MODULE 9

GENETICALLY
MODIFIED
ORGANISM

MODULE
 Learning
objective
s:
Discuss the concepts of genetically modified
organism and biotechnology
Enumerate the uses and application of
Genetically Modified Organism in Agriculture,
Aquaculture/Fishing industry, Food industry, and
biomedical research Discuss the economic,
social, health and environmental impacts of
GMO
Explain the ethical issues of genetically modified
organism in coastal environment, and Biodiversity
Appreciate the techniques used in the process of
creating genetically modified organism
INTRODUCTION
Genetically modified organism (GMO) is an
organism whose genetic makeup has
undergone a deliberate change.
Microorganisms (bacteria and yeast), insects,
plants, fish, and humans are some of the
organisms that have undergone genetic
modification. With the aid of in vitro genetic
engineering techniques, desired DNA (foreign
DNA) is introduced and incorporated into
transgenic organisms to create GMOs.
However, the source of donor DNA is not the
GMOs themselves.
INTRODUCTION
The term "genetically modified organisms"
(GMO) refers to creatures whose DNA has
been altered to change certain traits. We can
alter an organism's traits by altering its
genome, which is its genetic makeup and is
contained within the chromosomes' nucleic
acids. Genome editing is a technique for
making precise alterations to an organism's
or cell's DNA. A specific region of DNA is cut
by an enzyme, and when the cell repairs the
damage, the sequence is altered or "edited."
INTRODUCTION
With the aid of in vitro genetic engineering
techniques, desired DNA (foreign DNA) is
introduced and incorporated into transgenic
organisms to create GMOs. However, the
source of donor DNA is not the GMOs
themselves. Thus, a fish that receives and
incorporates a gene from a daffodil is similarly
transgenic as a carp whose genome has
had a sequence from its own DNA inserted
into it. Auto- transgenic (donor and recipient of
the same species) and allo-transgenic (donor
and recipient of different species) are the two
categories into which transgenics fall.
 U s e s a n d Application of
Genetically M o di fi e d
Organism
A. Agriculture
Scientists, policymakers, consumers, farmers, and politicians now all have a keen
interest in the subject of genetically modified crops. Despite the potential benefits of
these crops, public opposition is drastically altering global import/export laws, food
safety standards, and farming methods. Genetically Modified Organisms in
Agriculture offers a thorough analysis of the topic and a fair assessment of the
advantages and disadvantages of GMO products.
Ben ef i t s o f GMOs i n Agriculture
One of the most commonly used examples of GMOs is agricultural plants.
Increased crop yields, lower costs for food or drug production, less need for
pesticides, improved nutrient composition and food quality, pest and disease
resistance, greater food security, and medical benefits for the world's expanding
population are a few advantages of genetic engineering in agriculture.
 U s e s a n d Application of
Genetically M o di fi e d
Organism
B. Aquaculture
GMOs are living things with altered genetic makeup. Gene technology has already
made significant improvements to plant output in agriculture. Commercial GM
crops were first made available in the world in 1996, and since then, crop
production has increased significantly.
Over 70 different varieties of transgenic agricultural species are sown on more
than 60 million hectares of land worldwide. However, genetic engineering is now
also being used in studies on genetically altered animals used in aquaculture,
primarily fish.
Ben ef i t s o f GMOs i n Aquaculture
The use of gene technology in aquaculture has a wide range of potential
advantages, including the production of fish with greater disease resistance,
increased temperature tolerance, and faster growth rates. Fish have been altered
 U s e s a n d Application of
Genetically M o di fi e d
Organism
GMO i n F o o d Industry
The industrial food business is constantly expanding its use of food enzymes
(FE). These FE are primarily produced by microbial fermentation, which employs
strains that are both wild- type (WT) and genetically modified (GM). By improving
the fermentation procedure, either by employing genetically modified
microorganism (GMM) strains or by creating recombinant enzymes, the yield of
FE can be enhanced. This article gives a broad overview of the many techniques
used to make FE preparations and describes how using GMM might boost
production yield.
 U s e s a n d Application of
Genetically M o di fi e d
Organism
GMO i n B i o m e d i c a l Research
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) marks a significant
advancement in biological sciences and medical research, with GMOs becoming
more and more crucial in the search for and creation of novel therapeutics. Over
10,000 diseases are caused by a single defective gene, and most diseases, from
cancer to dementia, are somewhat influenced by our genetic make-up. With the
use of GMOs, scientists and researchers can better understand how human and
animal genes function as well as the function of genes in particular diseases.
The development of new and more effective techniques for producing antibodies to
cure disease, generating and producing medications, and creating vaccinations to
prevent disease (such as an HIV vaccine) all depend on GMO-based medical
research. Another crucial field of research concerns the development of antibodies
and vaccinations using genetic alteration and recombinant DNA.
P o s s i b l e future
a p p l i c a t i o n s include:
1. Raising marine fish in fresh water
2. Manipulating the length of reproductive cycles
3. Increasing the tolerance of aquaculture species to
wider ranges of environmental conditions
4. Enhancing nutritional qualities and taste
5.Controlling sexual maturation to prevent
carcass deterioration as fish age
6. Using transgenic fish as pollution monitors
7. Creating fish that act as pollution monitors
8. Enabling fish to use plants as a source of
protein
9. Using fish to produce pharmaceutical
products
10.Improving host resistance to a variety of
pathogens, such as Infectious Haematopoietic
I m p a c t s o f Genetically
Modified Organism
0 Environment
al
1
0f Socia
l
l
0 Health and
Economic
S
ENVIRONMENTAL
The aquaculture industry's main effects
include overfishing, the spread of disease
and parasites, the introduction and spread of
exotic species, chemical pollution, habitat
destruction for the establishment of the farm
or as a result of farm activities, and the
eradication of predators that feed on the
farmed species.
ENVIRONMENTAL
These impacts are dictated by three main factors –
1.Species in production – For culturing species with
higher trophic level position, the requirement of feed input
will be more, thereby releasing large quantity of wastes.
2.Location of production – The impact on environment due to
farm outputs (waste, amplified disease or parasites, escapes
of cultured stock, or killing of predators) will be high in
ecologically sensitive locations, such as mangroves, coastal
estuaries and migration of fish routes.
3.System of production – Open net pens are completely
open and thus, anything that happens in the farm can be
transferred to outside of the farm whereas closed
containment system contains all inputs and outputs within
itself.
SOCIAL IMPACTS
Aquaculture production is also seen to have significant social
effects, and there are many conflicts in the globe today.
Traditional livelihood, community displacement, and
exploitative labor practices are among the main conflicts. The
main cause of social effects is the export- driven
manufacturing of commodities like shrimp, where businesses
aim to maximize profits by taking advantage of
underdeveloped nations with lax rules.
HUMAN HEALTH RISKS
Whether or whether GMOs are safe for human
consumption is one of the main worries held by the public.
According to a number of reports, eating GM fish is just as
safe as eating fish raised traditionally22, 29. There may be
issues for one of two reasons: (a) if the DNA is derived from
an allergenic protein; or (b) if the transgenic results in the
expression of an inactive toxin gene22. A regulatory
evaluation process of the inserted gene on a case-by-case
basis might be able to lessen these risks. The introduction
of a transgene into the host DNA may have toxic effects29.
An dormant toxin gene may potentially be produced in a
fish species that is normally safe if a transgenic were to be
inserted.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The introduction of crop biotechnology over the previous 17
years has produced significant economic gains. In all
nations, the GM IR characteristics have primarily increased
earnings through improved yields. Reduced production costs
(less money spent on insecticides) have also benefited many
farmers, particularly in industrialized nations.
Overall, there is a sizable body of research in peer-reviewed
literature that quantifies the beneficial economic
consequences of crop biotechnology, which is presented in
this study. The financial impact of this technology on farms
varies significantly between and within areas, nations, and/or
continents. For some trait, crop, and country combinations, this
technique may still overestimate or underestimate the impact
of GM technology, particularly when the technology has
improved yields.
Ethical I s s u e s of
Genetically
Modified
Organism in
Coastal
E n v i ro n m e n t ,
a n d B i o di v e r s i ty
The p re s e n t d y s t o p i a n
s i t u a t i o n differs f ro m s u c h
a n idyllic l a n d s c a p e d u e to:
(a) Large and often implicit uncertainties that allow biased decisions, often against
a sustainable coastal future;
(b) Corrupted analyses linked to limited ethics and diverging interests that lead
to aggravated conflicts;
(c)Unmotivated stakeholder cooperation due to social inertia or contradictory
expert opinions;
(d) Reactive compromises because of personal interests or perceived threats,
which result in inefficient adaptation; and
(e) Lack of decision making, due to overwhelming uncertainties and pervasive
pessimism that result in inactiveness.
The s c i e n t i f i c w o r l d
should support this
t r a n s f o r m a t i o n by:
(a) Bounding and making explicit the inherent uncertainties with larger data sets
and improved knowledge;
(b) Increasing social and economic confidence on observational and numerical
results, based on cross-disciplinary analysis impelled by balanced ethics;
(c) Proactive decisions linked to available forecast and projection products that
apply and share such anticipated information; and
(d) Cooperative commitment based on stakeholder optimism and trust on the
co-designed interventions and criteria.
Building on the ability of coastal systems to heal themselves naturally and adopting
jump-start measures to promote recovery if going dangerously near to tipping
points would make coastal adaptation pathways under climate change more
sustainable. In order to turn degraded coastal regions into high quality habitats,
these interventions should target the source of the issue (such as sediment
starvation, coastal rigidification, etc.). At this point, ethical considerations must be
made when calculating the often difficult to measure natural resilience capacity.

The development of coastal protected areas, which follow the path of marine
protected areas and national parks on land, is a classic example. These areas offer
mid- to long-term advantages, such biodiversity, which are difficult to commercialize
but are necessary to build healthy and resilient coasts. These coastal protected
zones will give room for coastal dynamics and habitat for coastal ecosystems,
reuniting the natural coastal capital (represented by its biodiversity and ecosystem
services) with littoral socio-economic assets that are essential for the welfare of
coastal communities.
Processes of Genetic Modification
Production of GMOs is a multistage process which can be summarized
as follows:
1.Gene of interest is identified
2.Gene is isolated
3.The gene is amplified to produce many copies
4.The gene is then associated with an appropriate promoter and poly
A sequence and inserted into plasmids
5.The plasmid is multiplied in bacteria and the cloned construct for
injection is recovered
6.The construct is transferred into the recipient tissue, usually
fertilized eggs
7.Gene is integrated into recipient genome
8.Gene is expressed in recipient genome; inheritance of gene
through further generations.
Why are GMOs Produced?
The main reasons for genetic manipulation of species used in
aquaculture are;
a)Enhancing growth and/or efficiency of food conversion
b)Enhancing muscle characteristics for commercial purposes
c)Controlling reproductive activity and/or sexual phenotype
d)Increasing resistance of species to disease causing
microorganisms
e)Increasing tolerance to/of environmental variables such as
temperature
f)Modifying behaviour, e.g. aggression
g)Controlling fertility and/or viability
List o f e x a m p l e o f Currently U s e
Genetically M o d i f i e d O r g a n i s m s
Herbicide tolerance
An example is soybean. Glyphosate
herbicide (Roundup) tolerance conferred
by expression of a glyphosate-tolerant
form of the plant enzyme 5-
enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate
synthase (EPSPS) isolated from the soil
bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens
List o f e x a m p l e o f Currently U s e
Genetically M o d i f i e d O r g a n i s m s

Insect resistance
An exampleis Bt corn. Resistance to insect
pests, specifically the European corn borer,
through expression of the insecticidal
protein Cry1Ab from Bacillus thuringiensis.
List o f e x a m p l e o f Currently U s e
Genetically M o d i f i e d O r g a n i s m s
Altered fatty acid composition
High laurate levels achieved by inserting the gene for ACP
thioesterase from the California bay tree Umbellularia californica
Virus resistance
Resistance to plum pox virus conferred by insertion of a coat protein
(CP) gene from the virus
Fortification
Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, is introduced through
biosynthesis in the endosperm of the golden rice. This is a practical
way to provide poor farmers subsistence crop capable of adding
much needed Vitamin A to avoid high risk of infection, diseases and
blindness.
 List o f e x a m p l e o f Currently U s e
Genetically M o d i f i e d O r g a n i s m s
Vaccines
Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in transgenic
tobacco induces immune response when injected into mice
Faster maturation
A type 1 growth hormone gene injected into fertilized fish eggs results in
6.2% retention of the vector at one year of age, as well as significantly
increased growth rates
Flower production
Several traits of ornamental plants have already been modified including
flower color, fragrance, flower shape, plant architecture, flowering time,
postharvest life and resistance for both biotic and abiotic stresses. Transgenic
ornamentals the most common techniques being Agrobacterium-mediated
transformation and particle bombardment.
 List o f e x a m p l e o f Currently U s e
Genetically M o d i f i e d O r g a n i s m s
Paper production
Scientists identified an enzyme in other plants that contain more digestible
lignin monomers. The resulting trees showed no difference in growth and
strength, but their lignin showed improved digestibility.
Bioremediation
Biomolecular engineering approaches develops GMOs for the degradation of
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like polyaromatic hydrocarbons PAHs,
polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs, and pesticides. Recently, several
developments in the field of recombinant DNA technologies have been carried
out to achieve safe and efficient bioremediation of contaminated sites
List o f e x a m p l e o f Currently U s e
Genetically M o d i f i e d O r g a n i s m s
 Ri s ks a n d C o n t ro v e r s i e s
S u r ro u n d i n g t h e U s e o f G M O s
Unintended Impacts on Other Species
The controversy surrounding Bt corn is one instance of the public discussion
about the usage of genetically engineered plants. A Bacillus thuringiensis
protein is expressed in Bt corn. The protein was successfully utilized as an eco-
friendly insecticide for many years before to the creation of the recombinant
corn. It had long been known to be harmful to a number of pestiferous insects,
including the monarch caterpillar. The advantage of corn plants producing this
protein is that farmers will need to use less insecticide on their crops as a result.
Regrettably, seeds harboring recombinant protein genes may unintentionally
disseminate recombinant genes or expose non-target species to fresh
environmental toxins.
 Ri s ks a n d C o n t ro v e r s i e s
S u r ro u n d i n g t h e U s e o f G M O s
Unintended Economic Consequences
By obtaining trade secret protection, plant breeder's rights, and patents for
inventions, biotech corporations aim to safeguard their technologies and
goods. Given the high expense of creating and testing plants, GMO seeds
may be pricey. Transgenic plants are frequently out of reach for the farmers
who stand to benefit from them the most.
Ecological imbalance
Introduction of the GMOs in the natural environment may cause disruption of
the natural communities through competition or interference.
Mutation in organism
Genetic modification promotes mutation in organism which the long term
effect is still unknown. It may mutate to become more resistant or virulent
that may cause more dreadful diseases for human beings.
 Ri s ks a n d C o n t ro v e r s i e s
S u r ro u n d i n g t h e U s e o f G M O s
Produce new pathogen
Genetic recombination, mutations, and other causes all contribute to this variation. A
certain group can grow more prevalent, reproduce more frequently, and emerge as a
novel pathogen variety that can harm its hosts in specific biological or environmental
circumstances.
Potential human risk.
Some people are concerned that because transgenic crops are neither naturally
occurring or grown organically, the potential for GMO to become a pest and a threat if it
escapes into the environment.
Toxin and allergen production may negatively affect a person's health. The
balance of the microorganisms already present in the human digestive tract
may also be affected.
Bioterrorism
Many countries and regions have establishes high tech facilities for vaccine or single-cell
protein production that could be hub for the reproduction of biological weapons One
example is the USSR's 'invisible anthrax', resulting from the introduction of an alien gene
 Biosafety o n GMOs
On September 11, 2003, “the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)” has been
adopted by 167 parties to recognize the need of biosafety in GE research and
development activities. The Protocol entered into force, and its main objectives are:

a) To set up the procedures for safe trans-boundary movement of living modified

organisms,
b)Harmonize principles and methodology for risk assessment and establish a
mechanism for information sharing through the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH).

Research involving GE and GMOs requires prior clearance from the nation's relevant
regulatory bodies. It is necessary to abide by the suggested recommendations for
reducing biosafety concerns. The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) or its equivalent
entity, which is comprised of experts from many pertinent disciplines, is the main
regulating body at the level of research institutes.According to the safety level of the
experiments to be performed, the IBSC ensures the availability of the fundamental
biosafety equipment needed.
 Activity N o . 9
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISM
Essay: Answer the following questions:

1.What benefits and drawbacks do genetically modified organisms have?

2.Will you consume or eat food that contains GMOs? If not, why not?
3.How are GMOs produced or altered?
4.a. Is it advantageous to use GMO crops to feed the population of our
nation?
b. Are genetically engineered organisms an impending disaster?
5. .List the GMOs that the Philippine government considers acceptable for
consumer sale.
Thank
you!
Do you have any
questions?