Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Document

# Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) ## Introduction Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer to crops created using genetic engineering, a precise and advanced method of plant breeding. It enables scientists to identify a desirable trait in nature and either transfer it from one organism to...

# Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) ## Introduction Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer to crops created using genetic engineering, a precise and advanced method of plant breeding. It enables scientists to identify a desirable trait in nature and either transfer it from one organism to another or modify an existing trait in a plant they aim to enhance. Commonly introduced traits include resistance to pests and diseases, as well as herbicide tolerance, which helps farmers manage weeds more effectively. GMO crops were developed to address several agricultural challenges: * **Insect Resistance:** To protect crops from pests throughout the growing season, reduce pesticide use, and lower production costs. * **Drought Tolerance:** To help crops retain water and survive drought conditions with minimal irrigation. * **Herbicide Tolerance:** To help farmers manage weeds by applying herbicides selectively. * **Disease Resistance:** To help plants withstand specific diseases, such as the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). ## Roundup-Ready Soybeans One of the most GMO crops is roundup soybeans, which is the trademarked name for a patented line of genetically engineered crop seeds designed to resist glyphosate-based herbicides. Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, was first identified as an herbicide used as pre-emergent and post-emergent, which means it kills weeds and crops. If glyphosate is used on normal soybeans, it will kill both, but if it is used on genetically modified soybeans, it will kill weeds only. ### Genetic Engineering The image shows two soybeans, one is labeled "Roundup ready soyabeans" and the other is labeled "Genetic Engineering." The difference between the two is the introduction of the gene that makes the soybean resistant to glyphosate. ### Mechanism of Action As mentioned before, roundup and other herbicides based on glyphosate are applied to kill weeds and plants also due to its broad-spectrum. Glyphosate-based herbicides work by targeting an enzyme called enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate EPSP synthase, which is crucial for soybean growth. When this enzyme is blocked, soybeans cannot produce the proteins they need to survive, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die over a period of days or weeks. Roundup Ready soybeans contain a gene that produces a glyphosate-resistant version of the EPSP synthase enzyme, derived from the bacterium *Agrobacterium sp*. strain CP4. When this gene is integrated into the plant's genome, it allows the plant to produce the CP4 EPSP synthase enzyme, making the soybeans resistant to glyphosate. These "Roundup Ready" soybeans were specifically engineered to survive glyphosate application. By 2018, the majority of soybean crops in the U.S. were glyphosate-resistant, about 94% of soybeans. This innovation allows farmers to eliminate weeds while protecting their crops, simplifying weed management, and improving efficiency. ## Benefits and Controversies ### Benefits * **Targets weeds while leaving crops unharmed, ensuring effective removal without harming valuable plants.** * **Ease of use:** Available as ready-to-use sprays or concentrated solutions, offering flexibility for users. * **Works quickly, showing results within hours or days.** * **Cost-effectiveness:** More efficient than manual or mechanical weed removal, suitable for large areas. ### Controversies #### Potential Health Risks of Roundup 1. **Cancer:** Glyphosate is classified as a probable carcinogen by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer. 2. **Hormone Disruption:** May interfere with hormonal functions, causing reproductive and developmental issues. 3. **Respiratory Problems:** Inhaling Roundup can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, causing coughing or breathing difficulties. 4. **Skin Irritation:** Direct contact may lead to redness, itching, and rashes. #### Environmental Concerns 1. **Biodiversity Loss:** Glyphosate can harm non-target plants, reducing biodiversity and disrupting ecosystems. 2. **Soil and Water Contamination:** Glyphosate persists in the environment, potentially accumulating in the food chain. 3. **Harm to Pollinators:** Evidence suggests it may negatively affect bees and butterflies, crucial for pollination. ## Alternatives to Roundup Concerns about the environmental and health effects of Roundup have led farmers and gardeners to explore other weed control methods. Some effective alternatives include: 1. **Mulching:** Covering soil with organic materials like straw, wood chips preventing weed seeds from sprouting. 2. **Manual Weeding:** Hand-pulling weeds offers precise control without herbicides, though it can be labor-intensive. ## Process of Creating Roundup Ready Crops 1. **Discovery of Glyphosate-Resistant Enzyme:** Researchers identified a version of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSP synthase) from the soil bacterium *Agrobacterium sp*. strain CP4. This enzyme is resistant to glyphosate, enabling plants to survive herbicide application and this is mentioned previously. 2. **Gene Isolation and Preparation:** The gene responsible for producing the glyphosate-resistant CP4 EPSP synthase is extracted and prepared for introduction into plant cells. 3. **Gene Transfer Methods:** * **Gene Gun Technique:** Tiny pellets made of gold or tungsten are coated with the CP4 EPSP synthase gene. These pellets are propelled into plant cells, where the gene can integrate into the plant's chromosomes. * **Agrobacterium Method:** A harmless strain of *Agrobacterium tumefaciens* is engineered to carry the CP4 EPSP synthase gene. When the bacterium interacts with plant cells, it transfers the gene into the plant's DNA under controlled laboratory conditions. 4. **Tissue Culture Development:** Transformed cells are grown in nutrient-enriched media under controlled conditions to regenerate whole plants capable of producing seeds. 5. **Selection of Transformed Plants:** Since only a small number of cells successfully integrate the gene, specific markers or screening methods are used to identify plants with the glyphosate-resistant trait. 6. **Testing and Field Trials:*** No adverse effect occurs on plant growth * The gene is stably inherited across generations. ## Glyphosate, Roundup, and the Regulatory Assessment Firstly, The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has outlined the plan for assessing glyphosate's safety. Several key entities are involved in the EU's evaluation and approval process: * **The Glyphosate Renewal Group (GRG), representing applicants, includes eight companies such as Bayer/Monsanto, which are engaged in manufacturing or selling glyphosate, along with other stakeholders.** * **The EFSA evaluates the risks associated with glyphosate exposure to humans, animals, and the environment.** * **The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) examines glyphosate's hazards, assessing its potential for carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and specific organ toxicity.** * **EU Member States, through their relevant authorities, contribute to the assessment process and participate in voting during the approval phase.** ### Assessment Procedure * **Application Submission:** Applicants (the Glyphosate Renewal Group) submit a dossier to Rapporteur Member States (RMS) with studies from both applicants and public literature. * **Initial Assessment:** RMS reviews the dossier and produces a report for the EFSA and ECHA. These bodies then assess the data and publish draft reports for public consultation. * **Public Consultation and Revision:** Comments from the consultation are addressed, and the RMS updates its report for the ECHA to classify glyphosate. * **Additional Data and Updates:** Further data may be requested from the applicants. The RMS then prepares a revised draft for EFSA peer review with Member States' input. * **EFSA Review and Recommendations:** EFSA consolidates the information and provides conclusions to the European Commission, alongside ECHA's classification. * **Draft Renewal Report:** The EU Commission prepares a draft report and consults Member States and applicants. * **Decision and Member State Responsibilities:** Member States vote on the Commission's proposal for glyphosate approval. Once approved, Member States evaluate the safety of glyphosate-based products for national use. * **Verification of Safety:** The European Court of Justice requires applicants to prove that glyphosate products pose no immediate or long-term harm, and Member States must verify these safety claims. Reviews are conducted within set timelines ## Failure of Assessment * **Failure to distinguish between glyphosate and Roundup.** * **Industry-regulator "revolving doors."** * **Heavy reliance on unpublished industry data while ignoring independent studies.** * **Covert industry influence.** ## Environmental and Health Impact ### Environmental Impact 1. **Soil and Water Contamination:** * Glyphosate and its degradation AMPA accumulate in soils, especially clay, persisting for over a year. * Detected in air, rain, and water sources; persistent in seawater and found in drinking water and plant products. * Contributes to nutrient pollution by releasing phosphorus into agricultural waterways. 2. **Soil Health:** * Negatively affects soil microorganisms, reducing plant growth and resilience against root pathogens. * Repeated applications harm earthworm populations, impacting soil fertility. * Disrupts soil ecosystems, including filamentous fungi. 3. **Superweeds:** Overuse of Roundup has led to resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth, which damage farmland and equipment, forcing some land abandonment. ### Health Impact 1. **Toxicity and Carcinogenicity:** * Studies indicate kidney damage, tumors, and chromosomal/DNA damage in animals and humans. * Associations with endocrine disruption and oxidative stress. * IARC links glyphosate to non-Hodgkin lymphoma in humans. 2. **Reproductive and Developmental Effects:** * Reduced fertility in male rats at low doses; similar effects observed in cattle ovary cultures. * Pre-term births linked to high glyphosate levels during pregnancy. 3. **Chronic Illnesses:** * Correlation between glyphosate use and chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, and autism. * Glyphosate residues have increased significantly in human urine since 1993. 4. **Toxicity in Formulations:** * Glyphosate formulations containing heavy metals and surfactants are more toxic than glyphosate alone. * Toxic effects observed in human and animal cell lines. 5. **Food Contamination:** * Residues found in non-GM foods, especially grains and pulses, due to pre-harvest spraying. * Organic foods show lower glyphosate levels. ## Implications The overuse of glyphosate and Roundup has raised concerns about environmental degradation, resistance development, and health risks. These findings suggest the need for regulatory scrutiny, reduced use, and alternatives for sustainable agriculture. ## Conclusion The development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly Roundup Ready crops like soybeans, has transformed agricultural practices by providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution for weed control. The introduction of herbicide-tolerant crops, specifically engineered to survive glyphosate application, has enabled farmers to manage weeds without damaging their crops, leading to increased crop yields and reduced labor costs. However, the widespread use of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, has sparked significant concerns regarding its environmental and health impacts. Health risks associated with glyphosate, including its potential carcinogenicity, hormone-disrupting effects, and links to chronic illnesses, highlight the need for more stringent safety assessments and regulatory oversight. While regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have been evaluating glyphosate's safety, studies continue to show possible links between its use and serious health conditions, including cancer and reproductive issues. Additionally, the environmental consequences of glyphosate usage are concerning. Its persistence in soils, potential to contaminate water sources, and negative effects on non-target organisms, such as pollinators, raise alarms about the long-term sustainability of such herbicides in agriculture. Furthermore, the emergence of herbicide-resistant "superweeds" due to overuse of glyphosate poses a significant challenge, increasing the dependence on chemical solutions and exacerbating the environmental impact. In light of these issues, it is clear that the over-reliance on glyphosate and Roundup is unsustainable. There is an urgent need for agricultural systems to reduce dependence on harmful chemicals and seek alternative, more sustainable methods of weed control. Practices such as organic farming, crop rotation, and the use of non-chemical herbicides must be explored as viable alternatives to mitigate the adverse effects on both human health and the environment. A shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices, which prioritize both innovation and ecological responsibility, is necessary to ensure the future of food security while protecting the planet. ## References 1. What Are Genetically Modified Organisms? | GMO Examples | GMO Answers 2. Molecular basis for the herbicide resistance of Roundup Ready crops - PMC 3. How Does the Herbicide Glyphosate(Roundup) Work? - HowStuffWorks 4. Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Techniques and Applications - 0.710 - Extension 5. Glyphosate, Roundup and the Failures of Regulatory Assessment - PMC