Genetically Modified

Organisms (GMO)

____________10.
Contents
u Introduction
u History
u Method of Production
u Examples
u Characteristics
u Benefits
u Disadvantages
Introduction

u Genetically modified foods (GM foods or biotech

foods) are products produced from genetically
modified organisms (GMOs), specifically,
genetically modified crops.
u GMOs have had specific changes introduced into
their DNA by genetic engineering techniques.
These techniques are much more precise thatn
mutagenesis (mutation breeding)
What are genetically modified foods?

u Involves the insertion of DNA from one organism into another OR modification
of an organism’s DNA in order to achieve a desired trait.
History
u Scientists first discovered that DNA can transfer
between organisms in 1946.
u First genetically modified plant was produced in 1983,
using antibiotic-resistant plant.
u In 1994 the transgenic Flavr Savr tomato was approved
by the FDA for marketing in the US. The modification
allow the tomato to delay the ripening after picking.
u In the 1990s, recombinant chymosin was approved for
use in several countries replacing rennet in cheese-
making.
Method of production
Some ways of introducing the DNA
u Two physical barriers prevent the entry of DNA into the
nucleus, the cell and plasma.
u Delivering DNA into the cell Agrobacterium-mediated
transformation delivers the DNA specifically into the
nuclear compartment with high efficiency and also
provides a mechanism for its integration. Protoplast-
mediated transformation, the cell wall is digested with a
mixture of enzymes.
u Biolistic transformation uses fine metal particles coated
with DNA that are accelerated with helium.
u Microinjection uses silicon carbide fiver treatment,
sonication, and electroporation, cause transient micro
wounds in the cell wall that allows DNA in the medium to
enter the cytoplasm.
Transgenic Tomatoes
Examples
Characteristics
u Corn (field & sweet)
The GM version of field corn protects the crop against corn rootworms
and the Asian corn borer. Like GM field corn, GM sweet corn also protects the
crop against destructive pests.
u Soybeans
The GM soybean plant is resistant to pests and disease as well as being
tolerant of herbicides that are most effective, allowing for less herbicide use
overall.
u Cotton
GM cotton requires fewer pesticides and protects against the cotton
bollworm.
u Canola
Canola has been modified through biotechnology to make it tolerant to some
herbicides. This allows for a reduced amount of chemicals needed for weed
control. The modified plant also has resistance to pests and fungus.
u Alfalfa
The GM version of alfalfa is tolerant of some herbicides, allowing for a
reduced amount of chemicals needed for weed control.
u Sugar Beets
The GM sugar beet has increased tolerance to some herbicides, allowing for a
reduced amount of chemicals needed for weed control. GM sugar beets also
have virus and pest resistance traits.
u Papaya
The GM version of papaya makes the plant resistant to the prevalent Papaya
Ringspot Virus.
u Squash
GM squash has traits that improve the plant’s defense against viruses.
u Arctic Apple
Developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits of British Columbia, Canada, this new
fruitwas developed by turning off the enzyme in apples that cause them to
brown when cut, bruised or bitten.
u Innate Potato
This new potato that resists browning and has fewer unsightly wasteful
bruises has been approved by the USDA for commercial planting.
u Aquabounty Salmon
This new salmon is genetically engineered to reach market size more quickly
than non-GE farm-raised Atlantic salmon. It is available to consumers in
Canada.
Benefits of genetically engineering and
modifying
1. GMO crops can be tailored to provide better health benefits.
- Multiple vitamins and minerals can be built into the crops as they grown by
adjusting the genetic profile of the plant, making it possible for people to get
what they need with fewer foods and lower costs.
2. There is the possibility of an increased shelf life.
- GMO crops can be engineered to last longer once harvested, which makes it
possible to extend the distribution life of the food product.
3. It takes less land to grow more food.
-GMO crops can be engineered to produce higher yields from the same croplands.
-In some instances, the crop yields can potentially double when the transition
from traditional crops to GMO crops is completed by local farmers.
4. Genetically modified crops can conserve energy, soil, and water resources.
-That allows our food distribution networks to make less of an impact on the
environment.
-Food can be grown in areas that receive very little rainfall and have zero irrigation with
proper genetic modifications.
-Crops can be grown on fields with little soil. Because the crops have an increased
resistance to disease, weeds, and pests, there is greater consistency in the yields that
can be produced.
6. Fewer harmful agents need to be applied to crops.
-GMO crops are more resistant to pests, weeds, and other threats.
7. It can save core crops from extinction.
-Many of the foods we eat today are products of a single initial resource. Every naval
orange, for example, is essentially a clone of one original tree that was grafted to
created additional trees.
8. Farmers can use better ground-care methods.
-Because GMO crops have a greater overall tolerance, no-till farming methods become a
possibility.
9. Future GMOs could eliminate food allergies or intolerance issues.
- Current genetic engineering research is focused on removing the allergen triggers that are present in
common foods, like peanuts.
The future of food science in the world of GMOs could make it possible for people with food allergies
or intolerance issues be able to safely eat foods they love in the future.
10. GMO crops use less water.
-From 1980 to 2011, the amount of irrigation water required for fields planted with corn decreased by
53%. For cotton fields the amount of irrigation water decreased by 75%. Soybeans, rice, and potatoes
all saw decreases of at least 38%.
11. There may be a positive environmental impact with GMO crops.
-In general terms, GMO crops require fewer in-field operations and applications to maintain the
quality of the yield.
12. GMO foods must meet the same standards as traditional foods.
When compared to organic foods, Stanford University has even found that there are no additional
health risks when eating GMO foods or organic foods.
13. GMOs can even safe beneficial insects.
- When Bt proteins are used in genetic engineering, it targets a specific group of insect pests that are
dangerous to that specific crop.
Disadvantages
1. In the US, the FDA does not require GMO labeling.
GMO ingredients can be placed into food products and US shoppers wouldn’t even know it.
2. Most core foods have some level of genetic modification.
- More than 90% of these crops being grown today have some level of genetic modification.
3. There may be an increased risk of allergies or food intolerance.
- GMO foods studied in animals have found organ impacts in virtually every circumstance.
4. GMO crops can contaminate other fields.
The crops may be genetically modified, but they still grow the same way as any other
crop. Bees do much of the pollination work, which means they are exposed to the genetic
changes of the plant. Seeds are produced by these GMO crops as well in many instance.
5. Animal proteins could be affected by GMO crops.
- These crops are then fed to livestock, aquaculture, and apiculture, which impacts groceries
that are based on animal proteins.
6. Many GMO crops are trademarked, patented, and legally protected.
- Farmers that grow GMO crops may be required to sign an agreement to exclusively grow a specific
product and be asked to take steps that protect the crops being grown from contamination.
7. It encourages the use of additional herbicides.
- More than 80% of GMO crops grown around the world are created to be tolerant to herbicides.
- One of those most common herbicides being used, glyphosate, has been listed by the World Health
Organization since 2015 as being a probable carcinogenic.
8. GMOs create super weeds.
-As crops have grown more resistant to weeds, the weeds have grown stronger and more resilient to
the chemicals applied to them that try to kill them. Because of this, some farmers have resorted to
using ingredients such as 2, 4-D, which is one of the primary ingredients found in Agent Orange.
-The US Veteran’s Administration has a long list of presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange
exposure, with many of them being cancers.
9. GMOs create super bugs.
-As pesticides are applied to insects that provide a threat to crops, a few of them tend to survive the
application. Each subsequent generation becomes more resilient to the pesticide.
10. There are concerns that GMO foods may help to create antibiotic
resistance
-crops are modified to be more resilient to disease is to artificially place
antibiotic genes within the DNA of the crops. Because there is evidence to
suggest that continuing exposure to an antibiotic can lead to disease resistance.
11. Genetic engineering doesn’t solve everything.
-Atrazine is one of the most common herbicides that is applied to US croplands.
According to the National Institutes of Health, atrazine resistance has been
studied since the early 1970s.
-There are dozens of weed species that are already resistant to this herbicide,
with research studies by Bettini, Shimabukuro, and Anderson showing over three
decades that resistance is growing.
Thank you!