▪ At the end of this lesson, the student

should be able to.

▪ Determine the interrelatedness of
society, the environment and health.
▪ Explain the process of genetic
engineering.
▪ Discuss the ethics implications and
potential of future impacts of GMOs.
From the early times, when ancient philosophers of nature tried to explain
all things as coming from the elements of water, fire, air, earth; science
sought for the common characteristic, a unifying element in all of nature’s
many phenomena.

There was a growing awareness of how all living things are related to each
other, an idea called BIODIVERSITY.

This recognition started when naturalist began to classify organisms in the

natural world using TAXONOMY.
▪ Taxonomy is a system device by Swedish scientist Carl
Linnaeus
▪ Taxonomy is the hierarchical system of classifying and
naming organisms.
▪ It builds on the ability of the mind to find the common in the
diverse. “The one in the many”.
▪ It is a system commonly used today and shows that though
the living organisms in the world are so diverse, they still
share many traits.
▪ When several different species and genera cohabitate, there
is rich biodiversity. One of the basic laws of living is that of
self-preservation.
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the
International Year of Biodiversity. The International
Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and the
International Year of Youth.

Biological diversity, also known as biodiversity, is

the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the
natural patterns it forms. This diversity is often
understood in terms of the variety of plants, animals
and microorganisms.

About 1.75 million species are identified, mostly

small creatures, such as insects. Some scientists
believe that there are actually about 13 million
species, though estimate range from three to 100
million.
The loss of biodiversity threatens food supplies, opportunities for recreation
and tourism, and sources of food, medicines and energy. It also interferes
with essential ecological functions.

On December 20, 2006. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2010
as the International Year of by Diversity.

It designated the secretariat of the Convention on biological Diversity as the

event’s focal point.

The Assembly also invited the secretariat to work with other UN bodies,
environmental agreements and organizations to bring greater international
attention to the continued loss of biodiversity.

The International Year of Biodiversity focuses on boosting awareness of

biodiversity’s importance by promoting actions to foster biodiversity
worldwide. Various partners have committed to actively participating in or
organizing activities and projects for this year-long event.
▪ The Biodiversity International has
released a module titled “Law and
Policy of Relevance to the
management of blood genetic
resources” (Bragdon et al., 2005)
which aims to help professionals in
managing, conserving, and using
plant genetic resources for food and
agriculture.
▪ The module provides the following
definitions:
BIOTECHNOLOGY
▪ Biotechnology uses biological systems,
living organisms, or derivatives
thereof, to make or modify products or
processes for a specific use.
▪ Genetic engineering is a technique that
allows genes and DNA to be transferred
from one source to another. It leads to the
production of living modified organisms,
(LMOs) or genetically modified
organisms (GMOs).
 Modern biotechnology gives scientists
molecular tools for obtaining a better
understanding of the structure and function of
genes and living organisms.

Modern biotechnology paves the way for the

new developments on food and agriculture.
MODERN
BIOTECHNOLOGY Particularly, it aims to develop new precision
tools and diagnostics, speed up breeding
gains and efficiency, develop pest- and
disease- resistant crops, combat, salinity,
drought, and problems of agriculture;
enhanced the nutritional quality of food;
increase crop varieties and choice; reduce
inputs and production costs; and increase
profits (Bragdon et al., 2005).
The characteristic of organism and its
successor can be modified today by
modern technology, giving rise to what are
called genetically modified organisms or
GMOs (Mayr, 2001).
A GMO is a plant animal, microorganism, or
other organisms whose genetic makeup
has been modified using a recombinant
DNA methods (also called gene splicing),
gene modification or transgenic
technology.

It is the result of a laboratory process were

genes from the DNA of one species are
extracted and artificially inserted into the
genes of an unrelated plant or animal, also
called genetic engineering (GE) or genetic
modification (GM).

Because this process involves the transfer of

genes, GMOs are also known as
“transgenic” organisms.
▪ The information about the microbe and its
reproduction mechanism are contained in its gene
structure.
▪ The first step in the process is the identification of
the desired trait from another Organism.
▪ A gene containing this street is first isolated and
replicated.
▪ Next, the insertion of the trait happens.

▪ What is being transferred from one Organism to

another is not the whole gene, but only sections of
the gene that carry the particular characteristic that
will be integrated into the adult Organism. .
▪ After successful insertion, the
modified Organism should be able
to grow and replicate.
In the process of recombinant DNA technology, the needed
information for an Organism can be “borrowed” from
another.

Such a process means that a farmer can design an Organism

to have the characteristics necessary to address particular
issues.

For example, a farmer may want the crops to have less

chance of getting bruised due to rough handling.

If an Organism contained a gene that prevents bruising in

the mature fruit (employing the science of genetics) could
be found. Then this characteristic could then be used to
modify the crops through the process of recombinant gene
technology.
 As a result, some companies
that make GMOs could have the
However, because GMOs are
power to sue farmers whose GMOs, therefore, may pose a
novel lifeforms, biotechnology
fields are contaminated with serious threat to farmer freedom
companies were also able to
these organisms, even when it is and to the food security of a
obtain patents which restrict
the result of inevitable drifting country.
their use.
from neighboring fields
(Nicholson, 2014).
▪ The promise of better food that is more
resistant to spoilage, pest invasiveness,
and harsh weather condition has made
transgenic crops enticing to many
people.
▪ It is a truly debatable topic for the
people of the 21st century. Given the
promise of this technology, and yet the
fact that it’s very new.
▪ Should it be embraced as a saving
grace or it is to be feared as a possible
threat to a sustainable food supply?
The Protocol is an international agreement which aims to ensure the
safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms
resulting from modern technology that may have adverse effects on
biological diversity, taking also into accounts risk to human health.

It takes a precautionary approach by making sure that countries are

provided with the data necessary to make informed decisions
before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory.

The Philippines recognizes the technologies that can be of help for

its development. Since the Philippines is one of the biodiversity
hotspots in the world, it is helpful to know how biotechnology will
progress in the country.
Answer the questions below.
1. What are the pros and cons of genetically
modifying crops?
2. Will you eat GMOs? Why or why not?
▪ McNamara, D. J., Valverde, V. M., & Beleno, R. (2018). Science, technology, and
Society. C & E Publishing House. Quezon City.
▪ Dan Nosowitz (JUL 28, 2021). Philippines Becomes First Country to Approve GMO
‘Golden Rice’. https://modernfarmer.com/2021/07/philippines-becomes-first-
country-to-approve-gmo-golden-rice/
▪ Thorsen, S. (2010). 2010: UN International Year of Biodiversity. Pp. 97-98. Science,
technology, and Society. C & E Publishing House. Quezon City.