Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

• GMOs are defined as organisms with altered DNA through genetic engineering.
• GMOs can be found in food and personal care products.
• Not all GMOs look unnatural; some appear normal.
• Certain GMOs include purple tomatoes modified for increased anthocyanins, square watermelons, and white strawberries (cross-bred variants).

Reasons for Exploring GMO Technology

• GMO technology modifies an organism's DNA to achieve specific, desired traits.
• GMOs can lead to benefits like increased food availability, improved food quality, and environmental cleanliness.

Potential Benefits of New Traits in GMOs

• Controlling pests, diseases, and adapting to certain environmental conditions.
• Reducing food spoilage.
• Inducing resistance to chemical treatments like herbicides.
• Improving the nutrient profile of crops.
• Enabling atmospheric nitrogen fixation by cereal crops.
• Inducing tolerance to high salt soils and flooding in crops.
• Inducing drought resistance in crops.
• Prolonging the shelf life and commercial value of fruits and vegetables.

Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF)

• BNF converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for crops.
• BNF is especially important for cereal crops that cannot directly use nitrogen and rely on chemical fertilizers.

Differences Between GMOs and Selective Breeding

• The key difference lies in the method and precision used.
• GMOs are created through direct DNA modification using biotechnology.
• Selective breeding enhances desired traits over generations without DNA alteration.

Genetic Modification

• Genetic modification involves isolating a gene and inserting it into a host organism's genetic sequence.

Genetic Engineering in Food Crops

• Genetic Engineering includes isolating, splicing, cloning, and inserting genes into a host.
• Modified crops expressing desired genes to mimic other plant traits.
• Specific genes from a crop's DNA can also be removed, preventing it from manifesting.
• Genetic engineering allows selective breeding for specific traits.
• Genetic engineering can take less time to carry out genetic changes.

Genetic Engineering Process Overview

• Evolves from selective breeding to gene insertion and genome editing.
• The regulatory process for GMO crops averages 16.5 years, varies 5-7 years.
• The approval process varies by country, ensuring safety for the environment, humans, and animal health.

Process for Creating a GMO

• Identify the desired trait by finding the gene that gives an organism the desired trait.
• Copy the gene from the organism that has the trait.
• Insert the gene into the DNA of another organism.
• Grow the new organism.

Cell Culture

• Growing a number of cells with modified DNA.

Vector

• Carries a DNA segment into a host cell to create a GMO.

Modifying Crop X

• Focus on identifying the gene that can give the crop a desired outcome and inserting the DNA segment into a vector.

Issues Surrounding GMOs: Safety

• The adverse impacts of genetically modified food may not be immediately evident.
• Potential human health impacts include allergens and the transfer of antibiotic resistance markers.
• Environmental impacts of GMOs include unintended transfer of genes through cross-pollination and unknown effects on other organisms, with potential loss of flora and fauna biodiversity.

Access and Intellectual Property Concerns

• Domination of world food production by a few companies.
• There is an increasing dependency on industrialized nations by developing countries.
• Includes biopiracy and foreign exploitation of natural resources.

Ethical Concerns

• Violates the intrinsic values of natural organisms.
• Concerns about tampering with nature by mixing genes among species.
• There are objections to transferring animal genes into plants and vice versa.

Labeling Regulations

• Labeling is not mandatory in some countries, such as the United States.
• Mixing GM crops with non-GM crops complicates labeling efforts.

Effectiveness Concerns

• Bt cotton has shown ineffectiveness against whitefly attacks in Punjab and Haryana, India.
• Concerns exist regarding increasing dependency on GM crops.
• Increased effectiveness has been observed in Bt cotton against pink bollworm, whitefly, jassid, and thrips.

GMOs in The Philippines

• The Philippines has been a leader in biotechnology.
• Several GMOs have been approved for commercial use.
• GMO efforts started in the 1990s with the creation of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) through Executive Order No. 430 of 1990.

GMO Labels in the Philippines

• The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides labels or tags for GMO local products.

Rosalie Ellasus

• A first-generation farmer introduced to Bt corn, a genetically modified corn resistant to the Asian corn borer, at an Integrated Pest Management event in 2001.
• Awarded the 2017 Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award and the 2016 "Filipino Faces of Biotechnology" by the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office.

Bt Corn Details

• Bt corn is genetically engineered corn that produces insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
• Bt corn combines corn and bacteria genes to kill bugs.
• Bt corn was registered as a pesticide with the EPA in 1961 and marketed in 1996.
• Varieties of Bt corn include Bt sweet corn and Bt field corn.

Safety of GM Crops (Philippines FDA)

• GM food products undergo a safety assessment based on UN FAO/WHO CODEX Alimentarius guidelines.
• All GM products meet international food safety standards.

National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP)

• Established by Executive Order No. 514 on 17 March 2006.
• Strengthens science-based biosafety determination in genetic engineering experiments.
• NCBP oversees compliance with biosafety policies and guidelines in all institutions.
• Coordinates with national bodies with regulatory powers over violations.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

• The DOST evaluates regulate GMO experiments under controlled use.
• It was established under Executive Order No. 514, issued on 17 March 2006.
• The DOST's members consist of scientists from various fields and ex-officio members from different departments.
• It published the first edition of the Philippine Biosafety Guidelines in 1991.

Distinguishing GMOs in the Market

• Companies can label products as "non-GMO" or "made with genetic engineering."
• The "Non-GMO Project Verified" label is the most common voluntary label.

PH's Recently Approved GM CROPS

• Bt Corn protects against the Asiatic Corn Borer.
• Bt Eggplant resists the Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer.
• Golden Rice contains beta-carotene that converts into Vitamin A (Retinol).

BT Corn - Asiatic Corn Borer

• It is a genetically modified corn variety.
• Engineered to resist the Asiatic Corn Borer.
• The Asiatic Corn Borer is a major Asian corn pest causing significant yield losses.
• Produces a toxic toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

BT Eggplant - Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer

• Contains natural protein from Soil Bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis.
• The Philippines is the second country after Bangladesh to permit commercial propagation of borer-resistant Bt eggplant.

Golden Rice - Beta-Carotene

• Golden Rice, now known as Malusog Rice, has been genetically modified.
• Bioengineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A.
• Called "golden" due to the increased presence of beta-carotene.
• Aims to address vitamin A deficiency, a serious health issue in developing countries.

Climate Change

• Encompasses significant alterations in global temperatures and weather patterns.
• Driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
• Climate Change increases greenhouse gas concentrations, which leads to global warming.
• Results in environmental impacts such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss.

Greenhouse Effect

• It is a natural Earth warming process.
• Greenhouse gases (GHGs) retain the Sun's heat in the atmosphere.
• GHGs maintain the necessary temperature for life development.
• Solar energy passes through the atmosphere, some is absorbed and reflected.
• GHGs retain reflected radiation, the rest goes into space.

Global Warming

• Results from a long-term increase in temperature due to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and farming increase greenhouse gases.
• High GHG levels retain more heat, damage the natural balance and increase Earth's average temperature.

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics - Current Emission Levels

• As of 2021, global emissions reached 51 billion metric tons, with CO2 being the largest contributor at 76% of total emissions.

Regional Contributions

• Asia is the largest emitter, contributing over 50% due to industrialization and energy consumption.

Trends Over Time

• Global emissions have increased by over 30% since the early 2000s.

Effects of Climate Change on the Environment

• Habitat destruction and altered ecosystems lead to species extinction, disrupting food chains and ecosystem resilience.
• Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events damage infrastructure, agriculture, and human lives.
• Rising CO2 levels cause ocean acidification, impacting marine life and livelihoods in fishing and tourism.

Human Role in CC - Fossil Fuel Consumption

• Burning fossil fuels for energy and transportation releases significant greenhouse gases, causing climate change.

Deforestation and Land Use

• Reduces CO2 absorption capacity, exacerbating climate change.

Industrial Processes

• Manufacturing, chemical production, and waste management practices release greenhouse gases.

Climate Change in the Philippines

• Majority of emissions come from energy production, agriculture, and waste management.
• The energy sector contributes 60% of total emissions, due to fossil fuel reliance.
• Projections suggest a potential 30% rise in emissions by 2030.

Vulnerabilities of the Philippines to Climate Change - Geographic Exposure

• The Philippines' archipelago structure, with over 7,000 islands, makes it highly susceptible to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, which threaten coastal communities and ecosystems.

Socioeconomic Factors

• A significant portion of the population lives in poverty, limiting access to resources and adaptive capacity, thereby increasing vulnerability to climate-related disasters and food insecurity.

Natural Disaster Frequency

• With an average of 20 typhoons a year, exacerbated by climate change, leading to loss of life, displacement, and economic disruption, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure.

Biodiversity at Risk

• Climate change poses threats to endemic species and ecosystems, impacting livelihoods dependent on natural resources and touism.

Government Commitments and Targets - National Climate Action Plan

• National Determined Contributions (INDC) under the Paris Agreement sets the target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, contingent on international support and resources.

Sustainable Development Goals

• Climate commitments align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 13.

International Cooperation

• The Philippines is actively involved in global climate forums and partnerships.

Innovative Emission Reduction Initiatives

• Initiatives like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the Renewable Energy Act in the Philippines promote sustainable energy and enhance energy efficiency.

Sustainable Practices and Their Benefits

• Renewable energy like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, enhances energy security, and creates green technology jobs.

Sustainable Agriculture Techniques

• Improves soil health and biodiversity, reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promoting healthier ecosystems and resilient food systems improving food security.

The Role of International Organizations in Climate Action

• Global Cooperation Frameworks facilitate global cooperation through bodies like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Set binding agreements like the Paris Agreement.
• Aims to unify countries in combating climate change through shared goals, financial support, and technology transfer.

Explore genetically modified organisms (GMOs), defined as organisms with altered DNA. GMO technology modifies DNA to achieve desired traits, offering benefits like increased food availability and improved food quality. Discover how GMOs can control pests, reduce spoilage, and improve nutrient profiles.