MODULE 11
SPECIAL ISSUES IN SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS:
SCIENCE, HEALTH AND POLITICS
Presented by : Group 3
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify issues on genetically modified organisms.
2. Discuss different implications and impact of GMO's.
3. Create a research paper on the impact of GMO's in the
Philippine context.
Presented by : Group 3
INTRODUCTION
This module entitled Special Issues in Science,
Technology, and Society is about Genetically
Modified Organisms: Science, Health, and Politics.
From the early times, when ancient philosophers of
nature tried to explain all things as comings from
the elements of water, fire, air, health, or earth,
science sought for the common characteristics, a
unifying element, in all of nature’s many
phenomena.
Presented by : Group 3
• It was coined by Jack Williamson, author
of the science fiction novel “Dragon”.
GENETIC • The reality of science laboratories or
ENGINEERING emerging fields of science that quest to
preserve and prolong life.
•A process of deliberate manipulation of the
organism's genes, that involves the genes
Presented by : Group 3
transfer of genes from other organism
WHAT ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS?
GMOs are organisms whose genetic make-up
were artificially modified through genetic
engineering. In the process, some genes will
be added to the organism, rendering a change
or an addition of new traits.
Presented by : Group 3
GENETICALLY
•Used for an organism created through genetic
engineering.
MODIFIED
ORGANISM •The World Health Organization (WHO), defines the GMO
(GMO)
as an "organism, either plant, animal or microorganism, in
which the genetic material (DNA) does not occur naturally
by mating or natural recombination.
•The development of GMO's was perceived to help in the
Presented by : Group 3
advancement of technology for the benefit of humans in
different industries like agriculture and medicine.
PROCESS OF MAKING
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
1. IDENTIFICATION OF A TRAIT OF INTEREST.
2. THE GENE ISOLATION
3. THE GENE INSERTION
4. THE GMO GROWTH
BEFORE A GMOS CAN BE PRODUCED AND CONSUMED BY THE PUBLIC, IT MUST UNDERGO A LOT OF
PROCESSES. THERE WILL BE AN ASSESSMENT OF ITS BIOSAFETY, ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY, AND
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE, AMONG OTHERS. GMOS HAVE IMPORTANT USES. THEY ARE USED IN:
• AGRICULTURAL,
• INDUSTRIAL
• HEALTH AND
• ENVIRONMENT PURPOSES
GMO'S IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
INDUSTRIES
1. Pest Resistance: to resist certain pests,
2. Virus Resistance: to resist certain viruses
3. Herbicide Tolerance: tolerance to herbicide
fortified with certain minerals.
5. Cosmetic Preservation: resist natural discoloration.
6. Increase Growth rate—higher yield in growth.
Presented by : Group 3
GMOS IN NON-FOOD CROPS AND MICROORGANISMS:
1. Flower Production: modified color and extended vase life of
flowers.
2. Paper Production: modified characteristics of trees.
3. Pharmaceutical Production: modified plants to produce product.
4. Bioremediation: plants that can assist polluted sites.
5. Enzyme and Drug Production: produced enzymes for food
processing and medicines.
BENEFITS OF GMOS:
1. Higher Efficiency in Farming : Use of Pesticides in Crops
2. Increase in Harvest: increase potential growth
3. Control in Fertility: Controlling the purity of the Hybrid seeds
4. Increase in Food Processing: Help ease Food processing
5. Improvement of Desirable Characteristics: Longer shelf life,
enhanced tase, Production or Reduction of enzymes
6. Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Enhancement: edible vaccines
and Diagnostic diseases
7. Reduce use of fertilizer and pesticides
RISKS AND POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS
1.) Ecosystem risk - it suggested that modified organisms can
become invasive species.
2.) Genetic contamination or interbreeding - interbreed with type
can cause loss of the trait in succeeding generations.
3.) Adverse effects on health - effects on human health toxicity,
allergy reactions and other unintended effects.
4.) Social acceptance - rendered useless if there is Lack of
acceptance by their target consumers.
5.) Economic issues and access - huge investments are needed to
develop GMOs, there should be return on investment and profit.
6.) Animal welfare - animal welfare issues are raised in the
production of GMOS.
7.) Pest and antibiotic resistance - the use of pesticides may lead to developing
resistance against GMOs themselves. The production of GMOs uses antibiotic-
resistant bacteria; this can possibly contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic
resistance.
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
Environmental risk refers to the
potential for harm to the environment
caused by human activities. This harm
can include pollution, habitat
destruction, climate change, and
resource depletion.
Presented by : Group 3
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
DIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
a. Disrupting the natural balance:
- Imagine a new type of wheat that grows much faster than regular wheat. This could crowd
out other plants, upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
b. Unpredictable changes:
- Sometimes, GMOs don't behave as expected. The changes made to the plant could lead to
unexpected problems, like making it more vulnerable to disease or producing toxins.
c. Harmful effects on the environment:
- Chemicals used to grow GMO crops could pollute the soil and water, harming plants and
animals
d. Negative impacts on consumers:
- Eating GMO food could cause allergies or other health problems.
INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
a. Changing farming practices:
- Farmers might rely more on GMO crops, leading to less variety in what they grow. This
could make the food system more vulnerable to problems like disease or pests.
b. Loss of biodiversity:
- GMO crops could replace native varieties, reducing the diversity of plants and animals in
the environment.
c. Uncertain environmental effects:
- We don't always know the long-term effects of GMOs on the environment. There could be
unexpected consequences that we haven't seen yet.
1. Adverse effects: GMO consumption may lead to
various health issues, including digestive problems
POTENTIAL and allergies.
HUMAN
HEALTH 2. Microorganism balance: GMOs could disrupt gut
bacteria, potentially harming digestion and immunity.
Presented by : Group 3
3. Toxin production: Genetic modifications might
unintentionally create harmful toxins in food.
4. Allergen introduction: GMOs could introduce new
allergens, causing unexpected reactions in some
POTENTIAL individuals.
HUMAN
HEALTH 5. Cloning concerns: The cloning process in creating
GMOs may lead to unintended mutations or
behavioral changes
Presented by : Group 3
6. Unexpected mutations: Genetic changes can result
in unforeseen mutations, potentially causing new
issues.
BIOSAFETY ON GMOS
• The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex)
- Codex is an intergovernmental body that develops the Codex
Alimentarius, known as the International Food Code.
• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
- An international environmental treaty that regulates transboundary
movements of Living Modified Organisms (LMOS)
•International Trade Agreement on Labeling of GM Food and Food
Products
- Give rights to importing parties to reject and accept the GM products
Presented by : Group 3
THANK
YOU
Presented by : Group 3
