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Understanding Biodiversity and GMOs

This document discusses biodiversity and genetically modified organisms. It defines biodiversity as the variety of life on Earth and the interdependence of all living things. Over 1.4 million species have been identified so far. The document also defines a genetically modified organism as an organism whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques. It provides some examples of traits that have been modified in GMO crops, such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and improved nutrition.

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edgar malupeng
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79 views17 pages

Understanding Biodiversity and GMOs

This document discusses biodiversity and genetically modified organisms. It defines biodiversity as the variety of life on Earth and the interdependence of all living things. Over 1.4 million species have been identified so far. The document also defines a genetically modified organism as an organism whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques. It provides some examples of traits that have been modified in GMO crops, such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and improved nutrition.

Uploaded by

edgar malupeng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Biodiversity:

Who cares?
What is
Cartagena
Protocol?
Which do you like better?

A B
Which do you like better?

A B
Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?

Bio =
• Biodiversity is the variety of life on
Earth and the essential
interdependence of all living things

• Scientists have identified more than 1.4 million species. Tens of


millions -- remain unknown (www.thecatalogueoflife.org)

• The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by


complex interactions among all living things including micro-
oganisms.
Origin of Biodiversity
Evolution, by the mechanism of natural
selection, provides a logical explanation for
how populations change over time
● Ultimately, this change can lead to the
creation of new species
● Life has been evolving for billions of years on
Earth
○ That’s a really long time!
What is a GMO? What is the difference between
genetically modified organisms and genetically
engineered organisms.
What is a GMO?

GMO
genetically modified organism: an organism or 
microorganism whose genetic material has been
altered by means of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering (also called genetic modification),


is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome
using biotechnology. 
genetically modified baby
What is a GMO?
Man has been manipulating DNA in plants and animals
for millennia
What is a GMO?
Man has been manipulating DNA in plants and animals for millennia
What is a GMO?
Man has been manipulating DNA in plants and animals for millennia
PROCESS
• It involves the insertion of DNA from
one organism into another OR
modification of an organism’s DNA in
order to achieve a desired trait.

Suntory "blue" rose


Some GMO Crop Traits

• Herbicide tolerance - crop can withstand herbicide


applications
• Insect tolerance - plant produces toxin to kill pest
• Improved nutrition – plant produces a substance of nutritive
value or is changed to not produce an antinutrient
• Disease resistant – crop is resistant to certain disease
• Stress Tolerance – crop is tolerant of stress, low nutrient levels
or excess nutrients
• Increased Storage – crop can be stored longer to avoid spoilage
losses
• Medicinal uses – crops that produce medicines or vaccines
• Industrial uses – crops to make more efficient industries

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