Society

Science

Technology
 Introduction
The genetic modification of organisms is a vast
industry, and the applications of the technology are
exciting and far-reaching.
It brings new hope for medical cures, promises to
increase yields in agriculture, and has the potential to
solve the world’s pollution and resource crisis.
Organisms with artificially altered DNA are referred
to as Genetically Modified Organisms or GMO’s.
Molecular biologists have discovered methods to
change the structure of DNA in living organisms and
alter the way in which the organism develops.
However, the risks of using GMO’s have been the subject of
considerable debate in recent times. Most experts accept that,
provided GMO’s are tested carefully, the health risks to
humans should be minimal from plant products, although the
health risks from animal GMO’s are potentially more serious,
especially when the animals are for human consumption.
The potentially huge benefits to be gained from the use of
GMO’s creates enormous pressure to apply the existing
technologies. However there are many concerns, including
the environmental and socio-economic effects, and the
problems of unregulated use.
Objectives:
At the end of the topic, the readers are expected to:
1. Define Genetically Modified Organism.
2. Explain the principle behind cloning and genetic
engineering.
3. Answer frequently asked questions about GMO.
4. Give examples of GM plants and animals.
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of GMO.
Genetic engineering
 the development and application of scientific
methods, procedures, and technologies that permit
direct manipulation of genetic material in order to
alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or
population.
 also called recombinant DNA technology
 KEY CONCEPTS
GMO
 Genetically
modified organism
Genes
 basic unit of heredity in a
living organism. Genes come
from our parents. We may
inherit our physical traits and
the likelihood of getting certain
diseases and conditions from a
parent. Genes contain the data
needed to build and maintain
cells and pass genetic
information to offspring.
Organism
a form of life composed of mutually interdependent parts
that maintain various vital processes; a plant, animal,
bacteria, fungi
Vector
 a DNA molecule
that carries the
foreign genetic
material into a cell
so that the foreign
genetic material can
be copied or used
by the cell.
Plasmid
 small circular pieces of DNA
found in almost all bacteria
and in some fungi, protozoa,
plants and animals;
extrachromosomal elements
capable of independent
replication & commonly used
in plant transformation.
DNA
 a large organic molecule
that carries genetic
information in the
chromosomes making it
possible to transfer the
genetic characteristics in
all life forms.
 resembles a twisted ladder
Cloning
 technique/ process used to
produce genetically identical
copies of a biological entity.
 Dolly – the first mammal to
be cloned from the cells of
an adult animal at the Roslin
Institute in Scotland.
Steps in Cloning
1. Cloning requires a source of DNA or donor organism.
2. The DNA is cut with restriction enzyme and is ligated to a
vector.
3. The vector, usually a plasmid, previously cut with another
restriction enzyme compatible with the first enzyme used.
4. After ligation, the chimeric molecules are transformed in
competent cells and then screened for the presence of genes
of interest.
https://www.livescience.com/58079-cloning-facts.html
 Steps in Cloning

The Making
of GMOs:
Steps in
Cloning
GMO
 organisms with foreign genes
incorporated into their genome.
 a plant, animal, organism, or
other microorganism.
 contains DNA from a member
of the same species but doesn’t
occur naturally.
 living beings that have had their
genetic code changed in some
way
GMO
 Their genetic makeup has been
modified using:
 recombinant DNA methods
 gene modification
 transgenic technology
 The modification can be
transgenic, whereby the
organism contains DNA from
another species (cisgenic).
GMO
 Foreign gene may come from:
 Bacteria
 Viruses
 Insects
 Animals
 Humans
 Genes are carefully studied and
selected to achieve the goal of
improving a particular organism.
https://ag.purdue.edu/GMOs/Pages/WhatareGMOs.aspx
GMO
 exhibit different but remarkable
properties that do not occur
naturally by mating and/or natural
recombination.
 results of laboratory process
where genes from the DNA of one
species are extracted and
artificially inserted into the genes
of an unrelated plant or animal.
The Making of GMOs:
 Several organism have been
genetically modified since
the introduction of
technologies and the
discovery of the DNA.
 GMO crops were first
commercialized in 1996 and
only from countries that
planted transgenic crops to
about 11 million hectares.
Use of GMOs
1. Corn
 was first genetically modified
with the insertion of toxin
gene from the bacterium
Bacillus Thuringiensis.
 when the BT Corn was
commercialized, an increase
in the production was
realized because of its
resistance to the attack of
corn borer.
2. Cotton
 Half of the cotton grown
in the world have been
genetically modified to
resist pests and
pesticides.
 it was reported to have
had devastating results in
the Indian agriculture.
3. Jatropha
 Jatropha seed are similar to
palm oil.
 It can be used as biofuel and a
high source of protein for
livestock.
 However, planting Jatropha has
caused destruction of the
native plant.
4. Rice
 Golden rice is the
genetically modified
rice containing beta
carotene, a precursor
of vitamin A.
 Golden rice is still in
the research stage.
4. Rice
 Studies are being done
to address the pervasive
and persistent vitamin A
deficiency problem.
 Golden rice will be more
profitable to farmers by
making tungro and
bacterial leaf blight
(BLB) resistant to this
GM crop.
5. Soybeans
 GMO Soybean was
developed for health
reason.
 More than 90% of
soybean grown in the US
are genetically modified
to be herbicide resistant.
6. Sugar Beets
 Were engineered to grow
faster and to be more
resistant to weeds.
 However, a federal judge put
a halt on processing GMO
sugar beets due to failure of
USDA to present an
Environmental Impact
Statement.
7. Cassava
 a starchy plant like potato
that is consumed by many
people across the globe like
Africa.
 The first GMO cassava plant
was engineered in 1995.
8. Papaya
 The GM papaya lines were
developed to resist infection by
papaya ringspot virus (PRSV).
 It was first genetically modified
in Hawaii and introduced to the
market in 1999.
9. Banana
 One of the most popular
fruits consumed in the
world.
 Banana has been devastated
by a fungal disease.
 Scientists developed GMO
bananas to save the fruit
from disease.
10.Eggplant
 The first GM eggplant (BT
eggplant) was done in
South and Southeast Asia.
 The pest-resistant
eggplant, was developed
by the Maharasha Hybrid
Seeds Company based in
Jaina, India.
11. Tomatoes
 Many tomatoes have
been genetically
modified in US but GM
tomatoes are banned in
Europe.
 Flavr Savr is the first
commercially grown GM
tomato granted with a
license for human
consumption.
12. Apple
 Scientist are now able to
deactivate the gene for
polyphenol oxidase (PPO)
 PPO is an enzyme which
causes the browning of
apples.
13. Peas
 GM peas were created by
inserting kidney beans
genes into the peas DNA
 resulting to the production
of protein with pesticidal
ability.
14. Yellow Crookneck Squash or Zucchini
 GM zucchini are resistant to viruses.
 contain protein genes that protect against viruses.
15. Alfalfa
 GM Alfalfa was developed
to produce a crop that will
survive exposure to
glyphosate herbicide.
Impact of GMOs
 GMOs are crops with:
More nutrients
Pesticide resistant
Insect resistant
Require less input to grow
Produce more yields
Impact of GMOs
 Defined and known useful genes
when inserted into an organism
will definitely affect the growth
pattern, behavior and products of
the said organism in a short span
of time
 Saving a lot of money in
conducting researches when
compared to traditional breeding.
Impact of GMOs
 GMOs have been around for
several years and their impact are
already felt.
 Through the GM technologies,
“designer crops” can be produced.
Impact of GMOs
 Some agricultural soil are
saline.
 This condition hamper the
growth of crops because
they cannot grow well or
sometimes the crops are
unable to grow.
Impact of GMOs
 The commercialization of BT
corn is very useful to farmers
because they were able to
increase their income.
 Growing GM plants allows
the farmers to spend less
time and money for
pesticides and herbicides.
Impact of GMOs
 GMO foods now are available in
the market.
 In other parts of the world, GMOs
are considered to have health
threats.
 The downside of farming with
GMO include “creating super
weed” that have evolved a
resistant to glyphosate,
FAQ About GMOs
 Some of the FAQ about GMOs
are as follows:
1.Are GMOs safe?
2.How are GMOs produced?
3.What are the major issues that
need to be address in the
regulation of GMOs?
4.Which types / varieties of
GMOs are already applied in
ASEAN countries?
1.Indicate the genes inserted in the genetically
modified crops listed in the table.
GM Crop Inserted Gene
a. Banana
b. Corn
c. Cotton
d. Rice
e. Soybean
f. Papaya
g. Apple
h. Eggplant
i. Sugar Beets
j. Alfalfa
2.List down five examples of genetically modified
plants and their improved characteristics.
3.Do you agree that eating genetically modified fruits
and vegetables are safe? Justify your answer.
4.Summarize the basics steps in gene cloning.
5.What is your own personal perception and
understanding of GMO? Summarize your answer.