GMO’sWhat they are, how they are made, and the risks and benefits of Genetically Modified Organisms
By: Jenna Knudtson
Intro to GMO’s
• GMO: stands for Genetically Modified Organisms/Genetically Modified Foods
• Foods made from organisms whose DNA has been specifically changed through genetic engineering
• By 2002: >60% of processed food in US contained at least some GM ingredients
First, Some History
• Humans have been genetically enhancing organisms over 1000’s of years- artificial selection
• Selecting desirable traits• Purebred dogs
• Sweet corn
• Seedless watermelons/grapes
Make Your Own GMO
• Now, instead of selective breeding, geneticists use a sophisticated version of cut and paste
• Visual at right shows one of many methods
• Once new, improved gene is in organism, it gets passed on
Risks
• What would happen if GMO’s mixed with wild populations?
• Although numerous scientific panels conclude eating GMO’s is safe, may be toxic or allergenic to certain people
• Need to keep the old variety for genetic diversity
• Possible evolution of insecticide-resistant “superbugs”
Benefits
• Agriculture• produces larger, higher quality
crops with less effort and expense
• can reduce use of insecticides by making plants resistant to pests
• add nutrients to food in regions where people don’t get enough of that nutrient
• endure weather extremes
• Medicine• make safer and cheaper
vaccines
• “edible” vaccines
• malaria resistant mosquitos
• gene therapy
• Environment• biodegradable plastics
Sources
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/science/gmfoods/
http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/897705/genetically-modified-organism-GMO