GE102-9 GMO PDF

- **This was coined in 1951 by Jack Williamson. He is the author of "*Dragon's Island",* a science fiction novel.** - **Genetic engineering is the deliberate manipulation of the genes of an organism, involving gene transfer from an organism to other organisms.** - **The basic goa...

- **This was coined in 1951 by Jack Williamson. He is the author of "*Dragon's Island",* a science fiction novel.** - **Genetic engineering is the deliberate manipulation of the genes of an organism, involving gene transfer from an organism to other organisms.** - **The basic goal of biotechnology is to provide the means to fee the world's hungry.** - **GMO refers to an organism that is created by means of genetic engineering.** - **A GMO is an organism, either plant, animal or microorganism, which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination (WHO, 2014)** - **United States** - **Brazil** - **Argentina** - **India** - **Canada** - **The Philippines is the first country in Asia to approve commercial cultivation of GMOs by approving genetically modified corn planting in 2002.** - **Former Senator Juan Flavier authored a bill on the mandatory labelling of food and food products with GMOs, but the Senate DID NOT pass the bill.** 1. **PEST RESISTANCE** - **Genetically modified plants to resist certain pests.** - **For instance, the Bt corn. The DNA of the Bt corn has been modified with the gene of Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium that produces a protein that is toxic to corn borers (worms).** 2. **VIRUS RESISTANCE** - **Genetically Modified plants that resist certain viruses** - **For example, the GM Papaya or Rainbow Papaya. The Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV) is harmful to papaya plants. Researchers introduced the Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV) to the papaya plant tissue, making it to be resistant to the virus itself. This is similar to the effect of vaccination to humans.** 3. **HERBICIDE TOLERANCE** - **Genetically modified plants to tolerate herbicides.** - **E.g. Roundup Ready Soybean. An herbicide for weeds, the glyphosphate was introduced to soybeans, making it tolerant to the herbicide.** 4. **FORTIFICATION** - **Genetically modified plants were fortified with certain minerals.** - **E.g. Golden Rice -- fortified with Vitamin A and iron.** 5. **COSMETIC PRESERVATION** - **Genetically modified organisms with improvement of desirable characteristics** - **E.g. Arctic Apple -- the apple was genetically modified to suppress superficial damage or browning of the apple.** 6. **INCREASE GROWTH RATE** - **The genetically modified organism has higher yield in growth than the normal species.** - **E.g. Aquadvantage Salmon** 1. **FLOWER PRODUCTION** - **Modification of colours and extended vase life of flowers.** - **E.g. Blue Roses -- the addition of flavonoid, and other elements that change the colour of the flower.** 2. **PAPER PRODUCTION** - **Modification of the characteristics of trees for higher yield of paper production.** - **E.g. poplar trees.** 3. **PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTIONS** - **Modified plants that can be used in pharmaceutical products.** - **E.g. Periwinkle plants. Genes of bacteria were added to the periwinkle plant to boost the production of vinblastine. Vinblastine is an alkaloid that is usually added to drugs used for cancer treatments.** 4. **BIOREMEDIATION** - **Modified plants that can help in reversing damage of polluted sites.** - **E.g. Shrub tobacco or *Nicotiana glauca.* This plant shows high level accumulation of lead, zinc, cadmium nickel and boron, as well as high production of biomass.** 5. **ENZYME AND DRUG PRODUCTION** - **Utilized modified microorganisms in producing enzymes for food processing and medicines.** - **E.g. CGTase (Cyclomaltodextrin glycosyltransferase) is an enzyme used as flavor enhancers of food, and produced in higher quantity by the bacillus bacterium.** - **Artemesin is extracted from sweet wormwood plant and is a compound used for anti -- malarial drug. Because of genetic engineering, this can be synthetically produced by yeast and bacteria with the gene of sweet wormwood plant.** 6. **GMOs IN THE MEDICAL FIELD** - **Genetic engineering plays a significant role in diagnosing human -- dreaded diseases. It also helps in drug production, gene therapy and laboratory researches.** - **E.g. Humulin is a genetically engineered insulin that is used for patients with Type 1 diabetes -- insulin dependent.** 1. **HIGHER EFFICIENCY IN FARMING** - **Reduce the use of herbicides or pesticides** - **Lower cost of labour and cultivation** 2. **INCREASE IN HARVEST** - **Due to GMO crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, there will be increase in potential growth and harvest.** 3. **CONTROL IN FERTILITY** - **GMO seeds ensures higher yields** 4. **INCREASE IN FOOD PROCESSING** - **Alteration on the characteristics of GMO crops ease processing of foods.** 5. **IMPROVEMENT OF DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS** - **Enhanced colour and taste of food** - **Longer shelf life** - **Enhanced production or reduction of enzymes** 6. **NUTRITIONAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL ENHANCEMENT** - - 1. **An insect resistant GM crop could have a direct toxic effect on non -- target species.** - **The modified genes of GMO crops may transfer in the soil or human intestine (when ingested).** 2. **Reducing source of food for other wildlife** - **Indirectly affect other species** 3. **Pest resurgence** - **There is a possibility that insects become resistant to chemicals when repeatedly used on pest tolerant GM crops.** 4. **Imbalance in nature** - **The changes in the predator/prey ratio.** - **GMO may interfere with the natural biochemical cycles that will affect ecosystem processes.** 1. **More Allergic Reactions** - **GMO food may cause allergic reactions or create new ones due to alteration of our genes or genetic makeup.** 2. **Gene Mutation** - **GMO foods may change the balance between existing microorganisms in the human digestive system.** 3. **Antibiotic Resistance** - **Bacteria may become resistant to antibiotic and more virulent viruses.** 4. **Nutritional Value** - **Changes in the nutritional value of food.** 1. **THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CODEX)** - **Created by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) together with World Health Organization (WHO).** - **The Codex is an intergovernmental body, which develops the Codex Alimentarius, known as the "International Food Code"** - **Develops standards, codes of practices, guidelines and recommendations on food safety, such as the evaluation and pre -- market assessments of GM food products.** 2. **CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY** - **This is and international environment treaty that regulates the transboundary of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)** - **Before shipment, exporters are required to seek consent form the importers.** 3. **INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT ON LABELING OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD AND FOOD PRODUCTS** - **These requires labelling of food products and give parties to either reject or accept GM products.** -- --