A Study of Genetically Modified Crops: Their Advantages and Disadvantages Prepared by: Matthew MacMullin, Biological Engineering Jordan Smith, Food Science Nahid Aalidaai, Food Science

Outline Introduction Introduction How Genes Affect the Crops How Genes Affect the Crops Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops Future of the Technology Future of the Technology Conclusions Conclusions

Introduction What Are Genetically Modified Crops?  Have a transgene artificially added.  Transgene from an unrelated organism.  This alters the crop plant’s DNA. Why Create Genetically Modified Crops?  Give plants traits they did not have before being altered.  Allow growers to customize plants with attributes they choose.

Introduction A brief look at the history of Genetically Modified Plants.  Breeding plants to have certain traits.  Use of radiation to cause mutations in the 1920’s.  First genetically modified plants were created in  These early creations lead to plants containing commercially valuable traits.

How Genes Affect the Crops DNA contains the organism’s genetic information. DNA contains the organism’s genetic information. Genes are certain segments of DNA that hold the information needed to synthesis proteins. Genes are certain segments of DNA that hold the information needed to synthesis proteins. Different genes lead to different proteins. Different genes lead to different proteins. The proteins lead to expression of the plant’s traits. The proteins lead to expression of the plant’s traits.

How Genes Affect the Crops Source:

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops  Is the current limiting Factor.  Locating the gene alone is not enough.  Mostly a trial and error process. Locating the Genes to Use

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Replication of the Gene  Usually done through a bacterium plasmid vector.  Gene isolated using restriction enzymes.  The plasmid is taken from a bacteria cell.  The gene is inserted into plasmid using ligase.  Plasmid placed back into bacteria cell where it is replicated as the cell reproduces.

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Replication of the Gene Source:

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Designing The Gene for Use  The must be modified before inserted into plant cells.  Need promoter and termination sequences.  A marker gene is added.  Other changes made to ensure acceptance by the plant. Source:

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Transformation of Plants  Two methods used  Micro-projectile bombardment method  Genes are attached to micro-projectiles and fired into cells.  Clean and safe.  May cause unwanted side affects  May cause unwanted side affects.

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Transformation of Plants  Agrobacterium Method.  Most common method.  Makes use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.  Disease causing DNA replaced with transgene. Source:

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Transformation of Plants  Agrobacterium Method  Transfers genes through a floral dip.  Does not affect stability of plant’s cells.  Only effective on some crops

Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Source:

Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Grow premium crops under poor conditions.  Pest or Herbicide resistant crops.  Faster Maturation rates for crops.  Increased Yields for crops. For Farmers

Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Higher Quality attributes.  Size, Colour, Flavours.  Longer shelf-life for products. For Consumers

Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Grow Crops on less Fertile land.  Larger Yields feed more People.  More Crops Grown; Faster Maturation. For Developing Countries

Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Crops will require less Pesticides.  Crops will require less Herbicides.  Less Farmland used (in theory). For Environment

Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Resistant Pests and Weeds.  Mutated Genes in Nature.  Hybrid Plants.  Extinction of plant species.  Unforeseen Risks. Environmental Risks

Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Allergens from proteins not normally present in food products.  Pharmaceutical Crop Contamination.  Unforeseen Risks. Health Risks

Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops  Traditional and Organic Farms Obsolete.  Corporate Monopoly.  Farmers forced to use GM crops.  Only Corporations can develop/supply seed. Economical Concerns

The Future of the Technology Currently used to improve crops. Currently used to improve crops. Still being improved Still being improved Current research centers on improving the health of consumers. Current research centers on improving the health of consumers. Adding vitamins to crops such as rice in areas of the world where nutritional deficiencies are abundant. Adding vitamins to crops such as rice in areas of the world where nutritional deficiencies are abundant. Possibility of fighting diseases. Possibility of fighting diseases.

Conclusions Still a relatively new technology. Still a relatively new technology. Always changing and improvement. Always changing and improvement. Seemingly unlimited possibilities. Seemingly unlimited possibilities. Pros outweigh the Cons. Pros outweigh the Cons. Research will hopefully continue and make the world better. Research will hopefully continue and make the world better. However, The products should be tested thoroughly. However, The products should be tested thoroughly.

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