GENETICALLY

MODIFIED
ORGANISMS
SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND POLITICS
WHAT IS GMO?
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is the term used
for an organism created through genetic engineering.

According to World Health Organization (WHO,

2014) defines GMO as an “organism, either plant,
animal or microorganism, in which the genetic
material (DNA) has been altered in a what that
does nor occur naturally by mating or natural
recombination.”
It was in 1951 that the term genetic
engineering coined by JACK
WILLIAMSON, author of the science
fiction novel Dragon’s Island
(Stableford 2004). The genetic
process of genetic engineering is the
deliberated manipulation of the
organism’s genes, where it may
involve transfer of genes from other
organism
IN 2001, Rosalie Ellasus, a former
Overseas Filipino Workers in
Singapore turned farmer, attended
the intergrated Pest Management -
Farmers Field School and was
introduce to Bt Corn, a genetically
modified corn that is resistant to the
destructive Asian corn borer.
Bt Corn yielded 7.2 tons per
acre as compared to a regular
yield of 4.2 tons per acre. No
insecticide spraying was needed.
This is one of the success stories
of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) (Ongkiko, 2016).
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
The development of GMOs was perceived to
help in the advancement of technology for the
benefit of humans in different industries like
agfriculture and medicine.
 GMOs IN FOOD AND
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES
The Center for Ecogenetic and Environmental Health (CEEH,
2013) identified the following roles of GMO 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 been modified with the
gene of Bacillus thuringlerusis, a soil
bacterium that produces proteins which is toxic
to corn borers (worms).
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 plants.

The protein of PRSV was introduced to the papaya

plant through plant tissue which turned out to be
resistant to the virus itself. The effect was like the
vaccines human have against measles or influenza
virus.
3. HERBICIDE TOLERANCE
• Genetically modified plants to tolerate herbicide.

An example is Roundup Read Soybean

Glyphosate, an herbicide for weeds, was
introduced to soybeans making it tolerant to the
herbicide itself. Farmers 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 that resist natural
discoloration

An example is Arctic Apple. The

apple variety was genetically
modified to suppress the browning
of apple due to superficial
damage.
6. INCREASE GROWTH RATE
• 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 that its normal
rate.
GMOs IN NON-FOOD CROPS
AND MICROORGANISMS
1.FLOWER PRODUCTION
• GMOs in flower production are seen in modified color
and extended vase life of flowers.

An example are Blue Roses. The

so-called “blue” roses, which are, in
reality, lilac or purple, contained
cyanidin 3-5 diglucoside, together
with large amounts of flavonols.
2. PAPER PRODUCTION
• Modified characteristics of trees for higher yiled of paper
production
An example are Poplar Trees. Lignin is a
complex polymer in trees that is removed
from wood to make paper through kraft
process, through inserting genes that code
for ferulic acid in your poplar trees, the lignin
structure is modified, making lignin easier to
breakdown (Veniza, 2014).
3. PHARMATEUTICAL PRODUCTION
• Modified plants to produce phramateutical products.

An example are Periwinkle Plants.

Bacterial genes were added to the periwinkle
plant to enhance the production of
vinblastine, an alkaloid usually added to
drugs for cancer treatments.
4. BIOREMEDIATION
• Use of modified plants that can assist in the
bioremediation of polluted sites.

An example is Shrubb tobacco. Nicotiana

glauca, or shrubb tobacco genetically
modified with phytochelatin TaPCSII, is used
for bioremediation.

“act as chelators, and

are important for heavy
metal detoxification.”
5. ENZYME AND DRUG PRODUCTION
• Use of modified microorganisms that can produce
enzymes for food processing and medicines.

An example of this is CGTase.

Cyclomaltodextrin glycosyltransferase
(CGTase), an enzyme used for food
flavor enchancer, is produced in
higher quantity by bacterium Bacillus
which was genetically modified with
the gene of a thermophilic anaerobe.
Another example Artemesin.
Artemesin acid is a compound
used for anti-malarial drug
extracted from sweet wordwood
plant.
6. GMOs IN THE MEDICAL FIELD
• Genetic engineering is playing a significant role from
diagnosis to treatment of human dreaded diseases.

One classic example is Humulin, the

genetically engineered insulin used by Type 1
diabetes patients who are insulin dependent.
National Medical Center and Genaetech
Biotechnology Company were able to
produce human insulin. The gene for insulin
was inserted to bacterial DNA that was able
to produce almost exactly the same human
insulin. This was a breakthrough in the
mass production of human insulin. In 1996,
modified human insulin was approved,
called the humalog.
BENEFITS OF GMOs
• HIGHER EFFICIENCY IN FARMING - with the use of
pesticide - resistant/herbicide - tolerant GMO crops, there
will be less use for herbicides/pesticides, and lower cost
for labor and cultivation.
• INCREASE IN HARVEST - GMO crops resistant to pests
and diseases means increases in potential growth and
harvest.
• CONTROL IN FERTILITY - controlling the purity of the
hybrid seeds (GMO seed) ensures higher yields.
• INCREASE IN FOOD PROCESSING - altered
characteristics of GMO crops help ease food processing.
• IMPROVEMENT OF DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS -
GMOs offer longer shelf life, enhanced color and taste,
enhanced production or reduction of enzymes, and other
modified characteristics of plants, animals and
microorganism.
• NUTRITIONAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL
ENHANCEMENT - GMO crops like maize fortified with
Vitamin A and iron. There are now edible vaccines for viral
and diarrheal disease.
• Reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides.
POTENTIAL RISKS OF GMOs
Opponents of GMOs have the following major concerns:

1.Since genetic engineering is still young branch of science;

there are inadequate studies on the effects of GMOs to
humans and the environment
2.Genetic engineering promotes mutation in organisms
which the long term effect is still unknown.
3. Human Consumption of GMOs might have the following
effects:
• More Allergic Reactions - GMO food may trigger more
allergic reactions, more so create new ones, as side effect
of the gene alteration
• Gene Mutation - GMO food may develop abnormalities and
mutation, more than the desired product of the gene
alteration.
• Antibiotic Resistance - GMO food contains antibiotic-
resistant genes; this may cause disease-causing bacteria
likely to be more antibiotic-resistant too, increasing the
possibility of widespread of the disease.
• Nutritional Value - GMO food may have change in their
nutritional value.
SUMMARY
Genetic Engineering is an emerging field of science. Its
quests are to preserve and prolong life. In more than four
decades since the first genetically modified organisms have
been created and propagated. Some are approved by experts
and government authorities for human use and consumption
while others are kept in institutional research laboratories
subject for more experiments.
THANK
YOU
ASSESSMENT
• Is the use of genetically modified products
beneficial to feed our world or are they a disaster
waiting to happen?
• What do you think are the PROS and CONS of
GMO?
• Are you going to eat/consume GMOs or GMO-
derived products?