retracted due to lack of conclusive data.· B) GMO maize is carcinogenic and should no longer me made. It was retracted due to a scientist committing fraud in the published
study.· C) GMO maize is a great idea, it has no side effects whatsoever. It was retracted due to a scientist committing fraud in the published
study.· D) GMO maize is carcinogenic and should no longer me made. It was retracted due to lack of conclusive data.
(4) Which of the following is a valid ethical issue with GMOs?· A) The idea of altering life from its natural state.· B) The bible states GMO production is wrong.· C) GMOs always hurt animals.· D) Scientists never treat GMOs with respect.
