Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically Modified OrganismsNL

Any organism that has had its genetic makeup directly altered; either to gain a desired trait from another organism or remove an unwanted oneAlso called genetic engineering or transgenicDeveloped with biotechnology Made in things like medicine, food, food ingredients, animals

What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

The desired gene of an organism is cut by restriction enzymes the desired gene is then inserted into a plasmid vector to be introduced into the organismsUndesired genes are removed by restriction enzymesHow is it done?

The foreign DNA is inserted into the host by:Microinjection process (DNA in micropipette inserted in embryo)BacteriaVirusesGene Guns Cont.

For many years, people have been altering genomes of plants/animals through breeding for desired traitsArtificial Selection is limited to naturally occurring variationsGenetic engineering techniques allow precise control over genetics changes in organisms that can be unrelated

Artificial Selection

First reported recombination of genetic material was in 1973One of the first applications was insulin by the bacteria E. coli, used to treat diabetes; approved by FDA in 1982In 1988, the first field tests of GM food were done for canola plants to increase yieldIn 1994, the first GM food was made available to consumers;Long-lasting tomatoesBy 2006, 252 million acres of GMO crops were planted by 10.3 farmers in 22 countriesMost things we eat now are GMOs or have GMO ingredients History

Rape Plants- given a gene enabling it to resist certain pesticides. Examples of GMO's

Genetically Modified to produce less of the substance that causes it rot so it will remain firm/fresh for longerLong-Lasting Tomatoes

Genetically Modified to contain large amount of beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the bodyGolden Rice

Genetically Modified to produce a poison to kill harmful insects, no longer needing insecticides. Called Bt-corn because the enhanced gene is from a bacteria called Bacillus ThuringiensisBt-Corn or Sweet Corn

Natural Zebrafish with genes from bioluminescent marine organisms GloFish

CropsGreater quality and tasteMature quickerIncrease in nutrients, yields, and stress toleranceimproved resistance to disease, pests and herbicides Able to survive extreme weatherBenefitsAnimalsIncreased resistance, productivity,hardiness, and feed efficiency Better yields of meat, eggs and milkImproved animal health and diagnostic Methods EnvironmentFriendly bioherbicides and bioinsectidesConservation of soil, water and energy

Health risk of allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markersEnvironment risks unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organismsDeveloping nations will depend even more Industrialized nationsViolation of natural organisms valuesTampering with nature by mixing genes of different speciesHaving plant genes in animals or vice versa

Controversies & Concerns

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) controls the regulation of GM foods in CanadaCFIA has a certain criteria for new GM food in Canada:How the crop was developed, with biological change of the foodcomposition of the new food vs the old foodnutritional information of new food vs old foodthe potential of toxins and for causing allergic reactions

Regulation of GM food in Canada

GM plants be used to produce recombinant vaccines, so that once consumed by individuals they will be vaccinated against diseases. This will aid in the solution to the spread of diseasesPlants that will produce new plastics that are more environmentally friendlyFruit and nut trees that will yield years earlier

Future Outlook

GMOs will help with the starvation problems around the worldAs the technology improves so will the use of GMOs and limit the risks involvedWe can eventually help ourselves with the experiments on animals

Conclusion

Dharmananda, S. (2005, December). Issues Surrounding Genetically Modified Products. In ITM Online. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gmo.htm

Phillips, T. (2008). Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology. In Scitable. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732

Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms. (2008, November 5). In Human Genome Project Information. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml

Chaudry, A. (2004, August). Genetically Modified Foods. In The Science Creative Quarterly. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.scq.ubc.ca/genetically-modified-foods/

4 Examples of Genetically modified crops. (2002). In Future Food. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/ff_cont3.htm

Glofish FAQ. (2003). In Glofish. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.glofish.com/faq.asp

DNA Microinjection. (2011). In Trasgenic Mouse Facility. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://www.research.uci.edu/tmf/dnaMicro.htm

Lassahn, N. (2009, June 13). How Genetically Modified Organisms are Made. In Nutririon . Retrieved May 14, 2012, from http://nicole-lassahn.suite101.com/how-are-gmos-made-a125159References

image slide 3: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/122433/Genetically-modified-organisms-are-produced-using-scientific-methods-that-includeImade slide 4:http://www.research.uci.edu/tmf/dnaMicro.htmImage slide 5:http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gmo.htm

Image slide 6:http://www.fitnraw.com/how-to-identify-genetically-modified-food/

Image slide 7:http://www.123rf.com/photo_2170378_rape-plant-and-rape-field--plant-detail.html

Image slide 10:http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/Genetically-Modified-Corn-Safe-Or-Toxic.aspx

Image slide 9:http://www.goldenrice.org/

Image slide 8:http://calorielab.com/news/categories/weight-control-in-the-military/

Image slide 11:http://frankenfish.com/main-2/genetically-engineered-fish/glofish

Image Slide 13:http://www.kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2012/02/23/7-foods-you-should-never-ever-eat/References