Bio Lab
Bio Lab
Bio Lab
(GMOs)
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals. GMOs are the source of genetically modified foods, and are also widely used in scientific research and to produce goods other than food
Connection to Genetics
Genetically modified organisms
The modifying of genes using horizontal gene transfer, viruses, bacteria, or a gene gun.
Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion of genes. Usually the genes that are inserted come from a different species, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. This can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason. To do this artificially may require attaching the genes to a virus or just physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene gun.
Continued
GMOs today are identified by most people as being associated with agricultural crops. They are being used to: Increase crop yield Increase profit Increase health of environment due to less pesticides being used
("Drafting a Policy Statement: GMO Technology.)
Gene Insertion
Gene Insertion is simply the inserting of a gene into an organism that it did not already have. Gene Insertion can be done by: Transformation Injection Viral Infection Bombardment with DNA ("Drafting a Policy Statement: GMO Technology.)
History
Discovery
Testing Tobacco and Tomatoes
History
Calgene Tomatoes
FDA
Sources
"How Are GMOs Made?" HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2013. <http://www.hudsonalpha.org/education/kits/gmod/gmosmade>.
Boucher, Danielle, Ben Freeman, Mathew Pritchard, Sam Nalle, Sam Rayner, Dianna Seng, and Genetics Professor Montgomery. "Drafting a Policy Statement: GMO Technology." Macalester.edu. Macalester.edu, 6 May 2003. Web. 04 Mar. 2013. <http://www.macalester.edu/~montgomery/GMOs.htm>.