GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM PDF

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LAWAS, JESSIE LOU D.

NSA 2BN

STS 101

DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: 1.Genetically Modified organism Genetically Modified Organisms or GMO is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The exact definition of a genetically modified organism and what constitutes genetic engineering varies, with the most common being an organism altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. A wide variety of organisms have been genetically modified (GM), from animals to plants and microorganisms. Genes have been transferred within the same species, across species (creating transgenic organisms), and even across kingdoms. New genes can be introduced, or endogenous genes can be enhanced, altered, or knocked out. 2.What are the advantages and disadvantages of using GMO. ADVANTAGES:      

It allows for more profit. It introduces the knowledge of genetic alterations. It is economically efficient. It is known to decrease food prices. It adds more nutritional value to crops. Its products are found to be safe.

DISADVANTAGES:       

It can be dangerous to other insects that are important to our ecosystem. It sparks concerns on changing the field of agriculture. It can damage the environment. It causes unwanted residual effects. It can create more weeds. It threatens crop diversity. It has trade issues.

3. How safe are GMO's? Different GM organisms include different genes inserted in different ways. This means that individual GM foods and their safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods. GM foods currently available on the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. Continuous application of safety assessments based on the Codex Alimentarius principles and, where appropriate, adequate post market monitoring, should form the basis for ensuring the safety of GM foods.

LAWAS, JESSIE LOU D.

NSA 2BN

STS 101

4. Is GMO labelling necessary? Give an example of countries who labelled their GMO products. For me, GMO labelling is necessary because it is good for consumers because it will help them be fully informed and less confused when they consider buying GMO products. It is also better for the world, which can benefit from increased understanding and use of genetic engineering technology. Technology that is already being developed to help us tackle problems like starvation, disease, and climate change. GMO labelling will strip away the mystery and the confusion dominating the conversation will dissipate. Most of the countries in the EU region, Australia and New Zealand implement mandatory labeling with up to 1% labeling threshold of GMO content. Some Asian countries, Brazil, South Africa and Ukraine also implement mandatory food labeling on many of their GE foods but with higher threshold for GMO content. Many Asian and Latin American countries as well as some African countries have their labeling law on some GE foods but with numerous exception. They also do not implement a labeling threshold on GMO content. 5. Trace the history of GMO        

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Circa 8000 BCE Humans use traditional modification methods like selective breeding and cross-breeding to breed plants and animals with more desirable traits. 1866 Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, breeds two different types of peas and identifies the basic process of genetics. 1922 The first hybrid corn is produced and sold commercially. 1940 Plant breeders learn to use radiation or chemicals to randomly change an organism’s DNA. 1953 Building on the discoveries of chemist Rosalind Franklin, scientists James Watson and Francis Crick identify the structure of DNA. 1973 Biochemists Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen develop genetic engineering by inserting DNA from one bacteria into another. 1982 FDA approves the first consumer GMO product developed through genetic engineering: human insulin to treat diabetes. 1986 The federal government establishes the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology. This policy describes how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) work together to regulate the safety of GMOs. 1992 FDA policy states that foods from GMO plants must meet the same requirements, including the same safety standards, as foods derived from traditionally bred plants. 1994 The first GMO produce created through genetic engineering—a GMO tomato— becomes available for sale after studies evaluated by federal agencies proved it to be as safe as traditionally bred tomatoes.

LAWAS, JESSIE LOU D.

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NSA 2BN

STS 101

1990 The first wave of GMO produce created through genetic engineering becomes available to consumers: summer squash, soybeans, cotton, corn, papayas, tomatoes, potatoes, and canola. Not all are still available for sale. 2003 The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations develop international guidelines and standards to determine the safety of GMO foods. 2005 GMO alfalfa and sugar beets are available for sale in the United States. 2015 FDA approves an application for the first genetic modification in an animal for use as a food, a genetically engineered salmon. 2016 Congress passes a law requiring labeling for some foods produced through genetic engineering and uses the term “bioengineered,” which will start to appear on some foods. 2017 GMO apples are available for sale in the U.S. 2019 FDA completes consultation on first food from a genome edited plant.

6. In agriculture, State the current use of Genetically Modified organisms. Give an example of GMO's resulting from agricultural biotechnology. Agricultural plants are one of the most frequently cited examples of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world's growing population. Advances have also been made in developing crops that mature faster and tolerate aluminum, boron, salt, drought, frost, and other environmental stressors, allowing plants to grow in conditions where they might not otherwise flourish. Other applications include the production of nonprotein (bioplastic) or nonindustrial (ornamental plant) products. A number of animals have also been genetically engineered to increase yield and decrease susceptibility to disease. For example, salmon have been engineered to grow larger and mature faster. and cattle have been enhanced to exhibit resistance to mad cow disease.

EXAMPLES OF GMOs RESULTING FROM AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY:

LAWAS, JESSIE LOU D.

NSA 2BN

STS 101

7. What is BT corn? Discuss the unintended impacts on other species.

LAWAS, JESSIE LOU D.

NSA 2BN

STS 101

BT corn, a genetically modified organism (GMO), has been both the poster-child and thorn-in-the-side of the plant biotechnology industry from the late 1990’s to present. There are several versions of this transgenic crop that each have a gene from an insect pathogen, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), which encodes a protein toxic to the European corn borer (ECB), an insect pest that eats and destroys corn stems. BT corn has proven effective in reducing crop damage due to ECB, yet public opposition to BT corn has escalated amid fears of human health and environmental risks associated with the production and consumption of BT corn. IMPACTS OF BT CORN TO OTHER SPECIES:   

Genes from BT can be inserted into crop plants to make them capable of producing an insecticidal toxin and therefore resistant to certain pests. There are no known adverse human health effects associated with Bt corn. BT corn can adversely affect non-target insects if they are closely related to the target pest, as is the case with Monarch butterfly. These adverse effects are considered minor, relative to those associated with the alternative of blanket insecticide applications.

8.What are the benefits of GMO Corn? 

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Because they require fewer pesticides, land and water, GMOs help keep food production costs down resulting in lower prices for consumers. GM technology helps reduce the price of crops used for food, such as corn, soybeans and sugar beets by as much as 1530%. GMO corn had 59.6 per cent fewer damaged ears from insect attacks, which is likely the reason for the decreased infection levels. Since mycotoxins are toxic and carcinogenic, the study concluded: “The lower mycotoxin content in (GMO) maize grain can help to minimize the exposure of humans to health hazardous toxins through the diet.

9. Describe the following products of GMO a. BT eggplant BT stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a common soil bacterium that contains a gene which produces a protein harmful to FSB. Scientists have incorporated this gene to eggplant to confer insect resistance. The genetically modified brinjal is a suite of transgenic brinjals created by inserting a crystal protein gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into the genome of various brinjal cultivars.

b. Enlarged hyperoxic dragonflies

LAWAS, JESSIE LOU D.

NSA 2BN

STS 101

Biologists have grown super-size dragonflies that are 15 percent larger than normal by raising the insects, from start to finish, in chambers emulating Earth's oxygen conditions 300 million years ago. Hyperoxic chamber spawned dragonflies with 15 percent larger bodies and 4-inch wingspans. c. Ruppy Ruppy (short for Ruby Puppy) is the world's first transgenic dog. A cloned beagle, Ruppy and four other beagles produce a fluorescent protein that glows red upon excitation with ultraviolet light. d. The spider goat A spider goat produced a spider protein into their milk and then purify the protein from the milk and spin it into fibers. One spider gene has been stirred into the goat DNA. This gene is programmed to activate only within the female's mammary glands, and only when she's lactating. Even then, the goats produce seemingly normal, drinkable milk. This is fairly routine technology, and it's done without messing up the goats e. Bionic cat Oscar is an all black cat owned by Kate Allan and Mike Nolan who lives on the Channel Island of Jersey. In 2009 Oscar had both hind paws severed by a combine harvester. Since then he has undergone a pioneering operation to add prosthetic feet. The treatment has since been considered for use with humans.

d. GPS-implanted rhino horns The chips are inserted into a small hole drilled into the dead portion of the horn. Currently being tested in Mafikeng Game Reserve, the devices are connected to a cell phone system that allows game wardens to monitor the animals constantly and remotely. Different alarms can also be programmed into the device, sending alerts if the rhino begins running, if it leaves the reserve, or if it sleeps for an abnormally long time. If such an alarm goes off, park employees can track the rhino with GPS and find it quickly. There are plans to tag more animals in other nearby parks in the next few weeks....