STS 008
Lesson 11 Biodiversity, GMO and Healthy Society
B. GMO
11.7 What is GMO
11.8 GMO’s in Food and Agriculture
11.9 GMO’s in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms
11.10 Benefits & Risks of GMO
1. Benefits of GMO
2. Potential Health Risks of GMO
3. Potential Environmental Risks of GMO
What is GMO?
GMO or Genetically Modified Organism is any organism like plant, animal, or microbe that has
its DNA altered through genetic engineering techniques.
It is the transfer of genes between organisms through a series of laboratory techniques known
as recombinant DNA technology.
Here is an example of a genetically modified Salmon.
It has been created so that it continuously produces growth
hormones and can be sold as a full-size fish after 18
months instead of 3 years.
Brief History of GMO Technology in Crops
10,000 years ago – Humans begin crop domestication using selective breeding
1700s – Farmers and scientists begin cross-breeding plants within a species.
1940s and 1950s – Breeders and researchers seek out additional means to introduce genetic
variation into gene pool of plants.
1980s – Researchers develop the more precise and controllable method of genetic engineering
to create plants with desirable traits. (FDA approves insulin)
1990s – The first GMOs are introduced to the market place.
Humans has been doing selective breeding and crossbreeding methods for years to produce
goods in different variants (e.g. variety of apples). Or to mix genes of organisms like dogs
through mating (e.g. Chihuahuas and corgis).
And while these two conventional breeding methods have enabled humans to develop new
products, methods, and organisms, improving human health and society, GMOs are now much
more targeted because of its benefits of being more cost-effective, reaping better crop that
yields higher.
How are GMOs made?
GMO has become the term to describe foods that were genetically created through genetic
engineering. And here is a process of how GMO Plants are made:
a. Identify - Identifying the genetic information or “gene” that given an organism like plant,
animals or microbes a desired trait.
b. Copy - Copying the gene from the organism that has the trait.
c. Insert - Inserting that gene into the DNA of another organism
d. Grow - Then growing the new organism.
The application of Genetic Engineering Process is seen in the production of
Insect-resistant corn (also known as Bt corn)
GMO papaya, apples, pink pineapples
GMO Salmon
GMO soybeans
Insulin for diabetes
Pigs that are resistant to respiratory diseases
The glow-in-the-dark pet Glofish
Advantages of GMO to Conventional Breeding
Conventional Breeding
- Allows mixing all of the genes of two different sources through sexual or asexual
reproduction.
- Produces variants, increasing the availability of genetic resources for crop improvement.
- Limited to exchanges between the same or closely related species
- Does not guarantee any particular gene combination from the million of cross generated
- Undesirable genes can be transferred along desirable genes
- Usually takes a long time to reach the desired results
Genetically Modified Breeding
- Inserts a gene or two into individual cells in a lab.
- Modifies organisms like bacteria to produce medicines to cure or prevent diseases. (e.g.
insulin for diabetes)
- Reaches desired results compared to unwanted results of conventional breeding.
