Genetically Modified Organisms Image credit: Microsoft clipart

What are genetically modified foods? Also called genetically modified organisms (GMO), or GE foods (Genetically engineered). Created by inserting DNA from one organism into another (I.e. fish genes into apples) OR modifying an organism’s DNA to attain a desirable trait. (I.e. a tomato with reversed DNA to slow down ripening). Image credit: Microsoft clipart

Genetic Engineering breaks the species barrier!!! Genetic engineering allows DNA from different species to be joined together. This often results in combinations of DNA that would never be possible in nature!!! For this reason genetic engineering is not a natural process. If DNA is transferred from one species to another the organism that receives the DNA is said to be transgenic.

Alternative names for genetic engineering: Genetic Manipulation Genetic Modification Recombinant DNA Technology Gene Splicing Gene Cloning

Traditional Breeding technology is not essential, limited by species boundaries, all genes/traits are mixed. ~45,000 genes~25,000 genes

Process of Genetic Engineering Five steps involved in this process: 1.Isolation 2.Cutting 3.Insertion (Ligation) 4.Transformation 5.Expression

GM vs. Selective breading Selective breading -slow -imprecise -modification of genes that naturally occur in the organism GM -very fast -precise -can introduce genes into an organism that would not occur naturally!

Why do it? Rice- not high in essential nutrients Modification: + daffodil genes and a bacterium = beta-carotene content drastically increased + genes from a french bean = double the iron content. Tomatoes- Introduce genes to increase shelf life.

Benefits #1 Increased crop productivity Increased crop productivity This includes herbicide tolerance, pest and disease resistance E.g. BT corn. Could mean using less spray Image credit: & Microsoft clipart

Benefits #2 Cold tolerance Cold tolerance plants developed to tolerate cold temperatures & withstand unexpected frost could destroy seedlings Drought & salinity tolerance Drought & salinity tolerance currently inhospitable regions can now be cultivated Image credit:

Benefits #3 Improved nutrition Improved nutrition crops like rice are a staple in developing countries nutritionally inadequate! GM "golden rice" is high in beta- carotene (vitamin A) Reduces eye-related problems like blindness due to malnutrition Image credit: & Microsoft clipart

Benefits #4 Future benefits Future benefits might include: food without allergens; (I.e. anyone could eat nuts) longer shelf life and better taste (reduced food waste due to spoilage) rice enhanced with iron (prevent anemia) foods used as vaccines (bye-bye needles) Many more possibilities Image credit: Microsoft clipart

Milestones in Food Biotechnology 1994: FDA approves “Flavr Savr” Tomato Prolonged shelf life Improved quality Voluntarily labeled

Other Genetically Engineered Plants Agronomic traits BT Corn Disease Resistance Food quality Nutrition Metabolic products Vaccines

Bt Corn Natural insecticide from Bacillus thuringiensis Non-toxic to humans Target insect: corn borer Potential to: reduce insecticide use reduce mycotoxins 40% U.S. Corn crop Bt (2006)

Herbicide Resistance Roundup Ready Soy, Corn, Canola Allows post-emergence herbicide spraying Increases yield Facilitates no-till farming 89% U.S. Soy crop (2006)

Disease Resistance Canola Cantaloupes Cucumbers Corn Rice Papaya Potatoes Soybeans Squash Tomatoes Wheat Genetically engineered papaya resistant papaya ringspot virus

Milestones in Food Biotechnology 1999: GM corn and soybean products are present in 80% of processed foods in USA Corn: starch, high fructose corn syrup, oil Soy: oil, protein

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Spreading of transgenes by GMOs to closely related domesticated or wild relatives Spreading and invasion into natural ecosystems by GMOs Spreading of transgenes from GMOs to unrelated species

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Development of herbicide-resistant weeds Development of insecticide-resistant pests Damage to non-target organisms interacting with GMOs

Herbicide Resistance Concerns Encourages herbicide use Groundwater contamination Kills beneficial soil microbes Cross-pollinates weeds Fosters dependence on Agrochemcial companies

Spreading of GMO transgenes to relatives GMOs targeted Possible effects on biodiversity Potential contamination of conventional crops by GMOs Potential for development of herbicide- resistant weeds

Transgene spread to unrelated species Spreading of transgenes by plants to microbes with potential implications for:  Infectious diseases controlled by antibiotics  Potential for resistance to antibiotics  Increases in the number of antibiotic resistance genes

ANIMAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS Effects of DNA, food and feed derived from GMOs Possible pathological effects

Health and Nutrition Golden Rice Vitamin A and Iron enhanced Seeds given to the poor for free