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English Level III: Basic Genetic Engineering (Genetically Modified Organisms)/

Workshop
Comparing GMOs and organic food and describing their characteristics.
CAMILA SALDARRIAGA VASQUEZ
ID: 471768

In this activity you are going to compare GMOs and organic food and describe their characteristics
1. What is genetic engineering?
R/ Genetic engineering, also known as genetic modification or genetic manipulation is the direct manipulation
of the genes of an organism using biotechnology to modify the genes, eliminate them or duplicate them. When
the scientists understood the structure of the genes and how the information they carried was translated into
functions or characteristics, they began to look for ways to isolate, analyze, modify and even transfer them from
one organism to another to confer a new characteristic. Precisely, that is what genetic engineering is all about, a
set of methodologies that allow the transfer of genes from one organism to another. As a consequence, genetic
engineering is used to clone DNA fragments and to express genes.

2. What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?


R/ A genetically modified organism or genetically modified organism (abbreviated GMO or GMO), also called
erroneously transgenic (a transgenic is only a class of GMOs), is an organism whose genetic material has been
altered using genetic engineering techniques. The American definition includes also the modifications made by
artificial selection, genetic engineering allows the modification of organisms through transgenesis or cisgenesis,
that is, the insertion of one or several genes in the genome. GMOs include microorganisms such as bacteria or
yeasts, plants, insects, fish and other animals. These organisms are the source of genetically modified foods, and
are widely used in scientific research to produce other goods than food. The term GMO is closely associated
with the legal technical term, modified living organism, defined in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which
regulates internationally the trade of living GMOs, especially any living organism that possesses a combination
of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnologies.

Click on the links and watch the videos about genetic engineering and GMOs. Write down all the
information you consider important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXM41a_Xiu8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHrqRRDY2HU
3. Click on the link and read about the differences between a GMO and organic, take notes.
https://sites.psu.edu/gmoliteracyproject/gmo-vocabulary/

R/ GMO describes a product that a change was made to, such as genetic modification. The USDA
describes genetically modified foods as “Foods produced from genetically modified organisms. These
species have undergone directed modification of their gene complement using such techniques as altering
the DNA, substituting genetic material by means of a virus, transplanting whole nuclei, transplanting cell
hybrids, etc.

In a very simplified sense, transgenics work like copy + paste. Once a desirable gene (that codes for a
desirable trait) is identified – and that is a feat in and of itself – scientists can copy that gene and paste it
into another plant using specialized techniques. This makes it “faster” than classical breeding because
there is no time to wait between generations, and there is no linkage drag. Transgenics accelerate what the
end product of classical breeding would be.

GMOs and Organics don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The green gene movement can be described as
the integration of GMOs and Organic practices and ideals to produce a better, safer, more environmentally
friendly agricultural production system. Aside from the USDA stipulation that GMOs can’t be used in
organic production there is no scientific reason why they can’t either.

4. Let’s find some characteristics for GMOs and organic. Based on your notes from the videos and reading,
define characteristics for both of them. Fill in the chart with those characteristics.

GMOs ORGANIC
Genetic engineering includes a set of
Possible genetic modifications that may be used biotechnological techniques, among them:
include mutation, insertion and deletion of genes.
When genetic material is inserted, it usually *DNA2 amplification
comes from another species, similar to the *DNA sequencing
horizontal transfer that occurs in nature. In order *The polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
to artificially produce this transfer, it is usually *Plasmocytosis
necessary to resort to different techniques. The *Molecular cloning
genes can be incorporated into a virus or they can *Exceptional mutation
be physically injected into the nucleus of the cell *Transgenesis
with an ultra-fine needle or with a gene gun. *Gene blockage
Other techniques take advantage of the ability of
certain organisms such as lentiviruses or some
bacteria such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens to
transfer genetic material to animals and plants.

The application of transgenesis allows the


transfer of heritable genes between species more
or less separated from each other (for example, a
gene present in fireflies can be transferred to a
bull), but also gene transfers can occur between
nearest species when Classic crisscrossing
techniques fail (such is the case of the Fortuna
potato, a variety of genetically modified potato, a
mixture of the Agria variety and the potato native
to South America Solanum bulbocastanum). The
innovative aspect of these new techniques lies in
their potential applications, immediate economic
benefits, mainly for the medical and food sectors.
The GMOs have provoked controversies, and also
an ethical reflection8 in addition to a commercial
dispute concerning the commercialization of
genetically modified organisms in the EU, and
their regulation in Europe.Within
biotechnologies, GMOs belong to an area of
research carried out after the 1990s, the purpose
of numerous investments in research and
development from both public and private
financing.

By making the manipulation in the genetic


material, it can be made inheritable or not,
depending on the process used and the genes
involved.

5. It is important for you to know that English makes comparisons in two different ways, depending on the
number of syllables. Then compare GMOs and organic food, in groups. Write 10 comparisons.
Here are some examples:

Genetically modified tomatoes are bigger than organic tomatoes.


Organic food is healthier than GMOs.
Organic food is more natural than GMOs.

6. We can also express that something or someone has the most of a particular quality within a group or of
their kind. You have to take into account the number of syllables as well, but this time it takes a different
ending. Express 10 absolute facts about GMOs and organic food.
Here are some examples:
Genetically modified tomatoes are the biggest.
Organic food is the healthiest.
Organic food is the most natural.

7. You can learn more about comparatives and superlatives at:


http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/adjectivesuper.html
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-comparatives-superlatives.php

8. You can learn more vocabulary related to renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy at:
https://quizlet.com/2202927/gmo-vocabulary-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/21928867/gmos-vocab-flash-cards/

9. Say: why is important to know about GMOs and organic food in your Psychology career.
It is important because people often feel or act in the way they are managing their lives, from the psychological
and nutritional.

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