GMOs Introduction.pptx

Genetically Modified Organisms Patenting Life ►It was accepted that anyone in the world could use the resources of nature - until approximately 25 years ago. ►It happened first in the US. A company that created genetically engineered microorganism, designed to consume oil spills applied for a p...

Genetically Modified Organisms Patenting Life ►It was accepted that anyone in the world could use the resources of nature - until approximately 25 years ago. ►It happened first in the US. A company that created genetically engineered microorganism, designed to consume oil spills applied for a patent on it. ►Rejected by the Patents and Trademark Office (PTO) arguing, “living things could not be patented.” But at appeal, the patent was allowed by a narrow majority." ►In 1987, the PTO issued a ruling that “all genetically engineered living organisms CAN be patented” including human genes, cell-lines, tissues, organs, and even genetically altered human embryos and fetuses. ►The ruling opened the floodgates of controversy ► first mammal to be patented was a mouse with human genes The Vacanti mouse – BTW, no GMO on this mouse Ear-shaped cartilage grown by seeding cow cartilage cells into a biodegradable ear-shaped mold and then implanted under the skin of the mouse.[1] ► Dolly’s creators (first cloned sheep) applied for a broad patent to cover all cloned animals "Transplantation of chondrocytes utilizing a polymer-cell construct to produce tissue-engineered cartilage i n the shape of a human ear" . Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass., USA. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2012-09-14 . For more information on cloning…. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/baby/ cloning.html There’s a big difference…. ►Between conventional breeding techniques and GMOs ►Conventional breeding (remember Mendel from your biology class?) transfers genetic information between members of the same species ►Genetic engineering overcomes 3 billion years of evolution to transfer There’s a big difference…. ►Many GMOs come from one of a few huge transnational corporations, like Monsanto ►They have “patents” on actual new species (controversial - playing God?) ►Seeds often contain a “suicide gene” which prevents plants from breeding from one year to the next and forces Advantages ▪ Seed varieties that contain desired traits (increased yield, drought resistant, insect resistant etc.) ▪ Huge profits for the GMO companies ▪ Feeding more people ▪ Improved nutrition Disadvantages ▪ Dependency on companies for something that should be free ▪ Cost is prohibitive for the many millions of peasant farmers around the world Solutions? ►Breeding your own desired seeds, the old fashioned way (Monsanto claims their seeds are still superior, but there’s some evidence to the contrary) A small seed bank in rural Honduras More recently… ►Mark Lynas (one of the founders of the anti-GMO) movement recently recanted his entire ‘anti-GMO’ belief ►According to him today: “GM crops are necessary to feed the world.” ►If interested, you can watch his entire speech here (55 min) ►*Note - this doesn’t address the ethical or