GMO(Geneti cally Modifi ed

Organisms)

What is GMO?

• GMO is an organism in which the genetic material(DNA) has been altered in an unnatural way, allowing selected individuals genes to be transferred from one organism into another & between non related species

• These organisms are made with a focus on specific traits using genetic engineering techniques

• They are designed to resolve the world hunger

GM corns

History of GMOs

• 1953- discovery of DNA• 1982- The US Food Drug Administration(FDA)

approved the first genetically modified drug, a form of insulin

• 1987-First genetically modified crops of tobacco & tomatoes were tested in the US

• 1992-FDA ruled that GMOs are not dangerous • 2001-More than 50 million acres of American

farmland had been planted to genetically modified crops

Types of GMO’s

Plant GMOs

• Plants have been modified to resist insect pest & disease that can seriously affect agricultural production. Example includes Golden Rice engineered to contain beta-carotene & other nutrients.

Animal GMO’s

• A number of animals, including cows, pigs, sheep & chicken have been genetically modified to produce proteins for medical purposes. In addition, fish modified to become glow-in-the dark pets for aquarium

Types of GMOs

Microbial GMOs

• E,coli bacteria were modified to react to light so as to produce photograph. Other microbial GMOs have been developed- aimed at everything from fighting dental cavities to preventing HIV,

Yeast GMOs

The Saccharomytes cerevisie yeast was modified at the Goethe University in Frankturt, Germany, to enhance the production of ethanol from biomass.

Disadvantages of GMOs

• Insect & disease ResistanceGMOs can potentially be created that have greater resistance to insect & reduce the amount of chemicals used on plants to protect against diseases, which can reduce pollution introduces to the environment

• Chemical ResistanceOther benefit of GMOs is the potential to increase the chemical resistance of food crops, allowing herbicides to be used that will harm any weeds, while leaving the desirable crop relatively unaffected.

• NutrientsGMOs provide a potential for increasing the

nutritional value of plants. A plant that normally offers little vitamins might be combined with genes of another plant that is higher in vitamins. GMOs can introduce new sources of essential nutrients which can fight health problems.

• ProfitabilityHaving plants that are better able to resist

various maladies can increase crop yields while reducing the amount of money spent on efforts to protect the plants.

Disadvantages of GMOs

• Environmental ImpactsAn alteration to a certain plant might make it inedible to

another organism such as insect that relies on it for food. In some cases this can be benefit but it may also be a drawback if it harms organisms that are upsets the balance of the food chain. GMOs can result through cross pollination, leading to unknown effects to other organisms.

• HealthAltering the genetic make-up of an organism could

potentially introduce new allergenic properties to it. Some plants, such as peanuts, have powerful

allergens that can kill humans. If a gene of peanut were used to enhance a more common crop, it might introduce a similar allergen which could have severe health impact.

• EconomicsSince GMOs have the potential to replace

standard crops, the componies that produce them and the farmers who are able to produce them stand to profit greatly. This could reduce the competition b/w farmers and give the componies that create GMOs great power in the agricultural industry. Technologically advanced countries would likely benefit the most economically from increasing GMO production.

• EthicsCritics of GMOs sometimes make arguments

against genetic engineering on ethical grounds. Some people feel it unnatural or wrong to introduce the genes of animals into plants or from one to another, which may be likened to “playing GOD”.

Controversies on GMOs

• Biological processSome groups or individuals see the generation and use o GMO as

intolerable meddling with biological processes that have naturally evolved over long periods of time, while others are concerned about the limitations of modern science to fully comprehend all of the potential negative ramifications o genetic manipulations.

• Food ChainThe safety of GMOs in the food chain has been

questioned by some environmental groups, with concerns such as the possibilities that GMOs could introduce new allergens into foods, or contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Although all studies published to date have shown no adverse health effects resulting from humans eating genetically modified foods, environmental groups still discourage consumption in many countries, claiming that GM foods are unnatural and therefore unsafe. Such concerns have led to the adoption of laws and regulations that require safety testing of any new organism produced for human consumption

• Agricultural surplusesPatrick Mulvany, Chairman of the UK Food

Group, accused some governments, especially the Bush administration, of using GM food aid as a way to dispose of unwanted agricultural surpluses. The UN blamed food companies and accused them of violating human rights, calling on governments to regulate these profit-driven firms. It is widely believed that the acceptance of biotechnology and genetically modified foods will also benefit rich research companies and could possibly benefit them more than consumers in underdeveloped nations.

LABELINGWhile some groups advocate the complete prohibition of GMOs, others

call for mandatory labeling of genetically modified food or other products. Other controversies include the definition of patent and property pertaining to products of genetic engineering. According to the documentary Food, Inc. efforts to introduce labeling of GMOs has repeatedly met resistance from lobbyists and politicians affiliated with companies like Monsanto.

Transgenic Organisms

Another important controversy is the possibility of unforeseen local and global effects as a result of transgenic organisms proliferating. Some critics have raised the concern that conventionally-bred crop plants can be cross-pollinated (bred) from the pollen of modified plants. Pollen can be dispersed over large areas by wind, animals, and insects. In 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture fined Scotts Miracle-Gro $500,000 when modified genetic material from creeping bent grass, a new golf-course grass Scotts had been testing, was found within close relatives of the same genus (Agrostis) as well as in native grasses up to 21 km (13 miles) away from the test sites, released when freshly cut grass was blown by the wind

"Terminator" and "traitor"

An often cited controversy is a "Technology Protection" technology dubbed 'Terminator'. This uncommercialized technology would allow the production of first generation crops that would not generate seeds in the second generation because the plants yield sterile seeds. The patent for this so-called "terminator" gene technology is owned by Delta and Pine Land Company and the United States Department of Agriculture. Delta and Pine Land was bought by Monsanto Company in August 2006. Similarly, the hypothetical trait-specific Genetic Use Restriction Technology, also known as 'Traitor' or 'T-gut', requires application of a chemical to genetically modified crops to reactivate engineered traits. This technology is intended both to limit the spread of genetically engineered plants, and to require farmers to pay yearly to reactivate the genetically engineered traits of their crops. Genetic Use Restriction Technology is under development by companies including Monsanto and AstraZeneca.

Who's Afraid of GMOs? Me!By Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLAJune, 2005

In your article, "Who is Afraid of GMOs?" (by Lindsey Partos, foodqualitynews.com, 6/06/2005), the author tries to persuade us that genetically modified (also known as GMO, GM, GE, and biotech) foods can feed the world's hungry and that foes of this technology are selfish, greedy idealists who abet the starving of millions of people. In fact, the foes of genetic crops are the heroes who are fighting greedy, huge agribusiness interests that are slowly destroying our environment and exposing us all to uncertain dangers for their own gain.Instead of focusing on the (yet) uncertain health risks and accepting by faith that GMO food can better feed the hungry, the author should have zeroed in on the scientifically unsubstantiated safety issues and the clear environmental dangers of GMO crops. The lack of evidence of harm to date may simply be the result of a lack of resources to look at potential problems from GMOs.

Prepared by:Dominic Asis

Thank You and

God Bless!