Week no.
10
MODULE 10: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Science,
Health, and Politics
1. Discuss the history of genetically modifies organisms (GMOs).
2. Discuss different implications and impact of GMOs.
3. Identify issues on GMOs.
Content:
GMO, which stands for Genetically Modified Organisms, are organisms
that have had their characteristics changed through the modification of their
DNA (Your Genome, 2017). GMO food producers genetically change organisms
in order to improve the product or obtain a competitive advantage. GMO
plants, for example, could be easier to cultivate in big quantities or produce
more fruit. GMO meat from genetically modified animals may have a different
flavor or texture.
Source: [Link]/3PTXnhd
Summary of process illustrated in the diagram (above):
• The agrobacterium cell contains a bacterial chromosome and a Tumor
inducing plasmid- "Ti Plasmid".
• The Ti plasmid is removed from the agrobacterium cell and a restriction
enzyme cleaves the T-DNA restriction site.
• Next foreign DNA, which is also cleaved by the same enzyme, is inserted
into the T DNA at the site that was cleavage site.
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• The modified plasmid is then reinserted in the agrobacterium and the
bacterium inserts the TDNA, which now carries a foreign gene into the
plant cell.
• The plant cell is then cultured and results in a new plant that has the
foreign DNA trait.
HISTORY OF GMO
For thousands of years, humans have been using traditional modification
methods like selective breeding and cross-breeding to breed plants and
animals with more desirable traits. Here is a timeline of the history of Genetic
Modification in Crops from GMO Answers (2017):
➢ 10,000 YEARS AGO – Humans begin crop domestication using
selective breeding.
➢ LATE 1800s – Farmers and scientists begin cross-breeding plants
between species.
➢ 1940s and 1950s – Breeders and researchers seek out additional
means to introduce genetic variation into the gene pool of plants.
➢ 1980s – Researchers learn to copy a gene for a desired trait from one
plant or organism and use it in another plant. The result is a GMO.
➢ 1990s – The first GMOs in agricultural are introduced to the
marketplace.
➢ 1995 – GM squash and soy beans become commercially available in the
US.
➢ 1996 – GM cotton and corn become commercially available in the US.
➢ 1997 – GM papaya becomes commercially available in the US.
➢ 1999 – GM canola becomes commercially available in the US.
➢ 2006 – GM alfalfa and sugar beets become commercially available in
the US.
➢ 2016 – GM potatoes become commercially available in the US.
➢ 2017 – GM apples become commercially available in the US.
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BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL RISKS OF GMO
Over 400 million acres of GMO agricultural exist around the world. The
United States, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Canada are the top five countries
with GMO farmlands. Alfalfa, corn, papaya, soy bean, sugar beets, and squash
are some of the GMO agricultural crops that have been certified for public
consumption and are presently on the market. Here are some the benefits and
potential risks of GMO (Serafica, Pawilen, Caslib, & Alata, 2017).
BENEFITS:
• Increase in harvest - GMO crops with pest and disease resistance
have a higher potential for growth and yield.
• Increase in food processing - GMO crops with changed traits make
food processing easier.
• Higher efficiency in farming - There will be reduced use of
herbicides/pesticides and cheaper labor and cultivation costs as a result
of the use of pesticide-resistant/herbicide-tolerant GMO crops.
• Nutritional and pharmaceutical enhancement - Maize enhanced
with lysine and Golden Rice fortified with vitamin A and iron are
examples of GMO crops.
• Control in fertility - Higher yields are ensured by regulating the purity
of hybrid seeds (GMO seeds).
• Improvement of desirable characteristics – GMOs offer longer shelf
life, enhanced color and taste, enhanced production or reduction of
enzymes, and other modified characteristics of plants, animals, and
microorganisms.
• Reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides.
POTENTIAL RISKS:
• There are inadequate studies on the effects of GMOs to humans and the
environment since genetic engineering is still new.
• Genetic engineering promotes mutation in organisms which the long-
term effect is still unknown.
• Human consumption of GMOs might have the following effects:
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o More allergic reactions – GMO food may trigger more allergic
reactions, more so create new ones, as side effects of the gene
alteration.
o Gene mutation – GMO food may develop abnormalities and
mutation, more than the desired product of the gene alteration.
o Antibiotic resistance – GMO food contains antibiotic-resistant
genes; this may cause disease-causing bacteria likely to be more
antibiotic-resistant too, increasing the possibility of widespread of
the disease.
o Nutritional value – GMO food may have change in their
nutritional value.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS CAUSED BY GMOs
Listed down below are the potential environmental risks caused by
GMOs as summarized by Karki (2006):
1. Emergence of new forms of resistance and secondary pests
and weed problems - GMO crops that are resistant to specific
pesticides may cause new types of insect resistance, whereas GMO
herbicide-tolerant crops may cause overuse of herbicides, resulting
in new types of weed resistance.
2. Risk in gene flow – Transgene transfer from a GMO to wild relatives
and/or bacteria in soil or human guts is an environmental risk.
Bacteria and fungi have the ability to capture and use genetic
material from their environment. Genes from GM material may be
transferred to other organisms, such as bacteria.
3. Recombination of virus and bacteria to produce new
pathogens - The ability of viruses or bacteria to incorporate
transgenes into their genomes, resulting in the production of
unexpected and potentially undesirable features. This could result in
the appearance of new diseases. Chicken flu and other diseases that
can be transmitted from animals to people are examples of such
issues.
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POTENTIAL RISKS TO HUMAN HEALTH CAUSED BY GMOs
The potential implications of genetic manipulation and human health, as
identified by Akhter (2001), are listed below:
• Inserted gene may have adverse effects.
• May code for proteins that are toxic to human health.
• May produce an allergic reaction.
• May cause activation of previously silent gene.
• May transfer to the other organisms.
• Consumption of GMO may alter balance of existing microorganisms in
the gut.
Assessment:
1. Research about GMO in the Philippine context.
2. Create an infographic showing the timeline of GMO, its developments
throughout the years, and its benefits and risks.
References:
Akhter, J. (2001). “Genetically Modified Foods: Health and Safety Issues.”
Research Gate. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from
[Link]
ods_Health_and_Safety_Issues.
GMO Answers. (n.d.) “How are GMOs made?” Retrieved May 23, 2022, from
[Link]
Karki, B. (2006). “Genetically Modified Organisms and Challenges.” Retrieved
May 23, 2022, from [Link]
521/Bishnu%[Link].
Serafica, J. J., Pawilen, G. T., Caslib, B. N., & Alata, E. P. (2017). Science
Technology and Society. Quezon City, NCR, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Your Genome. (n.d.) “What is a GMO?” Retrieved May 23, 2022, from
[Link]