1. Justin Ross Biochemistry658 Kenick Spring 2012

2. GMOs, using biotechnology, is an emerging science that combines the biological sciences with the development of modern technology to strive for an enhanced biological world. Biotechnology has changed the landscape for agriculture and has created genetically modified foods. Using genetic engineering techniques to alter an organism through direct human manipulation represents the basis for GMOs. The implementation of recombinant DNA modification techniques represents the chief alteration method. By transplanting splices of DNA into a host organism in the hopes to alter that organism for the desired changes can create many needed additions to the crops of today.

3. As the world’s food demand increase, the need for increased production of high yield crops are ever more demanding. To assist the demand the following techniques have been utilized to increase yield or prevent loss. Disease resistance: Bt Gene Bacillus Thuringensis inserted into crops. Increased production: recombinant DNA (r-DNA) techniques to block predators from consuming product. Longer shelf life: Flavr Savr tomato, modifying its own genes to increase time before spoilage.

4. If a company creates a genetically altered organism, can that lifeform be patented ? Does that life form then become a copyrighted product for its creator? If it is genetically engineered can it then be commercialized and sold on the open market? Are GMO’s considered to be genetic inventions that can be bought/sold ? Or are life forms outside the scope of US patents?

5. As you can imagine, with the advent of this new field of biotechnology, it will be the courts to decide the fate of many aspects of the GMO debate. Monsanto Corporation: Roundup Ready products Public domain vs. imminent domain of commercial product. US Supreme Court: Monsanto v. Geerston Seed

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