GMO’s Genetically Modified Organisms

Selective Breeding First stop on the tour of how man is using science to control nature… First stop on the tour of how man is using science to control nature… Meet the Super Cow Video Meet the Super Cow Video

GMO’s Subject full of controversy Subject full of controversy A GMO is created by taking a gene from another organism and inserting it into the new organism… A GMO is created by taking a gene from another organism and inserting it into the new organism… This creates an organism with ‘recombinant DNA’ This creates an organism with ‘recombinant DNA’

The Process Research discovered restriction enzymes – like molecular scissors Research discovered restriction enzymes – like molecular scissors They cut DNA so genes can be extracted They cut DNA so genes can be extracted The cut DNA has ‘sticky ends’, used to reattach the gene to another piece of DNA The cut DNA has ‘sticky ends’, used to reattach the gene to another piece of DNA

Process cont’d… 1973 – gene for insulin production inserted into E. Coli 1973 – gene for insulin production inserted into E. Coli Bacteria now produced insulin – large quantities could be gathered Bacteria now produced insulin – large quantities could be gathered Previously, insulin was only gathered from the pancreas of dead animals and cadavers Previously, insulin was only gathered from the pancreas of dead animals and cadavers This was a huge advance in genetic engineering This was a huge advance in genetic engineering

Changing Science GMO’s have changed the way we treat: GMO’s have changed the way we treat: Diabetics (Insulin) Diabetics (Insulin) Haemophiliacs (Blood clotting factor) Haemophiliacs (Blood clotting factor) Dwarfism (Human Growth Hormone) Dwarfism (Human Growth Hormone) Cost decreased Cost decreased Accessibility increased Accessibility increased

Good with the Bad (don’t write this down… just read please!) FYI: Pigs & Transplants Pigs organs are similar in size and shape to humans; problem with transplants is most commonly rejection Pigs organs are similar in size and shape to humans; problem with transplants is most commonly rejection Scottish company removed gene from pigs that causes rejection… now organs can be transplanted into humans without fear of rejection Scottish company removed gene from pigs that causes rejection… now organs can be transplanted into humans without fear of rejection While this decreases wait time for organs and saves lives… risk is that humans could contract bovine disease and spread it through human population While this decreases wait time for organs and saves lives… risk is that humans could contract bovine disease and spread it through human population

Did you know? Glofish were the first pets to contain recombinant DNA! They took the gene that allowed jellyfish to glow, and inserted it into zebra fish.

Plants GMO research focuses mainly on plants GMO research focuses mainly on plants Effort to increase yield and decrease need for pesticide Effort to increase yield and decrease need for pesticide BT Corn BT Corn Gene for Bt toxin from Gene for Bt toxin from bacteria inserted bacteria inserted into corn plants into corn plants Corn now produces Corn now produces natural insecticide natural insecticide

Flavr Savr Tomato First GMO plant licensed for human consumption First GMO plant licensed for human consumption Inserted gene gave tomato better flavour and longer shelf life Inserted gene gave tomato better flavour and longer shelf life topics/ /

BREAK!

The Controversy People are concerned the insertion of genes is ‘short – sighted’ People are concerned the insertion of genes is ‘short – sighted’ Not enough long term studies completed to see how the environment may be effected Not enough long term studies completed to see how the environment may be effected

Read this example: Monarch Butterflies Feeds on milkweed plants (grow commonly near cornfields) Feeds on milkweed plants (grow commonly near cornfields) Pollen from Bt corn lands on milkweed Pollen from Bt corn lands on milkweed Butterflies ingest insecticide and die or are incapable of reproducing Butterflies ingest insecticide and die or are incapable of reproducing Another fear: Bt corn pollen may also fertilize other corn populations… changing genetic makeup of corn FOREVER! Pollen travels up to 20km via the wind or bees

Ex. 2: Terminator Gene Inserted gene makes it impossible to use seeds generated from crops for future plantings Inserted gene makes it impossible to use seeds generated from crops for future plantings Makes farmer depend entirely on seed company Makes farmer depend entirely on seed company Farmers from many regions cannot afford to buy seeds each new growing season Farmers from many regions cannot afford to buy seeds each new growing season

Controversy cont’d… While there are many great things with genetic engineering… While there are many great things with genetic engineering… Long-term impact on environment needs to be determined Long-term impact on environment needs to be determined Natural evolution of a species takes decades… this technology makes changing DNA happen overnight