gmo’s genetically modified organisms. selective breeding first stop on the tour of how man is...
Post on 03-Jan-2016
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GMO’s GMO’s
Genetically Modified Genetically Modified OrganismsOrganisms
Selective BreedingSelective Breeding
First stop on the tour of how man is using First stop on the tour of how man is using science to control nature…science to control nature…
Meet the Super Cow VideoMeet the Super Cow Video
GMO’sGMO’s
Subject full of controversySubject full of controversyA GMO is created by taking a gene from A GMO is created by taking a gene from
another organism and inserting it into the new another organism and inserting it into the new organism…organism…This creates an organism with ‘This creates an organism with ‘recombinant DNArecombinant DNA’’
The ProcessThe Process
Research discovered Research discovered restriction enzymesrestriction enzymes – like molecular scissors– like molecular scissorsThey cut DNA so They cut DNA so genesgenes can be extracted can be extracted
The cut DNA has ‘The cut DNA has ‘sticky endssticky ends’, used to ’, used to reattach the gene to another piece of DNAreattach the gene to another piece of DNA
Process cont’d…Process cont’d…
1973 – gene for insulin production inserted 1973 – gene for insulin production inserted into into E. ColiE. ColiBacteria now produced insulin – large Bacteria now produced insulin – large
quantities could be gatheredquantities could be gathered
Previously, insulin was only gathered from the Previously, insulin was only gathered from the pancreas of dead animals and cadaverspancreas of dead animals and cadavers
This was a huge advance in genetic engineeringThis was a huge advance in genetic engineering
Changing ScienceChanging Science
GMO’s have changed the way we treat:GMO’s have changed the way we treat:Diabetics (Diabetics (InsulinInsulin))Haemophiliacs (Haemophiliacs (Blood clotting factorBlood clotting factor))Dwarfism (Dwarfism (Human Growth HormoneHuman Growth Hormone))
Cost decreasedCost decreasedAccessibility increasedAccessibility increased
Good with the BadGood with the Bad(don’t write this down… just read please!)(don’t write this down… just read please!)
FYI: Pigs & Transplants FYI: Pigs & Transplants Pigs organs are similar in size and shape Pigs organs are similar in size and shape
to humans; problem with transplants is to humans; problem with transplants is most commonly rejectionmost commonly rejection Scottish company removed gene from pigs that Scottish company removed gene from pigs that
causes rejection… now organs can be transplanted causes rejection… now organs can be transplanted into humans without fear of rejectioninto humans without fear of rejection
While this decreases wait time for organs and saves While this decreases wait time for organs and saves lives… risk is that humans could contract bovine lives… risk is that humans could contract bovine disease and spread it through human populationdisease 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.
PlantsPlants
GMO research focuses mainly on plantsGMO research focuses mainly on plants Effort to increase yield and decrease need for pesticideEffort to increase yield and decrease need for pesticide
BT CornBT CornGene for Bt toxin from Gene for Bt toxin from
bacteria inserted bacteria inserted
into corn plantsinto corn plantsCorn now produces Corn now produces
natural insecticidenatural insecticide
Flavr Savr TomatoFlavr Savr Tomato
First GMO plant licensed for human First GMO plant licensed for human consumptionconsumption Inserted gene gave tomato better flavour and Inserted gene gave tomato better flavour and
longer shelf lifelonger shelf life
http://archives.cbc.ca/lifestyle/food/topics/1597-10980/
BREAK!BREAK!
The ControversyThe Controversy
People are concerned the insertion of People are concerned the insertion of genes is ‘short – sighted’genes is ‘short – sighted’Not enough long term studies completed to Not enough long term studies completed to
see how the environment may be effectedsee how the environment may be effected
Read this example: Read this example: Monarch ButterfliesMonarch Butterflies
Feeds on milkweed plants Feeds on milkweed plants (grow commonly near (grow commonly near cornfields)cornfields)Pollen from Bt corn lands Pollen from Bt corn lands
on milkweedon milkweedButterflies ingest insecticide Butterflies ingest insecticide
and die or are incapable of and die or are incapable of reproducingreproducing
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: Ex. 2: Terminator Terminator GeneGene
Inserted gene makes it Inserted gene makes it impossible to use seeds impossible to use seeds generated from crops for generated from crops for future plantingsfuture plantingsMakes farmer depend Makes farmer depend
entirely on seed companyentirely on seed companyFarmers from many regions Farmers from many regions
cannot afford to buy seeds cannot afford to buy seeds each new growing seasoneach new growing season
Controversy cont’d…Controversy cont’d…While there are many great While there are many great
things with genetic things with genetic engineering…engineering…Long-term impact on Long-term impact on
environment needs to be environment needs to be determineddetermined
Natural evolution of a species Natural evolution of a species takes decades… this takes decades… this technology makes changing technology makes changing DNA happen overnightDNA happen overnight
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