Applications of Genetic Engineering

Ms. Glasgow

Adapted from Byrum, Thompson, Sauer

Transgenic Tobacco

Has glowing gene from firefly

Transgenic Organisms

• Transgenic Organism: an organism that has genes from another species.– They may also be called Genetically

Modified Organisms (GMOs).

• Biotechnology: the genetic manipulation of living organisms to produce useful commercial products.

Transgenic Organisms are Used in:

1. INDUSTRY2. MEDICINE3. AGRICULTURE

TRANSGENIC BACTERIAINDUSTRIAL USES

-Break down oil from an oil spillMEDICINAL USES

-Produce hormones such as growth hormone, insulin, and clotting factor cheaply and quickly. -Help treat human diseases. (ie. diabetes)

AGRICULTURAL USES-Increase rate of nitrogen fixation in the soil

TRANSGENIC PLANTS

• Can be designed to:-grow faster-produce more fruit-be more disease resistant-be more pest resistant-be more drought or freeze resistant-have more vitamins to help nourish

people in poverty.

GM CropsGMOs are already extremely prevalent in the agriculture industry.

GM soy, corn, cotton, and colza represent more than 99% of commercial crops in the United States.

(Le Curieux-Belfond, 2009).

TRANSGENIC ANIMALS

• Can be designed to:-grow faster -grow bigger / with leaner meat-be resistant to bacterial infections-produce human proteins in their milk-study human diseases

Transgenic Salmon

GM = Genetically Modifiedvideo

What are the risks of Genetically Modified Organisms?

Could GM plants cause more allergy problems?

Unforeseen human health risksReduced genetic diversity in field

cropsLarge scale decimation of crops by

diseaseCould contaminate wild relativesNutritional value could decrease

The GMO Debate: It’s a Global Issue

Should GM foods be labeled?