Genetically Modified FoodsBy: Emily Luti

How does it work?

Genes use messages to make certain enzymes.By introducing a foreign gene, new enzymes are

made according to that gene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoCIIhuLl8A&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Techniques

Bacterial Carriers: Bacterium such as Agrobacterium,

is able to transfer DNA well to plants. Bacterium prepared in special solution to make cell walls more

permeable. Selected gene is placed in the extra-chromosomal DNA (plasmid) of other

bacterium and dropped into solution. Solution is heated, giving the plasmid access to the Agrobacterium, and

the gene begins to express itself. The genetically altered bacterium is allowed to grow, then infect plants for

the gene to be expressed.

Techniques

Biolistics Selected DNA is attached to small particles of either gold or

metal tungsten. DNA particles are shot into the target cells using pressure.

Techniques

Calcium Phosphate precipitation Selected DNA is exposed to calcium phosphate, tiny granules

are created. Target cells respond to granules, and surround and digest

them. This allows the granules to

release the DNA and deliver

it to the host Nuclei and its DNA.

Techniques

Electroporation Prepared cells are surrounded by a special solution with the selected

DNA. A short electric shock is passed through the solution. The result is a permeable cell wall for the DNA to enter the nuclei

through. Cells are placed into another solution which encourages to repair of

their cell walls, locking the foreign DNA within. The new DNA is incorporated

into the chromosomes, and

the host has a new gene.

Techniques

Gene Silencing The gene that controls the undesirable trait is identified. A second copy of the gene, facing the wrong way around, is

attached to the undesirable gene.

Techniques

Gene Splicing Restriction enzymes can cut their DNA into “sticky” fragments and paste

them directly to another set of DNA for infection. These restriction enzymes are used by scientists to genetically engineer

cells. The DNA is cut, then inserted into a different set of DNA, where DNA ligase is used to fuse the new gene sequence to the chromosome.

Alternatively, the gene may be placed into a bacterial plasmid and allowed to enter the defective cell and deliver the new gene.

Techniques

Lipofection Small bubbles of fat, liposomes, are used to carry the specific

DNA. The target cells and liposomes are put into a special solution. The liposomes combine with the phospholipids in the cell

membrane, allowing the DNA to enter the cell and combine with the chromosomes.

Techniques

Microinjection Selected DNA is inserted into a female ovarian egg through a

glass capillary tube. The egg is transferred into the prepared uterus of a female to

grow full term. Creates a transgenic animal

that will have all new cells.

Techniques

Viral Carriers Selected DNA is added to a virus. Virus is then allowed to infect the target. As the virus replicates inside the invaded cell, the DNA is

added to the cells genetic make-up.

Industry

Countries using: Japan Malaysia Australia Europe (pretty much everyone) USA Canada Most first world countries and some second world Most countries require labels for consumer

choice

Examples?

Plants: Rice Soybean Sugar Cane Tomatoes Corn Potatoes Peas Squash,ect.

Examples?

Meats Cattle Pigs

Other products Honey Cotton Oils Tobacco Dairy Vitamins

The Debate: Good or Bad?

Advantages Medical Advances

Edible Vaccines

Virtual End to World Hunger No mal nutrition Grown in bulk/ plenty supply

Cheaper/Faster to Grow Don’t have to be rich to plant

Environmentally Friendly No pesticides No run-off into water supply

Sustainable Flood/Drought tolerant

Better Nutrition Vitamin enriched

Better Bang for your Buck Grown bigger

Endless possibilities Anything alive can be genetically modified

The Debate: Good or Bad?

Disadvantages Opposition

Religion Regulation/ money cost for approvement

What will it do in the future? Health risks Allergies Help or not?

Medicine Antibiotic resistance

What could it create? Resistant weeds

Pollination Cross pollination in wild

Choice? Labeling/ Health approval in some countries

Incidents already occurring 1989 incident killed dozens with infected food supplement L-tryptophan 2006 contaminated exported rice genes

Autobiography

Butcher, Mavis. "Genetically Modified Food-GM Foods List and Information." Disabled-World.com. Disabled-World, 22 Sept. 2009.

Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.disabled-worl.com/fitness/gm-foods.php>.

Deakin University- Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences. "Genetically Modified Foods-Techniques.“ Better Health Channel. State of Victoria. Web. 10 May 2012. <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Genetically_modified_foods_techniques>. Fedoroff, Nina V. "Engineering Food for All." The New York Times. The

New York Times, 19 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.

nytimes.com/2011/08/19/opinion/genetically-engineered-food-for-all.html>. Giorgio, V. "Genetically Modified Food." Scienceray. Scienceray, 5 Mar.

2008. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://scienceray.com/technology

/applied-science/genetically-modified-food/>.

Genetically Modified Food!!!