GMO vs Selective breeding By Shay Townson

A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans. GMO

GMOs have many techniques and methods for creating them some examples of this are Gene Silencing, Bacterial Carriers, Electroporation, and Gene Splicing. Gene Silencing Gene Silencing is when an engineer “silences” the gene that causes an undesired trait. This can be very useful if a certain gene activates an allergic reaction that gene could be “silenced.” Bacterial Carriers Bacterial Carriers are used to deliver into the cell by physically adding a wanted gene into a Bacterial and then plants in a plant to add the gene to the plant. Electroporation Electroporation is when the targets cells are placed in a solution with the chosen DNA with a strong brief electric shock causing the walls of the cell to tear allowing in the DNA. The Cells are then put in another solution to repair the damage brought on by the electric shock trapping the DNA inside. Gene Splicing In Gene Splicing biotechnologists modify DNA, and then add it into the target host cells to allow for the genes and resulting traits to be modified. GMO types

GMO Stats Alfalfa (first planting 2011) Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop) Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011) Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011) Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres) Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011) Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010) Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres) GMO Stats

Gmo: pros and cons PROS CONS Unintended Harm to Other Organisms Pest Resistance Herbicide Tolerance Disease Resistance Cold Tolerance Drought or Salinity Tolerance Nutrition Pharmaceuticals Phytoremediation CONS Unintended Harm to Other Organisms Reduced Effectiveness of Pesticides Gene Transfer to Non-Target Species Human Health Risks Economic Concerns Very Hard to Get Rid of Gmo: pros and cons

Selective breeding (also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is normally done by a professional breeder. Selective Breeding

Selective Breeding: Types Animals There are three main approached to selective breeding in animals is Outcrossing, Line Breeding, and Inbreeding. Outcrossing Outcrossing is mating two animals for about 4 to 6 generations to make sure that the trait is more numerous than it was before, but is only worth it when the genetic variation for a trait is high. Line Breeding Line Breeding is when you mate related animals like half siblings, cousins, aunts, and nephews. It is really only effective if the trait or traits continues to show in the offspring. Inbreeding Inbreeding is when directly related animals are mated to create uniformities, prepotency, and to force out latent weaknesses from the gene pool. Selective Breeding: Types Animals

Selective breeding: Plants Some types of selective breeding in plants are Mass Selection, Pure-line Selection, and Hybridization to make it simple. Mass Selection Mass selection is when seeds from desirable appearing individuals for the next generation to be planted from eliminating undesired traits. Pure-line Selection Pure-Line Selection has 3 steps involving selecting superior appearing plants form a genetically variable population, then grown and evaluated by observation over several years, finally it is determined whether or not the new plants are better than their relatives. Hybridization Hybridization is mating carefully selected plants to combine desirable genes found in two or more different varieties and to produce pure- breeding offspring. Selective breeding: Plants

Selective Breeding: Pros and Cons Increase the Food Supply Increase the Levels of Protein in Forage Crops Allow Plants to Grow Areas Not Originally Suited to Them Possibility of a Huge Die of Modified Plants Could Use Up More Than Thought Killing the Locate Environment Selective Breeding: Pros and Cons