2. What is a Genetically Modified Organism?
• 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
3. How does this differ from Mendel and his peas?
GM vs Selective Breeding
Selective breeding
• Slow
• Imprecise
• Modification of genes that naturally occur in
the organism
GM
• Very fast
• Precise
• Can introduce genes into an organisms that
would not naturally occur!
4. Genetic engineering vs agricultural breeding
• Artificial selection has influenced the genetic
makeup of livestock and crops for thousands of
years.
• Proponents of GM crops say GM foods are safe.
• Critics of GM foods say:
– Traditional breeding uses genes from the same
species.
– Selective breeding deals with whole organisms, not
just genes.
– In traditional breeding, genes come together on their
own.
7. Biotechnology is impacting our lives
• Biotechnology: the material
application of biological science to
create products derived from
organisms
• Transgenic organism: an organism
that contains DNA from another
species
–Transgenes: the genes that have
moved between organisms
8. GMO in Medicine
• Insulin (e.g., SemBioSys Genetics
Inc- saflower)
• Clotting factors
• Atryn (anticoagulant).
• Banana vaccines
• Cancer fighting eggs
22. Genetically Modified Foods
Experts say 60% to 70% of processed
foods on U.S. grocery shelves have
genetically modified ingredients.
Common GM crops:
• Soybeans
• Corn
• Cotton
23. Genetically Modified Foods
Cons
• Introducing allergens and toxins to food
• Accidental cross pollination
• Antibiotic resistance
• Creation of "super" weeds and other
environmental risks
24. Genetically Modified Foods
Pros
• Increased pest and disease resistance
• Grow food in harsh climate
• Increased food supply (more food/acre)
• More nutritional value
• Make drugs
Ring spot virus
26. GMO Controversy in Hawaii
http://hawaiiseed.org/local-issues/taro/
• Undermines the genetic integrity of taro, sacred to the
Hawaiian people;
• Threatens the taro market and livelihood of taro farmers.
Taro production yields over 6 million pounds annually
valued at $3.3 million.
• Threatens the biodiversity of the taro plant;
• Could cause new, unexpected problems in taro
cultivation;
• Could contaminate traditional varieties of taro and take
away taro farmers’ ability to choose what they grow in
their lo’i; and
• Overlooks the wealth of traditional knowledge about
growing taro that has been passed down through
generations.
27. Inquiry
1. Provide three potential benefits
and drawbacks of GMOs.
2. What benefit does golden rice
provide?
3. What is a transgene?
4. Which organism is most often
used in GM?
28. 5. Dog breeds are an example of
A) Artificial selection
B) Natural selection
C) Genetic modification
Inquiry
