SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

D life more and more

UNIT IV:TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT:ISSUES
AND IMPLICATIONS
MODULE 14

LESSON LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

A. To be acquainted with genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology;

B. Understand how genetic influence our society.

TOPICS:

1. Genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology

TOPIC PRESENTATION

A.GENETIC ENGINEERING/ RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

- A technique that allows genes and DNA to be transferred from one

source to another.

- it is the artificial modification of an organism’s genetic composition.

- Typically involves transferring genes from one organism into another

organism of a different species to give the other specific traits of the
former. The resulting organism is called a transgenic or genetically
modified organism, or GMO
- It leads to the production of living modified organisms or genetically
modified organisms.

IMPORTANCE:
1. used on microorganism help in the creation of new pharmaceuticals which
cannot be made in any other way.
2. it helps in the process of bio-remediation which is the process of cleaning up
waste and pollution with the help of living organisms.
3. It has helped lower the overall usage of herbicides and pesticides
4. has help in the production of vaccines and other drugs in plants
5. .has produced very useful genetically modified breeds which can tolerate
factory farming without any suffering
6. used to treat genetic disorders and cancer and also helps in supplying body
parts
7. Certain bacterial sequences are manipulated to transform waste into ethanol,
so that it can be used as fuel.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or Transgenic organisms

- A plant, animal, microorganisms, or other organism whose genetic makeup
has been modified using rDNA methods.
- The result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species
are extracted and artificially inserted into the genes of unrelated plant or
animal.

Overview of Recombinant DNA Technology

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

GENETIC ENGINEERING/ RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

1. A gene must be isolated and well characterized before it can be used in

genetic manipulation.
2. Isolation of plasmid and DNA containing gene of interest. The gene of
interest is inserted into the vector DNA in vitro.

Two major categories of enzymes involved:

a. Restriction endonucleases
- acts as scissors to cut DNA at specific sites.
b. DNA ligase
- acts as glue that joins 2 DNA molecules.
- In the figure, the vector is a plasmid.
Plasmids
- are circular pieces of bacterial DNA that often contain genes not related to
basic life functions but it provides bacteria with genetic advantages such as
antibiotic resistance.

3. This recombinant vector DNA is taken up by a cell such as a bacterium,

where it can multiply and grown in culture to form a clone of many identical
cells. Each of which carries copies of the vector. DNA vectors are often called
gene-cloning vectors.

ADVANTAGES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

1) It allows for faster growth rate
- Genetic engineering allows plants and animals to be modified so their
maturity can occur at a quicker pace. Engineering can allow this
maturity to occur outside of the normal growth conditions that are
favorable without genetic changes as well.
2) It can create an extended life
- Genetic modification can help to create resistance to common forms of
organism death. Pest resistance can be included into the genetic
profiles modified to reduce the risks of common health concerns that
may affect the breed or species
3) Specific traits can be developed

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- Plants and animals can have specific traits develop through genetic
engineering that make them more attractive to use or consumption.
Different colors can be created to produce a wider range of color,
Animals can be modified to produce more milk, grow more muscle
tissue, or produce different coats so that a wider of fabrics can be
created.
4) New products can be created
- With genetic engineering, new products can be created by adding or
combining different profiles together. One example of this is potato,
and alter its profile so that it can produce more nutrients per Kcal than
w/o genetic engineering. This makes it possible for more people to get
what they need nutritionally. Even if there food access is limited, and
this could potentially reduce global food insecurity.
5) Greater yields can be produced
- It can also change the traits of plants and animals so that they can
produce greater yields per plant. More fruits can be produce per tree,
which creates a greater food supply and more profits for a farmer.
Using modified organisms in multiple ways because there is greater
yield available. Modified corn, for example, can be used for specific
purposes such us animal feed, ethanol, or large cobs for human
consumption,
6) Risk to the local water supply are reduced.
- Because farmers and growers do not need to apply as many pesticides
or herbicides to their cropland due to genetic engineering, fewer
applications to the soil need to occur. This protects the local water
shed and reduces the risk of an adverse events occurring w/o risking
the yield and profitability that is needed.
7) It is a scientific practice that has been in place for millennia
- Genetic engineering just speed up this process and can predict an
outcome with greater regularity

RISKS RELATED TO THE USE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS:

1. Genetic contamination / interbreeding

- Introduced GMOs may interbreed with the wild-type or sexually
compatible relatives. The novel trait may disappear in wild types
unless it confers a selective advantage to the recipient. However,
tolerance abilities of wild types may also develop, thus altering the
native species’ ecological relationship and behaviour.

2. Introduced GMOs may interbreed with the wild-type or sexually

compatible relatives.
- The novel trait may disappear in wild types unless it confers a selective
advantage to the recipient. However, tolerance abilities of wild types
may also develop, thus altering the native species’ ecological
relationship and behaviour.
4. Ecosystem Impacts
- The effects of changes in a single species may extend well b beyond to
the ecosystem. Single impacts are always joined by the risk of
ecosystem damage and destruction.
3. Horizontal Transfer of Recombinant Genes to Other Microorganisms
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the acquisition of foreign genes (via
transformation, transduction, and conjugation) by organisms in a variety

EXAMPLES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

1. Mouse-ear cress
This is a small invasive species, and we know a great deal about its genes. This
little plant helps us understand the hereditary nature of numerous plant

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

characteristics relating to drought, low nitrogen requirements, low temperatures

and freezing, high temperatures, light ( e.g. shade ), tolerance to UV radiation,
photosynthetic activity, low pH and aluminum in the soil, high pH, growth speed,
flowering period, greenness during maturation time, plant architecture, fertility,
organ size, ramification form, stem width, ozone, high carbon dioxide, high
nitrogen, carbon/nitrogen, seed morphology, biotic resistance, and the
composition of seed oil, seed proteins, lignin and sterols. After the genes for
these characteristics are found in the mouse-ear cress, they can be used to
modify cultivated species.
2. Bananas

- In many countries around the world bananas are the main source of
calories. According to reports from Uganda, their production is
compromised by the emergence of new diseases, Ugandan scientist have
successfully used a genetic modification, inserting a pepper gene into
bananas, which prevents the fruit from getting the disease.
3. Golden Rice

- On July 31st, Ingo Potryskus on the cover of Time magazine. The Swiss
scientist and his German colleague Peter Beyerhad produced a breed of
rice which, unlike any other, also contains provitamin A. the lack of this
vitamin is especially harmful to the poorest and is estimated to cause
blindness among 250,000 – 500,000 children everyday year. Another two
million people a year die from other deficiency-related causes. So far, the
measures taken to introduce vitamin supplements have not yet reached
those poor countries. Because of its color, the product was first given the
name golden rice, which remains the same to this day. After concluding
numerous tests, researchers from the International Rice Research Institute
in the Philippines have proven that even small amounts of the rice are
sufficient, and that it is absolutely safe. Unfortunately, partly due to the
vandalism of “green” activists, the rice has yet to reach its target group in
2011, which contains four times as much iron as the regular one, and
could therefore save more lives.
4. Carrots that help prevent osteoporosis

- In 2004, an American research team transferred a CAX1 gene mouse-ear

cress into carrots so that they contained larger amounts of organically
bound calcium. In 2008, they performed a study where such carrots were
tested on mice and 30 volunteers, and the results showed that humans
absorbed 42% more calcium from the modified carrots than from regular
ones. The aim of this test was to help prevent osteoporosis, while the
emphasis was on its biodiversity in target tissues.
5. Drug producing Chicken

- A group of scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, have developed a

GM chicken that lays eggs containing medicinal proteins. Egg-whites are
naturally loaded with a protein called ovalbumin. What the group of
scientists did was introduced the gene for a foreign protein, instead of the
ovalbumin gene, in a set of chickens. Consequently, the eggs of these GM
chickens were loaded with the foreign protein .Although a bit bizarre, this
attempt if successful, will provide an easy way to generate large amounts
of medicinal proteins useful for treatment of anemia, certain cancers,
haematological disorders, etc. The ultimate result one may expect is
availability of these drugs at comparatively lower prices.
6. Onions that do not make you cry

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- In 2008, a New Zealand research team lead by Colin Eady produced an

onion that does not make you cry while cutting it. Interestingly, the
insertion of a single gene which down regulates the activity of the onion
enzyme that make your eyes water, and secondly, they now have even
more health beneficial sulphur-containing substance than regular onions.
- of environmental situations. It occurs especially in response to
changing environments and provides organisms, especially
prokaryotes, with access to genes other than those that can be
inherited.  HGT of an introduced gene from a GMO may confer a novel
trait in another organism, which could be a source of potential harm to
the health of people or the environment.

CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY

- An international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling,
transport, and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity,
taking also into account risks to human health.

IMPORTANCE OF GMO
I.GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries

The center for Ecoenergetics and Environmental Health ( CEEH, 2013 )

identified the following roles of GMOs in the food and agricultural industries:

1. Pest resistance
- genetically modified plants to resist certain pests.
- an example is Bt corn. The DNA ( genome) of the Bt Corn has modified
with the gene of Bacillus thuregensis, a soil bacterium that produces
protein which is toxic to corn borers ( worm)

2. Virus resistance
- genetically modified plants to resist certain viruses
- an example is GM papaya or rainbow papaya
- The papaya ringspot virus ( PRSV)is known to be detrimental to
papaya, The protein of PRSV was introduced to the papaya plant
through the plant tissue which turned out to be resistant to the virus
itself. The effect was like the vaccines humans have against measles or
influenza virus

3. Herbicide tolerance
- Tolerate herbicides
- An example is Roundup Ready soybean. Glyphosate, an herbicide for
weeds, was introduced to soybeans making it tolerant to the herbicide
itself. Farmers then can spray the herbicide killing the weeds but not
the soybeans.
4. Fortification
- genetically modified plants fortified with certain minerals
- An example is golden Rice. Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A,
was introduced through biosynthesis genes to the rice, making the rice
grains fortified with vitamin A.
5. Cosmetic preservation
- genetically modified plants resist natural discoloration
- An example is Arctic Apple, the apple variety was genetically modified
to suppress the browning of apple due to superficial damage

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

6. Increase growth rate

- a genetically modified organism that has higher yield in growth than
normal species
- An example is Aqua Advantage salmon. A gene from an ocean pout, an
eel-like fish was introduced to Pacific Chinook salmon, making the
salmon grow faster than its normal rate.

II.GMOs IN NON-FOOD CROPS AND MICROORGANISMS

1. Flower production
- GMOs in flower production are seen in modified color and extended
vase life
- Examples are the so called “blue” roses, which are, in reality, lilac or
purple, contained cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, together with large amount
of flavonols
2. Paper production
- Modified characteristics of trees for higher yield of paper production
- Examples are poplar trees ,Lignin is a complex polymer in trees that
removed from wood to make paper through kraft process, through
inserting genes that code for ferulic acid in young poplar trees, the
lignin structure is modified, making lignin easier to breakdown.
3. Pharmaceutical productions
- Modified plants to produce pharmaceutical products
- Examples are periwinkle plants. Bacterial genes were added to the
periwinkle plants to enhance the production of vinblastine, an alkaloid
usually added to drugs for cancer treatments like Hodgkin’s lymphoma

4. Bioremediation
- Use modified plants that can assist in the bioremediation of polluted
sites
- An example is shrub tobacco, Nicotiana glauca, or shrub tobacco
genetically modified with phytochelatin TaPCSII, is used for
bioremediation. It shows high level accumulation of zinc, lead,
cadmium, nickel, and boron and produces high biomass.

5. Enzyme and Drug production

- Use of microorganisms that can produce enzyme for food processing
and medicines
- One example of this is CGTase ( cyclomaltodextrin glycosyltransferase,
an enzyme used for food flavor enhancer, is produced in higher
quantity by bacterium Bacillus which was genetically modified with the
gene of a thermophilic anaerobe, thermoanaerobacter, carrying
CGTase

6. GMOs in the medical field

- Genetic engineering is playing a significant role from diagnosis to
treatment of human-dreaded diseases. It helps in the production of
drugs, gene therapy, and laboratory researches
- One classic example is Humulin, the genetically engineered insulin
used by Type 1 diabetes patients who are insulin-dependent, in the
past, insulin is extracted from the pancreases of pigs and cows that
have caused allergic reactions to some diabetics using it.

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

BENEFITS OF GMOS
1. Higher efficiency in farming
2. Increased in harvest
3. Control in fertility
4. Increase in food processing
5. Improvement of desirable characteristics

OTHER DIRECT AND INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS CAUSED BY GMOS

1. Direct environmental risks:

a. may cause disruption of the natural communities through competition
or interference
b. . the possibility of an unexpected behavior of the GMOs in the
environment if it escapes its intended use and may post threats or
become pest
c. . may cause harmful effects to the ecosystem process if GMOs
interfere with the natural biochemical cycles
d. The persistent of GMO genes after its harvest which may cause
negative to the consumer of GMO products

2. Indirect environment risk

a. Alteration of agricultural practices like managing negative impacts of
GMOs to the environment such as evolution of insects, pests, and
weeds that became resistant to GMO crops
b. May have impacts to biodiversity caused by the alteration in
agricultural practices
c. May have varied environmental impacts due to GMOs interaction and
release in the natural environment

POTENTIAL HUMAN HEALTH RISK CAUSED BY GMOS

1. May have adverse effects since it is not naturally or organically produced

2. May alter the balance of existing microorganisms in the human digestive
system
3. Production of toxins may be detrimental to human health
4. Production of allergens may have adverse effects on human

Worldwide, there are many groups that campaign against GMO food consumption.
They encourage people to boycott GMO products and to be vigilant in checking if
the food they buy has GMO ingredients. In the Philippines, the Supreme Court has
ruled against the use of Bt eggplant, another genetically modified crop

OTHER POTENTIAL RISKS THAT RAISE MAJOR CONCERN ARE:

1. Human genome Project ( HPG)

- Mapping of human genes to provide framework for research and
studies in the field of medicine. It was feared that the ability to
produce human genetic information would create biases and give
much power to people holding the information and to the
disadvantages of those who do not have the genetic information.
2. Mutation of genetically engineered microorganisms

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- Genetically modified bacteria and viruses may mutate to become more

resistant or virulent that may cause more dreadful diseases for human
beings
3. Cloning
- The asexual reproduction of an organism using parent cell through
genetic engineering. In February 24, 1997, the first mammal, Dolly, a
sheep from Scotland, was born through cloning. With its celebrated
success came the fear of human cloning. It emerge the ethical issue of
man “playing God”
The primary issue on GMOs presented in public debate it its unnatural production or
what is termed to be violation of nature. The creation of new organism, like GMOs,
post moral issues on defiance to natural laws< another concern is the potential
risks to the environment and human health, to which so much is unknown yet.

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