Southwestern College of Maritime, Business and Technology, Inc.

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SUBJECT: Science, Technology, and Society MODULE #: 9

SECTION: TEACHER: Ms. Princes Jhoy G. Batanes

I. TOPIC: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

II. TARGET OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the student is expected to:
1. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health:
2. Discuss different implications and impact of GMOs.

III. MATERIALS NEEDED

To accomplish exercises and activities, you need the following: black pen, pencil and/or other writing materials and
other available references

IV. GEAR UP YOUR MIND

Rosalie Ellasus
• Former overseas Filipino worker in Singapore tuned farmer
• Attended Pest Managemnet – Farmers Field School
• Introduced to BT Corn
• Volunteered for demo-testing
• BT corn yielded 7.2 tons per acre compared to a regular yield of 4.2 tons per hectare
• No insecticide spraying was needed

Genetic engineering has been with the human society since selective breeding was introduced to humankind and
when animals were domesticated. Yet, the process of genetic alterations is all but natural.

Genetic engineering was coined (1951) by Jack Williamson (author of the science fiction novel Dragon’s Island).
This was years before research findings on the DNA’s role in heredity and its structure, the double-helix of Watson and
Crick, were published. Genetic engineering became a reality in science laboratories. The general process of genetic
engineering is the deliberate manipulation of the organism’s genes, where it may involve transfer of genes from other
organism.

Antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria was created in 1973. To date, there are ongoing researches on GMOs such as
using genetically modified male mosquitos as pest control over female mosquito carriers of Zika virus.

However, despite the many possibilities of creating solutions for problems and opening doors for innovations,
genetic engineering faces much opposition. Opponents raise ethical, social, and environmental issues related to genetic
engineering and its GMOs.

This lesson will present the existence of genetic engineering specifically GMOs in the different areas of life, the
impact to humankind, and the controversies that surround them.

Genetically Modified Organism

• Genetically modified organism (GMO) is the term used for an organism created through genetic engineering.
• “organism, either plant, animal, or microorganism, in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way
that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination” (WHO, 2014).

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 The development of GMOs was perceived to help in the advancement of technology for the benefit of humans in
different industries like agriculture and medicine.

GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries

1. Pest Resistance- genetically modified plants to resist certain pests

An example is BT Corn. The DNA (genome of the Bt Corn has been modified with the gene of Bacillus
thuringiensis, a soil bacterium that produces proteins which is toxic to corn borers (worm).

2. Virus Resistance- genetically modified plants to resist certain viruses

An example is GM papaya or rainbow papaya. The papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is known to be detrimental to
papaya plants. The protein of PRSV was introduced to the papaya plant through plant issue which turned out to be resistant
to the virus itself. The effect was like the vaccines humans have against measles or influenza virus.

3. Herbicide tolerance- genetically modified plants to tolerate herbicide.

An example is Roundup Ready soybean. Glyphosate an herbicide for weeds, was introduced to soybeans making it
tolerant to the herbicide itself. Farmers then can spray the herbicide killing the weeds but not the soybeans.

4. Fortification- genetically modified plants fortified with certain minerals.

An example is Golden Rice. Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, was introduced through biosynthesis genes to
the rice, making the rice grains fortified with vitamin A.

5. Cosmetic preservation- genetically modified plants resist natural discoloration.

An example is Arctic Apple. The apple variety was genetically modified to suppress the browning of apple due to
superficial damage.

6. Increase growth rate- a genetically modified organism that has higher yield in growth than normal species.
An example is AquaAdvantage salmon. A gene from an ocean pout, an eel-like fish was introduced to Pacific
Chinook salmon, making the salmon grow faster than its normal rate.

GMOs in Non-Food Crops Microorganism

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in non-food crops and some microorganisms involve the following:

1. Flower production- GMOs in flower production are seen in modified color and extended vase life of flowers.
Examples are Blue Roses. The so-called “blue” roses, which are, in reality, lilac or purple, contained cyaniding 3, 5-
diglucoside, together with large amounts of flavonols. The introduction of the flavonoid 31, 51-hydroxylase gene into
pelargonidin- or cyanidin- producing rose cultivars diverts the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway toward the production of
delphinidin glucosied and the flower color to blue.

2. Paper production- modified characteristics of trees for higher yield of paper production
Examples are poplar trees. Lignin is a complex polymer in trees that is removed from wood to make paper through
kraft process, through inserting genes that code for ferulic acid in young poplar trees, the lignin structure is modified, making
lignin easier to breakdown.

3. Pharmaceutical productions- modified plants to produce pharmaceutical products.

Examples are periwinkle plants. Bacterial genes were added to the periwinkle plant to ehance the production of
vinblastine, an alkaloid usually added to drugs for cancer treatments like Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

4. Bioremediation- use of modified plants that can assist in the bioremediation of polluted sites.
An example is shrub tobacco. Nicotiana glauca, or shrub tobacco genetically modified with phytochelatin TaPCSI1,
is used for bioremediation. It shows high level accumulation of zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, and boron and produces high
biomass.

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5. Enzyme and drug production- use of modified microorganisms that can produce enzymes for food processing and
medicines.
One example of this is CGTase. Cyclomaltodextrin glycosyltransferase (CDTase), an enzyme used for food flavor
enhancer, is produced in higher quantity by bacterium Bacillus which was genetically modified with the gene of a
thermophilic anaerobe, Thermoanaerobacter, carrying CGTase .

6. GMOs in the medical field- genetic engineering is playing a significant role from diagnosis to treatment of human-
dreaded diseases. It helps in the production of drugs, gene therapy, and laboratory researches.
One classic example is Humulin, the genetically engineered insulin used by Type 1 diabetes patients who are
insulin-dependent. In the past, insulin is extracted from the pancreases of pigs and cows that have caused allergic reactions
to some diabetics using it. In 1978, researches from the City of Hope National Medical Center and Genentech
Biotechnology Company were able to produce human insulin. This was a breakthrough in the mass production of human
insulin. In 1996, modified human insulin was approved, called the Humalog.

Benefits of GMO

Studies show some of the potential Benefits of GMOs:

 Higher efficiency in farming- with the use of pesticide-resistant/herbicide-tolerant GMO crops, there will be less
use for herbicides/pesticides, and lower cost for labor and cultivation.
 Increase in harvest- GMO crops resistant to pests and diseases means increase in potential growth and harvest.
 Control in fertility- controlling the purity of the hybrid seeds (GMO seeds) ensures higher yields.
 Increase in food processing- altered characteristics of GMO crops help ease food processing.
 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.
 Nutritional and pharmaceutical enhancement- GMOs crops like maize fortified with lysine and Golden Rice
fortified with vitamin A and iron. There are now edible vaccines for viral and diarrheal diseases.
 Reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides

There are over 400 million acres of GMO farmlands all over the world. The top five countries that operate GMO
farmlands are the United States, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Canada. Some of the GMO agricultural crops that have been
approved for public consumption and are already in the market include: alfalfa, corn, papaya, soya bean, sugar, beets, and
squash. Some examples of common food with GMOs are Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, Ultra Slim
Fast, Quaker Yellow Corn Meal, and Alpo Dry Pet Food.

In the animal industries, there are ongoing researches like studies on Pacific salmon that grows twice faster than
the native salmon and chicken resistant to H5N1 bird flu viruses. However, these GMO animals are all in research
laboratory and not yet approved for public consumption.

Potential Risks of GMOs

Despite the promising claims of GMOs, the opponents of GMOs claim otherwise. For example, there are studies
that show a link in the adaption of pesticide-resistant GMO crops to the significant growth of super weeds that became
pesticide-resistant too. This caused additional problem to more than 12 million acres of farms in the United States.

Opponents of GMOs have the following major concerns:

1. Since genetic engineering is still young branch of science, there are inadequate studies on the effects of GMOs to
humans and the environment
2. Genetic engineering promotes mutation in organisms which the long term effect is still unknown.
3. Human consumption of GMOs might have the following effects:

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  More allergic reactions- GMO food may trigger more allergic reactions, more so create new ones, as side
effects of the gene alteration
 Gene mutation- GMO food may develop abnormalities and mutation, more than the desired product of the
gene alteration.
 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.
 Nutritional value- GMO food may have change in their nutritional value.

Potential Environmental Risks Caused By GMOs

Karki (2006) summarized the perceived potential environmental risks caused by GMOs. The identified major risks
are the following:

1. Risk in gene flow-there is a potential risk of the modified gene to be transferred from the GMO crop to its wild
relative or organism in the soil and human intestine (when ingested). For example, a decaying GMO plant could
possibly transfer the modified genes to the bacteria and fungi in the soil. Bacteria and Fungi are capable of using a
genetic materials from their surroundings. There are no studies yet on the effects of the absorbed modified gene to
the other organisms.

2. Emergence of new forms of resistance and secondary pests and weed problems-GMO crops resistant to
certain pesticides may trigger new form of pest resistance while GMO herbicide-tolerant crops may lead to the over
use of the herbicides which may trigger new form of weed resistance.

3. Recombination of Virus and Bacteria to Produce New Pathogens- the modified gene can be transferred and
integrated in the viral or bacterial genes which may lead to viral or bacterial gene modification or mutation. This
living modified virus and bacteria may then cause new disease that may effects other organisms including human
beings .

Other direct and indirect environmental risks caused by GMOs (Molfino and Zucco,2008):

1. Direct environmental risks are:

 Introduction of the GMOs in the natural Environment may cause disruption of the natural communities through
competition or interference;

 The possibility of unexpected behaviour of the GMOs in the environment if it escapes its intended use and may
post threats or become pest;

 May cause harmful effects to eco system processes if GMOs interfere with the natural biochemical cycles;

 The persistence of GMO genes after its harvest which may cause negative impacts to the consumer of GMO
products.

2. Indirect environmental risk are:

 Alteration of agricultural practices like managing negative impacts of GMOs to the environment such as
evolution of insects , pests, and weeds that became resistant to GMO crops;

 .May have impacts to biodiversity caused by the alteration in agricultural practices

 May have varied environmental impacts due to GMOs interaction and release in the natural environment.

Potential Humans Health Risks Caused by GMOs

A major concern in the use and consumption of GMOs is its effect on human beings, primarily on human health.
Some potential human health risks are identified ( Akhter, 2001), such as:
 Consumption of GMOs many have adverse effects since it is not naturally or originally produced;
 Consumption of GMOs may alter the balance of existing microorganisms in the human digestive syestem;
 Production of toxins may be detrimental to human health; and
 Production of allergens may have adverse effects on humans.

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 Worldwide, there are many groups that campaign against GMO food consumption. They encourage people to
boycott GMO products and to be vigillant in checking if the food they buy has GMO ingredients. In the Philippines, the
Supreme Court has ruled against the use of BT eggplant, another genetically modified crop ( Ongkiko, 2016).

Other potential risks that raise major concern are;

 Human Genome Project (HGP)- Mapping of human genes to provide framework for research and studies in the
field of medicine. It was feared that the ability to produced human genetic information would create biases and give
much power to people holding the information and to the disadvantage of those who do not have the genetic
information.

 Mutation of genetically engineered microorganisms-Genetically modified bacteria and viruses may mutate to
become more resistant or virulent that may cause more dreadful disease for human beings.

 Cloning-The asexual reproduction of an organism using parent cell through genetic engineering. In February 24,
1997, the first mammal, Dolly, a sheep from Scotland, was born through cloning. With its celebrate success came
the fear of human cloning. It emerged the ethical issue of man “playing God”.

Scientists and medical practitioners would definitely continue to search for ways to preserve lives. Genetic
engineering is perceived to be one of the keys to this venture. Gene therapy and gene alteration are promising ways to
improve human health conditions.

On the other hand, great fears loom in the process of his quest. There are many things to be considered before a
certain medical process using genetic engineering is accepted.

These concerns were affirmed by the reports, of the World Health Organization. Who reported three major issues
on GMOs that are in international public debates. These are the potential risks of allergic reactions, gene transfer/flow, and
outcrossing (WHO, 2014).

The primary issue on GMOs presented in public debate is its unnatural production or what is termed to be a
violation of nature. The creation of new organisms, like GMOs, posts moral issues on defiance to natural laws. Another
concern is the potential risks to the environment and human health, to which so much is unknown yet.

Biosafety on GMOs

There are initiatives for the protection of the general human population regarding the issues and concerns about
GMOs. International organizations developed principles and treaties that somehow ensure biosafety on GMOs. Some of
these initiatives are as follow:

 The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX)- The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) together with the
World Health Organization (WHO) created The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX). Codex is an
intergovernmental body that develops the Codex Alimentarius, know us the International Food Code. Codex is
responsible for the development of standards, codes of practices, guidelines, and recommendations on food safety.
With the pressing issues and concerns on GMOs, in 2003, Codex has developed principles for the human health
risk analysis of genetically modified (GM) food products. The principles include pre-market assessments of GM food
products. However, the Codex principles has no biding effects on national legislation but through the sanitary and
phytosanitary measures of the World Trade Organization, national legislators are encouraged to complement their
national standards with the Codex Principles (WHO, 2014).
 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Established in 2003, Cartagena Protocol is an international environmental treaty
that regulates the transboundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). The Cartagena Protocol requires
exporters to seek consent from the importers before its first shipment of LMOs (WHO,2014).

 International Trade Agreement on labeling of Gm food and food products. The agreement requires exporters of Gm
food and food products to label their products and give rights to importing parties to reject or accept the GM
products. The premise of this policy is that consumers have the right to know and the freedom to choose Gm or
non-Gm products (Whitman, 2000).

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) claims that all GM products that are available in the international
market have passed safety assessment by national authorities. The safety assessments basically look at the environmental

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and health risk factors and food safety assessments basically look at the environmental and health risk factors and food
safety usually follows the Codex Food Code.

GMOs in Philippines Context

Introduction of GMOs in our country created issues and controversies similar to other countries with GMOs. There
are, of course, proponents and opponents of these issues.

The GMO concern started in the 1990s with the creation of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines
(NCBP) through Executive Order No.430 of [Link] NCBP developed the guidelines on the planned release of genetically
manipulated organisms (GMOs) and potentially harmful exotic species in 1998. In 2002, the Department of Agriculture
released Administrative Order No. 8, the guideline for the importion and release into environment of GM plants and plant
products. On that same year, the entry of GMO importation started (Baumuller, 2003). The Philippines was marked to be the
first country in Asia to approved commercial cultivation of GMos when GM corn planting was approved in 2002 (SErapio
and Dela Cruz, 2016).

From December 2002 to present, there are 70 GMO applications approved by the Department of Agriculture for the
release to the environment,62 GMOs of which are approved for the food feed and processing and the remaining 8 were
approved for propagation (Aruelo, 2016).

In 2004, the Philippines was classified by International Service for acquisition of agri-biotech applications as one of
the fourteen biotech-mega countries which grow 50,000 hectares or more of GMO crops annually (James, 2004). In that
same years, Senator Juan Flavier authored a bill on the mandatory labeling of food and food products with GMOs. The
Senate did not pass the bill.

In 2006, the Philippines became part of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. In the same year, Executive Order
No.514 was issued to establishment of the National Biosafety Frameworks (NBF).

In 2010, the Organic Agriculture Act was issued, encouraging organic agriculture than GMO-related agriculture.
Prior to this act, there are several provinces like Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental which agreed to support organic
agriculture. There was the establishment of the Negros Organic Island through a memorandum of agreement (MOA)
between the two provinces in 2005. With this Moa, the two provinces ware able to ban the Entry of GMO-related agriculture.
There was the establishment of the Negros Organic Island through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two
provinces in 2005. With thus MOA, the two provinces the Organic Argiculture Ordinance in 2010. This city ordinance helps
the prevention of field testing of GM Bt eegplant in the UP Mindanao Campus (Aruelo, 2016).

In 2012, Representative Teddy Casino, together with other congressman , filed a bill pushing for the mandatory
labeling of GM food and food products. To date, there is no Philippine biosafety law, only biosafety regulations formed
under NBF.

A study on the biosafety regulations of the Philippines concluded that the existing regulation is weak, which can be
fixed through legislation such as a republic act (Richmond, 2006).

In December 2015, the Supreme Court ordered to put an end to the field testing of GMO Bt eggplant and declared
Administrative Order No. 8, series of 2012 of the Department of Agriculture as null and void. This means that any actions or
procedures related to GMO importations and propagation is temporarily put to stop until a new administrative order is issued
in accordance with the law.

In March 7, 2016, five government agencies namely, the Department of Science and Technology, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of the Interior and
Local Government, passed a Joint Department Circular No. 1, series of 206 on rules and regulations for the research and
development, handling and use, transboundary movement, release in the environment, and management of the genetically
modifies plant and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology. This joint department circular paves way to
issuance of new permits for planting and importing GM crops in the country.

REFERENCE Janice Patricia Javier Serafica [Link]. Science, Technology and Society,

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 2018, Rex Book Store, Inc., 856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila,
pp. 133-147

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 STUDENT’S NAME: DATE SUBMITTED:

SECTION: TEACHER: Ms. Princes Jhoy G. Batanes

V. BOOST UP YOUR LEARNING

Activity

Agree or Disagree

Directions: Discuss the topic below according to your opinion. (30 pts)

Topic: “Use of genetically modified milk animals for human baby consumption“

VI. LEVEL UP YOUR LEARNING

REFLECT!

Directions: Answer the following question below.

1. In your own words, how is an organism’s genome manipulated? (10 pts.)

2. How would you reconcile the advantages and disadvantages that GMOs brings to humans? (10 pts.)
3. Will you eat GMOs? Why or why not? (10 pts.)

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