GMO

What is a Genetically Modified Organism?

• It involves the insertion of DNA from one organism into another OR modification of an organism’s DNA in order to achieve a desired trait.

Suntory "blue" rose

How does this differ from Mendel and his peas?

GM vs Selective Breeding

Selective breeding• Slow• Imprecise• Modification of genes that naturally occur in

the organism

GM• Very fast• Precise• Can introduce genes into an organisms that

would not naturally occur!

Genetic engineering vs agricultural breeding

• Artificial selection has influenced the genetic makeup of livestock and crops for thousands of years.

• Proponents of GM crops say GM foods are safe.

• Critics of GM foods say:– Traditional breeding uses genes from the same

species.

– Selective breeding deals with whole organisms, not just genes.

– In traditional breeding, genes come together on their own.

Agricultural breeding

Traditional breeding changes organisms through selection, while genetic engineering is more like the process of mutation.

Genetically modified organisms

Biotechnology is impacting our lives

• Biotechnology: the material application of biological science to create products derived from organisms

• Transgenic organism: an organism that contains DNA from another species –Transgenes: the genes that have moved between

organisms

GMO in Medicine

• Insulin (e.g., SemBioSys Genetics Inc- saflower)

• Clotting factors• Atryn (anticoagulant).• Banana vaccines• Cancer fighting eggs

GMO in Biofuel

Algenol Biofuels Rapeseed (i.e., canola)

GMO in Bioremediation

Enviropig i.e., “Frankenswine”

• Able to digest and process phosphate

• Poplar trees remove groundwater contaminants

GMO in Pesticides

• Kills caterpillars but not poisonous to humans

+

http://www.nature.com/cr/journal/v12/n2/full/7290120a.html

GMO in Manufacturing

• Produces silk in milk to make Biosteel

+

Bt crops

Some genetically modified foods

Roundup ready crops

Some genetically modified foods

Soybean

Ice minus strawberries

Some genetically modified foods

Golden rice

Some genetically modified foods

Some genetically modified foods

Starlink corn

Some genetically modified foods

AquAdvantage salmon

genetically modified baby

Common GM Foods

Products• Corn• Canola• Potatoes• Tomatoes• Squash• Soybeans• Flax• Cottonseed oil• Sugarbeets

Common GM Foods

Genetically Modified FoodsGenetically Modified Foods

Experts say 60% to 70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves have genetically modified ingredients.

Common GM crops:• Soybeans• Corn • Cotton

Genetically Modified FoodsGenetically Modified FoodsConsCons

• Introducing allergens and toxins to food• Accidental cross pollination • Antibiotic resistance• Creation of "super" weeds and other

environmental risks

Genetically Modified FoodsGenetically Modified FoodsProsPros

• Increased pest and disease resistance• Grow food in harsh climate • Increased food supply (more food/acre)• More nutritional value• Make drugs

Ring spot virus

GMO Controversy in Hawaii

http://hawaiiseed.org/local-issues/taro/

GMO Controversy in Hawaii

http://hawaiiseed.org/local-issues/taro/

• Undermines the genetic integrity of taro, sacred to the Hawaiian people;

• Threatens the taro market and livelihood of taro farmers. Taro production yields over 6 million pounds annually valued at $3.3 million.

• Threatens the biodiversity of the taro plant;• Could cause new, unexpected problems in taro

cultivation;• Could contaminate traditional varieties of taro and take

away taro farmers’ ability to choose what they grow in their lo’i; and

• Overlooks the wealth of traditional knowledge about growing taro that has been passed down through generations.

Inquiry

1. Provide three potential benefits and drawbacks of GMOs.

2. What benefit does golden rice provide?

3. What is a transgene?4. Which organism is most often

used in GM?

5. Dog breeds are an example of A) Artificial selectionB) Natural selectionC) Genetic modification

Inquiry