Herbert Boyer

and Stanley Cohen

made the first
genetically modified
organism in 1973, a
bacteria resistant to the
antibiotic kanamycin.
The first genetically
modified animal, a
mouse, was created in
1974 by Rudolf
Jaenisch, and the first
plant was produced in
1983.
• A GMO, or genetically
modified organism, is a
plant, animal,
microorganism or other
organism whose genetic
makeup has been
modified in a laboratory
using genetic
engineering or
transgenic technology.
This creates
combinations of plant,
animal, bacterial and
virus genes that do not
occur in nature or
through traditional
crossbreeding methods.
• GMOs are organisms that have had their
characteristics changed through the modification
of their DNA.

• Genetically modified (GM) organisms are

organisms that have had
their genomes? changed in a way that does not
happen naturally.

By changing an organism’s genome we can

change its characteristics.
• Any organism could be genetically modified, but
laws restrict the creation of genetically modified
humans, and the production and distribution of
other GMOs is tightly regulated.

• Common examples of GMOs are GM crops

used in agriculture and GM model
organisms used in medical research.
Genetic modification affects many of the products
we consume on a daily basis. As the number of
GMOs available for commercial use grows every
year, the Non-GMO Project works diligently to
provide the most accurate, up-to-date standards
for non-GMO verification.
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is
any organism whose genetic material has
been altered using genetic engineering
techniques.
Commercial sale of genetically
modified foods began in
1994, when Calgene first
marketed its unsuccessful
Flavr Savr delayed-ripening
tomato. Most food
modifications have primarily
focused on cash crops in high
demand by farmers such as
soybean, corn, canola, and
cotton.
Crops are genetically
modified to achieve a
desired trait, such as
resistance to an
insect or disease.
More detail on some
of the traits crops
are genetically
modified to achieve
and how they are
beneficial to farming
is included below:
Insect resistance.
• To create a GMO, we change
specific characteristics by using
lab techniques to delete or alter
particular sections of DNA?.
• We can also change an organism’s
characteristics by introducing new
pieces of DNA into their genomes.
This could be:
– DNA taken from the
same species?
– DNA taken from a different
species
– DNA made synthetically in the
lab.
• The process of creating GMOs is
called genetic modification or genetic
engineering.
• There are several techniques that can
be used to modify a genome:
– 'Agrobacterium-mediated' genetic
modification is a technique used to
introduce new DNA into a plant genome
using a modified microbe .?

– 'Gene targeting' is a technique used to

introduce new DNA into selected regions
of a genome through a process
called homologous recombination .
?

– 'Genome editing' is a technique used to

change selected regions of a genome
using enzymes designed to cut
?

specific DNA sequences .

?
• GMOs are generally made
for medical, environmental,
or commercial reasons.

– GM white mushrooms
have had a gene? that
normally causes them to
go brown altered so it no
longer functions. These
mushrooms take longer
to go brown, prolonging
their shelf-life.
– GM bacteria have
been developed that
have had a gene
for insulin added to
their genome. These
bacteria produce
large quantities of
insulin as they grow,
which is then
extracted and used
by people
with diabetes to
control their blood
sugar levels.
The Acer1 gene is
thought to be involved
in skin diseases like
psoriasis. GM mice
have been made where
the Acer1 gene no
longer functions to
study what it
normally does. These
mice have hair loss
and are less able to
control heat and water
loss from their skin.
• The genomes of organisms
change naturally over
time, for example:
– when organisms mate,
offspring get bits of
DNA from both parents
– mutations arise as a
result of mistakes when
DNA is copied
– environmental factors
like UV radiation can
create changes in DNA.
• These changes to the DNA
are not ‘genetic
modifications’ as they
happen naturally.
to France and Germany,
other European
countries that placed
bans on the cultivation
and sale of GMOs
include Austria, Hungary
, Greece, and
Luxembourg,
Switzerland. Poland has
also tried to institute a
ban, with backlash from
the European
Commission.
• In January 2005, the Hungarian government
announced a ban on importing and planting of
genetic modified maize seeds, which was
subsequently authorized by the EU.
• In February 2008 the French government used the
safeguard clause to ban the cultivation of MON810
after the chairman of a committee set up to evaluate
biotechnology, said there were "serious doubts"
about the safety of the product.
• In 2009 German Federal Minister announced an
immediate halt to cultivation and marketing of
MON810 maize under the safeguard clause.
• In January 2013, Poland's government placed a ban
on Monsanto's GM corn, MON 810. It launched a
communication campaign with farmers, announcing
they will now be strictly monitoring farms for GM
corn crops. Poland is the eighth EU member to ban
the production of GMOs.

• In March 2010, Bulgaria imposed a complete ban on

genetically modified crop growing either
commercially or for trials.
• Northern Ireland
In September 2015, Nothern Ireland announced a
ban on genetically modified crops.
• Romania
Romania grew GM soybeans in 1999, increasing
their yields by 30%, allowing them to export
excess product.
• Scotland
In August 2015, the Scottish government
announced that it would "shortly submit a
request that Scotland is excluded from any
European consents for the cultivation of GM
crops, including the variety of genetically
modified maize already approved and six other
GM crops that are awaiting authorisation."
1. Avoid processed foods
containing ingredients
from corn, soy, canola,
sugar beets, and cotton.
More than 70% of
processed foods found in
retail stores and
restaurants contain
ingredients derived from
GE corn, soybeans, canola,
and cotton. In addition,
half the sugar used in food
products comes from GM
sugar beets.
2. Look for Non-GMO Project verified products
These food products have gone through a
rigorous verification program to minimize the
risk of GMO contamination, giving you the
best assurance they are non-GMO.

3. Shop online at Thrive Market

ThriveMarket.com is a new online store that
offers up to 50% off the retail price on all your
favorite organic and non-gmo brands. It’s a
great way to avoid GM foods without breaking
the bank and they have free shipping as well.
4. Eat organic
Buying organic foods also offers assurance against
the risks of genetic engineering because GM
substances are prohibited in organic production.

5. Buy locally grown foods

There is nothing better than locally produced
fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying local supports
farmers and keeps food dollars in the community.
Another option is a community supported
agriculture (CSA) program, which you pay a
membership fee to a local farmer and receive
fresh organic produce throughout the growing
season.
6. Grow your own
Gardening is a great hobby, nourishing to the
body, mind, and soil. You can also participate
in urban agriculture projects that are sprouting
nationwide.
7. Utilize our Free Ebook
We have written an ebook titled, “13 Tips for
Buying Organic Food” which will show how to
keep your family safe from the potential perils
of GMOs. Download it for free.
 Health Hazards of GM Foods
Below are several documented
findings showing health dangers from
GM foods
 GM corn and Roundup herbicide cause
tumors and organ damage
• Rats fed Monsanto’s GM corn
NK603 and tiny amounts of
Roundup herbicide over a two-
year period—the longest ever
feeding study involving a GM
food—developed severe liver
and kidney damage, disturbance
to pituitary gland function, and
hormonal disruption. Additional
findings included increased rates
of large tumors and premature
deaths.
 GM-fed pigs suffered severe stomach
inflammation and heavier uteri
• A study found that pigs fed GM
corn and soy over 22.7 weeks
suffered more severe stomach
inflammation than pigs fed a
non-GMO diet. GM-fed females
had on average a 25% heavier
uterus than non-GM-fed
females, a possible indicator of
disease that requires further
investigation.
 GM potatoes caused damage to mice
intestines
• Mice fed a diet of GM Bt potatoes
showed abnormalities in the cells
and structures of the small
intestine, indicating mild damage
to the intestines. A control group
of mice fed non-GMO potatoes
containing a naturally occurring
Bt toxin showed no
abnormalities. The test shows
that the Bt toxin does not break
down in digestion, as GMO
proponents claim.
 GM corn toxin found in blood of
pregnant women
• A study conducted in
Canada detected significant
levels of the insecticidal Bt
corn protein, Cry1Ab,
circulating in the blood of
pregnant women and in the
blood supply to unborn
fetuses. This study again
shows that the Bt toxin does
not break down in digestion,
as GMO proponents claim.
Environmental Hazards of GM Crops
 GM crops increase pesticide use
• According to a study
published by published by
Washington State
University research
professor Charles
Benbrook, GM crops have
increased overall pesticide
use by 404 million pounds
from 1996 through 2011.
 GM crops creating “superweeds”
• The widespread use of
glyphosate herbicide used with
herbicide tolerant GM corn,
soybeans, canola, and cotton has
led to the creation of herbicide
resistant weeds, which now
infest 60 millions of acres of
farmland throughout the United
States.
• and non-GMO farmers with extra
work, longer hours, and financial
insecurity.
 GM corn harms aquatic insects
• A 2007 published study by
Indiana University
environmental science
professor found that GM
corn produced increased
mortality and reduced
growth in caddisflies, aquatic
insects that are a food
resource for higher
organisms like fish and
amphibians.
GMO contamination of organic and non-
GMO crops causes hardships for farmers
• Genetically modified
crops are passing their
transgenes to organic and
non-GMO crops and
causing farmers added
costs and hardships. The
risks and the effects of
GMO contamination have
unfairly burdened organic
Genetic modification/engineering is a
potentially dangerous technology
• One of the main problems with genetic
engineering is that the process of
inserting genes into the DNA of a food
plant is random; scientists have no idea
where the genes go. This can disrupt the
functioning of other genes and create
novel proteins that have never been in
the food supply and could create toxins
and allergens in foods.
 Genetic modification is a radical technology
• Supporters of genetic modification
say that the technology is simply an
extension of traditional plant
breeding. The reality is that genetic
engineering is radically different.
Traditional plant breeders work with
plants of the same or related species
to create new plant varieties. Genetic
engineers break down nature’s
genetic barriers by allowing transfers
of genes from bacteria, viruses, and
even animals—with unforeseen
consequences.
 Genetic modification is based on an
obsolete scientific theory
• Genetic modification is based on a
theory called the Central Dogma,
which asserts that one gene will
express one protein. However,
scientists working with the United
States National Human Genome
Research Institute discovered that
this wasn’t true, that genes
operate in a complex network in
ways that are not fully
understood. This finding
undermines the entire basis for
genetic engineering.
 What genetically modified crops are
currently approved to be grown in the
US?
• Corn
• Soybeans
• Cotton
• Canola
• Sugar beets
• Alfalfa
• Papaya
• Yellow “crook neck” squash
• Zucchini
• “Arctic” apple
• “Innate” potato
 rBGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth
Hormone)
• About 10% – 15% of cows in the
US are injected with a genetically
modified bovine growth
hormone called rBGH (rBST).
rBGH is banned in many
countries due to negative health
impacts on cows. In the US,
major food retailers and
restaurants such as Wal-Mart,
Safeway, Starbucks, and
McDonald’s only sell or serve
rBGH-free milk.
• Genetic engineering refers to the
direct manipulation of DNA to alter
an organism's characteristics
(phenotype) in a particular way.
• Genetic engineering, sometimes
called genetic modification, is the
process of altering the DNA? in an
organism’s genome?.
• This may mean changing one base
pair? (A-T or C-G), deleting a whole
region of DNA, or introducing an
additional copy of a gene?.
• It may also mean
extracting DNA from
another organism’s
genome and combining
it with the DNA of that
individual.
• Genetic engineering is
used by scientists to
enhance or modify the
characteristics of an
individual organism.
• Genetic engineering
can be applied to any
organism, from
a virus to a sheep.

• For example, genetic

engineering can be
used to produce
plants that have a
higher nutritional
value or can tolerate
exposure to
herbicides.
How does genetic engineering work?
• To help explain the process of genetic
engineering we have taken the example of
insulin, a protein that helps regulate the sugar
levels in our blood.
• Normally insulin is produced in the pancreas, but
in people with type 1 diabetes there is a problem
with insulin production.
• People with diabetes therefore have to inject
insulin to control their blood sugar levels.
• Genetic engineering has been used to produce a
type of insulin, very similar to our own, from
yeast and bacteria like E. coli.
• This genetically modified insulin, ‘Humulin’ was
licensed for human use in 1982.
 The genetic engineering process
• A small piece of circular DNA
called a plasmid is extracted from
the bacteria or yeast cell.
• A small section is then cut out of
the circular plasmid by restriction
enzymes, ‘molecular scissors’.
• The gene for human insulin is
inserted into the gap in the
plasmid. This plasmid is now
genetically modified.
• The genetically modified plasmid is
introduced into a new bacteria or
yeast cell.
• This cell then divides rapidly and
starts making insulin.
• To create large amounts of the
cells, the genetically modified
bacteria or yeast are grown in
large fermentation vessels that
contain all the nutrients they
need. The more the cells divide,
the more insulin is produced.
• When fermentation is complete,
the mixture is filtered to release
the insulin.
• The insulin is then purified and
packaged into bottles and insulin
pens for distribution to patients
with diabetes.
An illustration
showing how
genetic
modification
is used to
produce
insulin in
bacteria.
What else is genetic engineering used for?
• The first genetically
modified organism to
be created was a
bacterium, in 1973.
• In 1974, the same
techniques were
applied to mice.
• In 1994 the first
genetically modified
foods were made
available.
• Genetic engineering has a
number of useful applications,
including scientific research,
agriculture and technology.

• In plants, genetic engineering

has been applied to improve
the resilience, nutritional value
and growth rate of crops such
as potatoes, tomatoes and rice.
• In animals it has been
used to develop sheep
that produce a
therapeutic protein in
their milk that can be
used to treat cystic
fibrosis, or worms that
glow in the dark to
allow scientists to learn
more about diseases
such as Alzheimer’s.