Introduction to GMOs and Biotechnology

An organism whose genetic makeup has been intentionally changed.

The use of living organisms or their products in industrial or manufacturing processes, often to create GMOs.

An organism that has had genes from another organism inserted into its genome.

A technique for precisely changing an organism's or cell's DNA sequence.

DNA from a different organism introduced into a target organism.

Techniques used to manipulate and modify DNA outside a living organism.

GMOs can improve crop yields, create pest resistance, and enhance nutritional value in agricultural settings.

GMOs can improve growth rates and disease resistance in aquaculture/fisheries.

GMOs can improve food processing and storage in some cases, but this is one of the less frequent uses.

GMOs are employed to produce medicinal proteins, for example, or to model human diseases to develop treatments and vaccines.

An integrated approach to coastal areas that combines knowledge from social and ecological sciences to achieve sustainable development.

Reaching agreement on the best course of action for coastal regions by merging logical and intuitive analysis, combining historical data and big data, and avoiding unproductive disputes.

The ability of coastal ecosystems to recover from disturbances, which should be a basis for adaptation strategies.

Strategies to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on coastal areas by integrating natural processes and timely interventions near tipping points.

Important factors to take into account when evaluating the sustainability of coastal management and the difficulty of precisely measuring nature's ability to recover.

Areas with restrictions that promote biodiversity and resilience, aiming to sustain natural assets that are difficult to value commercially.

Managing risks in coastal zones by accurately evaluating the limits of our knowledge about the system and its responses.

Strategies developed to anticipate and mitigate challenges, thus predicting the effects of long-term issues (such as climate change), especially during times of economic hardship.

Negative effects of fish farming on the environment, communities, and human health.

Catching more fish than can be replenished by natural reproduction.

The transmission of illnesses and parasites among fish in aquaculture farms.

Unintentional introduction of non-native species into natural ecosystems.

Release of harmful chemicals from aquaculture farms into the environment.

Loss of natural habitats due to aquaculture farm construction.

Removal of predators who feed on farmed species.

A fish's position in the food chain.

Areas with fragile ecosystems, like mangroves and estuaries impacted more by aquaculture.

Aquaculture system with no barriers between the farm and the environment.

Fish farming system that contains all inputs and outputs within the farm.

The effects of aquaculture on local communities, including traditional livelihoods and displacement.

Unfair treatment of workers in aquaculture, often export-driven.

Public doubts about the safety of genetically modified (GM) fish for consumption.

Genetically modified rice that produces beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor, to help prevent vitamin A deficiency.

Tobacco plants engineered to produce a protein that triggers an immune response - like a vaccine.

Genetically modified fish that grow much faster.

Changing traits in flowers, like color, shape, or flowering time, using genetic engineering.

Modifying trees to make their lignin more digestible, thus improving paper production efficiency.

Using GMOs to break down harmful pollutants like PCBs and PAHs.

Bt corn produces a protein to control pests, but it can harm non-target species like the monarch butterfly.

A shared objective to maintain and improve coastal environments, considering environmental, social, and economic factors.

Current coastal state characterized by uncertainties, biased decisions, and potential for unsustainable development.

Large, often implicit uncertainties inherent in coastal systems, potentially affecting decision-making in an unsustainably biased method.

Analyses based on limited ethical perspectives and conflicting interests, hindering sustainable development.

Lack of cooperation among stakeholders due to social inertia, conflicting expert opinions, or a lack of clear and shared goals.

Compromises driven by personal interests or perceived threats, often resulting in inefficient adaptation strategies.

Inability to make crucial decisions due to overwhelming uncertainties and pessimism.

Widespread and far-reaching adjustments needed to establish a stronger foundation for coastal sustainability.

Integration of ethical considerations into decision-making processes and interventions within coastal systems.

Quantifying and clarifying inherent uncertainties in coastal systems using larger datasets and improved knowledge.

Strengthening trust in findings and projections through cross-disciplinary analyses using balanced ethics.

Decisions made in anticipation of future changes using available forecasts and projections to help with the adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Cooperation among stakeholders based on mutual optimism and trust in the co-designed interventions and criteria.

Common moral principles guiding information and decision processes, ensuring responsible and equitable outcomes.

Clear articulation of uncertainties and potential errors in data and projections.

Clear differentiation between factual information and opinions, crucial for well-informed decision-making.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) seeds can be expensive due to high creation and testing costs.

Introducing GMOs into the environment may disrupt natural communities.

Genetic modifications may cause mutations in organisms, with unknown long-term effects.

Genetic recombination and mutations in GMOs potentially create new, harmful pathogens.

GMOs, not being naturally occurring, raise concerns about new toxins, allergens, and digestive issues.

GMO technology could enable the creation of biological weapons by altering the characteristics of pathogens.

An international agreement on biosafety for genetically engineered organisms.

The safe transfer of GMOs across borders, requires specific procedures under the Cartagena Protocol.

The protocol standardizes methods for assessing the potential risks posed by the release of GMOs.

Governmental approval necessary for GMO research projects, ensuring safety.