GENETICALLY MODIFIED

ORGANISMS: SCIENCE,
HEALTH AND POLITICS
 CONTENT STANDARD

The learners demonstrate an understanding

of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO): its
implication to Science, Health and Politics

LEARNING OUTCOMES
The students will able to:
Describe Genetically Modified Organisms and its example; and
Recognize the effect and implication of GMO to Science,
Health, and Politics
WHAT IS GMO?
is the result of a laboratory process (engineered) where
genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and
favored and artificially forced into the genes of an
unrelated plant or animal. It will result in the expression of
desired physiological traits or the production of desired
biological product. The foreign genes may come from the
bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans.

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms.

 GENETIC ENGINEERING made it possible to make genetically
modified organisms and plants. The new genes from another
source have been inserted into the organism, resulting in new
organisms show changes in it according to the genes function in
the body. These inserted genes are called transgenes

in genetic modification, recombinant genetic technologies were,

employed to produce organisms whose genomes have precisely altered
at the molecular level. It is done by the inclusion of genes from
unrelated species or organisms that code for traits that would not
be obtained easily through conventional selective breeding
GMOs are produced through using scientific method:

Recombinant DNA technology - this method involves the insertion of one or

more individuals genes from an organism of one species into the DNA (
deoxyribonucleic acid) of another.

Cloning - This method refers to the process of creating clones of organisms

or copies of cells or fragments of DNA. The first animal produced employing
this cloning technique with a nucleus from an adult donor cells was a sheep
named Dolly, born in 1996. Since then several other animals, including pigs,
horses, and dogs have been generated by reproductive cloning technology
Bacteria are the easiest organisms to engineer due to the relative ease of
modifying their chromosomes and have been used for research, food
production, industrial protein purification including drugs and agriculture.
Escherichia coli is usually the most used bacterial sample. The first medicinal
use of gentically modified bacteria is to produce the protein insulin to treat
diabetes.

If using animals, it is
necessary to ensure that
the inserted DNA is
present in the embryonic
stem cells.
Escherichia coli
Some GMO Food Products:

The Flavr Savr tomato was released in 1994, its

the first commercialized genetically modified
foods

The Golden rice with almost 20 times beta

carotene of previous varieties. Golden rice was
created by modifying the rice genome to include
a gene from the daffodil Narcissus
pseudonarcissus and a gene from the bacterium
Erwinia Uredovora. The introduction of these
genes enabled beta carotene to be converted to
vitamin A.
 The Iron rich rice was generated to help combat
iron deficiency. This GM crop was engineered by
introducing into the rice genome a ferritin gene
from the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris that
produced a protein capable of binding iron as well as
a gene from the fungus Aspergillus Fumigatus to
increase iron bioavailability in the gut.

The BT corn express a protein from the bacterium

Bacillus thuringiensis that has a insecticidal effect

The Glofish, a zebra fish with a flourescent gene

added that allows it to glow in the dark under
ultraviolet light. It was released to the US market in
2003
The AquAdvantage salmon became the first
genetically modified animal to be approved for food
use. The salmon were transformed with a growth
hormone-regulating gene from a Pacific Chinook
salmon and a promoter from an ocean pout enabling
it to grow year- round instead of only during spring
and summer.
 IMPLICATION OF GMO TO SCIENCE, HEALTH AND
POLITCS
Implication of GMO to Science, Health, and Politics Genetically modified organisms become a
part of everyday life, entering into society through agriculture, medicine, research, and
environmental management. However, while Genetically modified organisms have benefited
human society in many ways, some disadvantages exist, therefore, the Genetically modified
organisms produce remains a highly controversial topic in many parts of the world.

There are positive and negative effects when new genetic material is introduced into the gene
pool of a population. Genetic rescue occurs when new genetic material is intentionally
introduced to increase the fitness of a population. Genetic pollution occurs when a new
genetic material is Unintentionally introduced to a population ( outbreeding depression). The
introductionof other unwanted phenotypes can lead to extinction.
 Genetic Pollution is the uncontrolled transfer of the gene into wild
[Link] is defined as "the dispersal of contaminated altered genes
from genetically engineered organisms (GMO) to natural orgagnetic
alytically Genetic pollution happens when the eded of or information is
transferred into the organisms where it is Dever existed before that may
lead to alteration of the original genetic material of the natural
organisms. This flow of genetic information in usually undesired and
cannot be controlled. The flow of genetic information usually takes place
between genetically modified organisms into non genetically modified
organisms. When GMOs are allowed to breed with ownership of the
organisms which are not genetically modified, then these organism share
them a will pollute the genetic of non-GMO.
The term genetic pollution was popularized by environmental Jeremy
Rifkin in 1998 in his book: The Biotech Century. He wrote while
intentional crossbreeding between two genetically distinct varieties is
described as hybridization with the subsequent introgression of genes.

Rifkin used genetic pollution to describe the risks that might occur due
to the unintentional process of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
dispersing their genes into the natural environment by breedingwith wild
plants or animals
DUE TO THESE REASONS THE WHOLE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM WILL GET AFFECTED.
THE EFFECT COULD BE:

GMO might lead the non GM organism to

extinction

Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. This

Their genetics will change and they will not be
means our DNA codes for different proteins that perform
able specific
to show their characteristcs
functions in our body.

There are chances that these organisms might

develop resistance against pesticides or
herbicides
There are unknown consequences of altering the natural state of an organism through foreign
gene expression, such alterations can change the organism's metabolism, growth rate, and
response to external environmental factors. These consequences influence not only the GMO
itself but also the natural environment in which that organism is allowed to reproduce.

Most concerning effects of using GMOs are around the health and environmental impact.
Possible health risks to humans include the possibility of exposure to new allergens present in
genetically modified foods, as well as the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes. Horizontal
genetransfer of pesticide, herbicide or antibiotic resistance to other organisms would not only
put humans at risk, but it would also cause ecological imbalances. It will allow previously
harmless plants to grow uncontrolled, thus promoting the spread of disease among both
plants and animals.

Another concern is when the new enhancemodified fish is in of the genetically modified fish is
introduced into a wild fish population, it will propagate and may eventually, threaten both
the wilf type and the genetically modified organisms viability to produce their offspring
The impact of changing the genetic constituents of single species may extend well beyond to
the environment and will put biodiversity at risk and may lead to damge and destruction of
ecosystem

There is also the Philosophical and Religious Concerns of People

Mitigation is another suggested method for protection of traits (pathogen resistance).

Mitigation involves linking the positive trait (beneficial to fitness) to a negative trait (
harmful to fitness) to wild but not domestics organisms.

Access to information is an important cornerstone of public particpation and one of the tools
that could help to realize the benefits and avoid the risks caused by modern biotechnology.
This concept is well recognized in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration and the recently adopted
Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision making and
access to justice in environmental matters.
DO YOU KNOW???

BT EGGPLANT
Eggplant is a staple food in the Philippines. BT eggplant expresses BT gene, BT
stands for Bacillus Thuringiensis , a common soil bacterium that contains a
gene which produce a protein harmful to insect. Scientist have incorporated
this gene to eggplant enabling it to be resistant to this insect thus to help
farmers minimize loss due to the Eggplant fruit and Shoot borer (moth). This
vegetable can help prevent cancer, diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases
 THANKYOUUU!!!!

SANCHEZ, IZZY MAE

SANCHEZ, MAXINE CLAIRE
REYES, ERICK