STS 3

genetically modified organism (GMO)

is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering.

transgenic organism

A more specifically defined type of GMO is a

transgenic organism

This is an organism made up by the addition of genetic material from an unrelated organism.

This should not be confused with the more general way in which "GMO" is used, as GMOs have been altered without the addition of any genetic material.

Living modified organism

is the technical legal term defined in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which regulates international trade in living GMO.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Living modified organism is the technical legal term defined in the _________, which regulates international trade in living GMO.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Specifically, it stated, "any living organism that possesses a novel recombination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology"

Gene

is a concept introduced by Austrian monk Gregor Mendel as a unit of heredity.

Gregor Mendel

Gene is a concept introduced by Austrian monk ________ as a unit of heredity.

Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA

, is the substance discovered by German chemist Friedrich Miescher in 1868.

Friedrich Miescher

Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is the substance discovered by German chemist _________ in 1868.

DNA's molecular shape

was described as a double helix by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953.

James Watson and Francis Crick

DNA's molecular shape was described as a double helix by ____________in 1953.

Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer

developed techniques that made it possible to chemically cut and splice strands of DNA at specific places in the sequence.

Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer

These two scientists turned these microbes into hormone factories.

Stanley Cohen

introduced the DNA sequence into bacteria and yeast cells.

Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer

In 1976, they founded the company Genetech, and introduced human genes that produce insulin into strains of bacteria. Next, they manufactured the human growth hormone (HGH). HGH was used to enable children with dwarfism to grow to normal size. Before genetic modification techniques, the only source of the drug had been human cadavers.

Agricultural Applications

Medical Applications

Industrial Applications

benefits humans obtain from transgenic animals

Breeding

Farmers have always used selective breeding to produce animals that exhibit desired traits, e.g. increased milk production, high growth rate.

Quality

Transgenic cows produce more milk or milk with less lactose or cholesterol. Pigs and cattle have more meat. Sheep grow more wool.

Disease resistance

Scientists are attempting to produce __________t animals, such as influenza-resistant pigs, but a very limited number of genes are currently known to be responsible for resistance from disease in farm animals.

Breeding

Quality

Disease resistance

Agricultural Applications

Xenotransplantation

Nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals

Human gene therapy

Medical Applications

Xenotransplantation

Patients die every year due to lack of replacement organs. Research is underway to extract pig protein and use it to replace human protein.

Nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals

Research is underway to obtain products such as insulin, growth hormone, and blood anti-clotting agents from transgenic cows, sheep or goat.

Human gene therapy

involves adding a normal copy or a gene (transgene) to the genome of a person carrying defective copies of the gene. Virtanen Institute in Finland produced a calf with genes that make substances which promote the growth of red cells in humans.

USA

Brazil

Argentina

India

Countries which produce the most genetically modified foods

• Create plants that are better resistant to weeds, pests and other diseases.

• Bigger yields to create more efficient use of land, less use of herbicides and other pesticides.

• Foods with better texture, flavor and nutritional value.

Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops

• Start looking at labels.

• Look for products that are USDA certified organic or non-GMO project verified.

• Avoid all corn, soy, and canola that are not labelled as non-GMO.

• Familiarize yourself with the abundant aliases for corn and soy.

How can we avoid GMO foods?

Food allergy

Toxicity

Infertility

Gluten disorders

DNA transfer

Birth defects

Cancer

Ways GMOs may unfavorably affect health

Food allergy

These are the most widespread food allergens: eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soy, tree nuts and wheat

Toxicity

GM crops commercialized as soy and maize fed to mammals that become part of human food chain have shown consistent toxic effects on the liver and kidneys.

Infertility

A study on GM corn and fertility showed a considerate decrease in offspring over time and considerably lower litter weight in mice fed with GM corn.

Gluten disorders

GMOs in diet add to the increase in gluten sensitivity in the population.

DNA transfer

Nutrients containing DNA from ingested GMO food and feed can certainly go through the digestive tract and pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream.

Birth defects

“Roundup ready,” crops that are regularly treated with herbicide is accountable for causing infertility, birth defects, sperm destruction and cancer.

Cancer

There was a controversial study which stated that rats were more probable to develop tumors and die after consuming a diet of Monsanto GM corn.

Corn

Sugar beets

High fructose corn syrup

Soy (lecithin)

Cornstarch

Tomatoes

Sausages

Top GMO foods and Ingredients to Avoid