gmo lecture cpsc113
TRANSCRIPT
Genetically Modified Organisms
When you hear the word GMOs, what first comes to your mind?
A. Danger/Something badB. FarmersC. MonsantoD. Good/Something helpfulE. Nothing/ I don’t really know what a
GMO is….
What is a GMO? A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. » Genetic engineering alters the genetic
make-up of an organism using techniques that remove heritable material or that introduce DNA prepared outside the organism either directly into the host or into a cell that is then fused or hybridized with the host. This involves using recombinant nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) techniques to form new combinations of heritable genetic material followed by the incorporation of that material into the host organism.
Video!!
DNA from
Species #1
DNA from Species #2
Recombinant DNA
• Recombinant nucleic acids (rDNA or rRNA) are the general name for result of taking a piece of one DNA and combining it with another strand of DNA. Recombinant DNA molecules are sometimes called chimeric DNA, because they are usually made of material from two different species.
• If genetic material from another species is added to the host, the resulting organism is called transgenic.
• If genetic material from the same species or a species that can naturally breed with the host is used the resulting organism is called cisgenic.
• Traditional breeding encompasses all plant breeding methods that do not fall under current GMO regulations.
GMO organisms are really not fundamentally different from other
means of plant breeding and genetics that have been extensively used.
Do you:A. Agree with the statementB. Disagree with the statementC. Not sure / No opinion on the statement
Controversy starting with… definitions?• In the United States, genetic engineering
does not normally include traditional animal and plant breeding, in vitro fertilization, induction of polyploidy, mutagenesis, and cell fusion techniques that do not use recombinant nucleic acids or a genetically modified organism in the process. The above listed techniques would be considered means for genetic modification.
• However, the European Commission has defined genetic engineering broadly as including selective breeding and other means of artificial selection such as those techniques listed above. Thus, in Europe genetic modification is synonymous with genetic engineering.
GMOs are everywhere
GMOs are the source of genetically modified foods. About 70% of all processed
foods in North America contain transgenic material.
They are also widely used in scientific research and to
produce goods other than food.
GMOs
Animals
PlantsMicrobes
GMO ResearchAgriculture• Improvement of crop yields• Herbicide resistance• Insect resistance• Drought, frost, and disease
resistance• Increased tolerance to salinity,
floods, and low nutrients • Increased nutrients produced
– Golden rice• Vaccines transport/intake
Medicine• Human insulin injections • Human growth hormone,
HGH• Blood clotting factor VIII• Hepatitis B vaccine • Diagnosing HIV infection
Most GMOs have been engineered for pest resistance and weed control.
• Reduces the amount of chemicals sprayed into the environment.
• Reduces the use of fossil fuels to apply chemicals.
European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis
• One of the most damaging insect pests of corn throughout the United States and Canada.
• Losses resulting from European Corn Borer damage and control costs exceed $1 billion each year.
• Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces Cry toxins that have specific activities against insect species.
• Can be used in organic food production
• Used to produce GM plants that can combat insect feeding
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) - 1996
Roundup Ready Crops - 1996 • Roundup Ready crops are crops
genetically modified to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup. Roundup is the brand-name of a herbicide produced by Monsanto. Its active ingredient glyphosate was patented in the 1970s.
• These crops were developed to help farmers control weeds. Because the new crops are resistant to Roundup, the herbicide can be used in the fields to eliminate unwanted sensitive plants. Current Roundup Ready crops include soy, corn, canola, alfalfa, and cotton.
Stacked traits are more common
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption.aspx#.Uxjp_IWmXLk
Why do you think most farmers use genetically engineered (GE) crops?
A. Better for the environmentB. Saves time and helps farm managementC. Increases yieldD. Overall land appearance is betterE. None of these
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm143980.htm
First Approval: GTC’s ATryn® Producing GE Goats
A specific hemizygous diploid line of domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) containing 5 copies of the Bc6 transgene located at the GTC 155-92 site directing the expression of the human gene for antithrombin (which is intended for the treatment of humans) in the mammary gland of goats derived from Founder 155-92.
ATryn Goat Approval (2/6/09)
2 Separate Legal Actions:• CVM NADA approval:
– rDNA construct in GE goat to produce rh antithrombin in milk
• CBER BLA approval for ATryn:– Anticlotting agent for individuals with hereditary clotting disorders in high risk situations
Mixing Spider DNA and Goat Embryos Produces Milk with a Side of Silk
• One of those proteins is from the golden orb-weaver spider. Its silk, tougher than Kevlar, is a hundred times stronger than human ligaments. The potential for a light, incredibly resilient fiber is immense: The future might hold anything from spider knee replacements to spider parachutes.
• But aside from being viscerally disgusting, a spider farm just won’t work. Golden orb weavers are cannibalistic. In 2000, Nexia Biotechnology figured out a solution to that problem that reads like science fiction—it bred goats that can produce the silk instead.
• Developments in biotechnology over the past 25 years have allowed scientists to engineer genetically modified (GM) animals for use in various areas of agriculture and medicine.
• The great majority of GM animals and fish are currently only at the research stage.
• Some animals with an anticipated use in food production are close to reaching the grocery shelf
• GM livestock include many different kinds of animals and species modified with the intention of improving economically important traits such as growth-rate, quality of meat, milk composition, disease resistance and survival.
• The number of GM farm animals and fish developed in laboratories is increasing, but for the present the number of species close to entering the market remains small.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871141313000334#
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048106.htm
If you could buy a glow in the dark pet, would you?
A. HELL YES! That would be the coolest thing ever! B. No… way too freaky for me! C. I would, but I’m allergic D. Meh. I have better things to spend my money on.
These animals could cost anywhere between $6,000 and $28,000!
Why do you think some individuals are opposed to GE crops?
A. They are uninformedB. They are ignorant C. They have valid points with regards to
environmental healthD. They have valid points with regards to human
healthE. They do not like the idea of manipulating nature
Cultural AcceptanceGolden Rice– Fortified with Vitamin A– In 2000, 124 million people were
Vitamin A deficient (VAD)– VAD causes blindness and can lead
to death in children if left untreated– Does NOT look or smell or taste the
same as native rice
Two main challenges:
1. Determine how much rice must be consumed to erase Vitamin A deficiency
2. Encouraging consumer acceptance
Realities: - Still not ready- Not needed/not a realistic
solution- Breeding problems- No proof it is safe to eat- Bioavailability of Beta-
carotene- Unethical trials on
humans
Bt and HT Problems Toxins affect non-
target organisms Genetic drift to
invasive weedy species
“Super Species” – naturally resistance members of a population survive and reproduce, unable to be controlled
A transgene can be regarded as having escaped from the
crop if:1. The transgene is transferred by pollination to a wild related plant that persists in agricultural habitats becoming a weed or more weedy
2. The related plant in 1 occupies disturbed habitats associated with agriculture or other human activities i.e. roadsides, waterways, ditches railroad beds
3. The related plant in 1 invades semi-natural habitats i.e. River deltas, saltmarshes, woodlands
Transfer of transgenes to wild subspecies.
JOINTED GOATGRASS(Aegilops cylindrica)
Weed of Winter WheatReduces grain yields and can be a contaminant in winter wheat, reducing prices
Winter annual, spread by seed only.
The potential for a transgene to escape into a wild species does exist in wheat.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/esoa-sft072110.php
Yes, It Can Happen!
So What?1.Genetic erosion –
Centers of diversity2.Genetic pollution of
natural gene pools3.Changes in
invasiveness of the species
1 & 2 are independent of the transgene, while 3 is dependent on the nature of the transgene.
Assumptions about Consumers and Biotechnology
False Accurate
Pro-GMOsFacts = advocates Facts mean less than
phrasesScience sells, fear
failsEmotion often wins
over reason
Against-GMOs
People want to be informed
People do not necessarily want to be
informed
Risks outweigh benefits
Benefits are more important to most people than risks
Bottom line: mainstream consumer education about biotech is largely a branding/labeling issue
Wansink, Brian and Junyon Kim. 2001. “The Marketing Battle Over Genetically Modified Foods.” American Behavioral Scientist (44):8, 1405-1417.
high fructose corn syrup gives a pleasing brown crust to breads enhances
flavors of fruit fillings.
enhances flavor and balances the variable tartness of tomatoes.
greater stability in acidic carbonated sodas, flavors remain consistent and stable over the entire shelf-life of the product.
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!
The lawsuit, filed by California resident Colleen Gallagher, claims that Chipotle’s menu was never free of GMOs at any time, alleging that the meat products come from animals which feed on GMOs such as soy and corn, while the sour cream, cheese and dairy products come from farms that feed animals with GMOs.
Likewise, the complaint points out that the chain sells soft drinks made with corn syrup — also a GMO.
http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/pages/food-labeling.aspx
http://www.ecori.org/massachusetts-farming/2014/3/1/gmo-labeling-in-mass-faces-march-19-deadline.html
GMO labeling initiatives by state: Blue states have introduced GMO labeling legislation in the form of bills, resolutions, or ballot measures. Gray states have yet to review GMO labeling. Green states have passed GMO labeling laws.
