From Cows to Canola An Introduction to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

1
From Cows to CanolaAn Introduction
toGenetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
2
Traditional Breeding
Traditionally, plants and animals with favorable
traits have been bred to perpetuate these traits
in offspring.


The pug and beagle have been bred to produce the
puggle, a mixed breed with both pug and beagle
traits.
3
Traditional Breeding
This has been particularly important in
agriculture, where crops and animals are prized
for having certain traits.
4
Advances in Breeding Methods

• Over time, more sophisticated breeding
  practices emerged, such as mutation breeding.
• This is a process in which organisms are
  exposed to chemicals or radiation.
• This changes their DNA in an effort to produce
  new desired genetic traits.

Mutation breeding (gamma radiation) was used to
develop these drought-resistant soybeans.
5
Mutation Breeding

• MB has been applied for decades to yield products
  such as
• Rio Red grapefruit
• Golden Promise Barley (used in fine
  beers)
• Nearly 200 types of bread wheat
• Beans, lettuce, rice, oats

6
How is Genetic Engineering Different?
Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique
that allows for greater precision and a wider
array of possibilities. For example, genes from
one species can now be inserted into another.
7
Example 1 A Golden Opportunity

• Daffodil and soil bacterium genes were
  introduced into white rice to produce Golden
  Rice.

White Rice vs. Golden Rice
8
A Golden Opportunity

• The golden color results from elevated
  levels of beta-carotene, which boost the
  nutritional value of the rice.

Golden Rice will be grown in places that
lack adequate sources of beta-carotene.
9
Example 2 Antioxidants, Anyone?
Genes from the snapdragon flower were
incorporated into tomatoes to create this
antioxidant-rich fruit.
10
Meaningful Silence

• Transferring genes isnt the only way genetic
  engineering can be applied. It has other uses,
  too!
• For example, genetic engineering allows us to
  shut off genes within an organism so that the
  products they normally express are not produced.

Gene silencing techniques have been usedto lower
the allergenicity of peanuts.
11
Genetic Engineering Other Advantages

• Plants
• Increased crop yields
• Pest resistance
• Environmental tolerance (to drought, extreme
  temperatures, etc).
• Virus resistance

• Other organisms (animals, fish, etc.)
• Faster growth rates
• Ability to produce valuable proteins
  in animal milk
• Ability to overcome limited availability
  of certain resources (eg, rChymosin)

12
Example 1 SunUp Papaya

• The papaya ringspot virus was on course to
  wipe out the Hawaiian papaya industry.
• This prompted the development of the SunUp
  papaya, which is genetically modified to be
  resistant to this virus.

The SunUp papaya is believed to have rescued
Hawaiis ravaged papaya industry.
13
Example 2 Got Fibrinogen?

• Fibrinogen is a protein that helps blood to
  clot.
• GM cows that secrete fibrinogen in their milk
  can make this protein widely available to
  patients who need it.

14
Example 3 GM foods have been a regular part of
our diets for years.

• An estimated 75 of processed foods in the
  United States contain genetically modified
  ingredients.

• Examples include canola oil and rChymosin, an
  ingredient found in many commercially available
  cheeses.

15
Concerns about GMOs

• Superweeds
• Unknown long-term health effects
• Allergens transferred to new foods
• ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
• ? ? ? ? ? ?
  ?

• Cross-pollination
• Ecosystem disruption
• Inadequate regulation
• Moral concerns (playing God?)

16
Example 2S Albumin

• Pioneer Hi-Bred wanted to boost the
  nutritional value of its soy-based animal feed.
• It developed GM soybeans containing 2S
  albumin, a protein from Brazil nuts.
• 2S albumin is a human allergen, and the
  allergen was transferred into the beans.

Although they were intended solely for
animal consumption, Pioneers soybeans were not
released for use.
17
The Future

• Genetic engineering has opened the door to
  countless possibilities in food, health, and
  beyond.

However, each new genetically modified
organism brings certain unknowns.
Careful monitoring and testing, regulations, and
other factors will all play a role as genetic
engineering plays a growing part inour daily
lives.
18
Review

• Genetic engineering enables us to do
  something that isnt done via traditional
  breeding or mutation breeding. What is it?

19
Answer Transfer a Gene from One Species to
Another
This GM lettuce carries the insulin gene. It
relieves diabetes in mice and holds promise for
future applications for humans.
20
Review
Describe two ways in which the genetic makeup of
an organism can be changed via genetic
engineering.
21
Review

• 1. A foreign gene can be added to an
  organism to create a new trait in that
  organism.
• 2. An existing gene within the organism can be
  shut off so that the product it normally
  expresses is not produced.

22
Review

• What kinds of advantages can genetic
  engineering impart?

23
Review

• Virus resistance
• The ability to produce important
  proteins in animal milk
• Enhanced nutritional value

• Increased crop yields
• Pest resistance
• Faster growth rates
• Environmental tolerance (to drought, extreme
  temperatures, etc).

• Ability to overcome limited availability
  of certain resources (eg, rChymosin)

24
Review

• What are some of the concerns people have
  about genetic engineering?

25
Review

• Development of superweeds
• Unknown long-term health effects
• Allergens transferred to new foods

• Cross-pollination
• Ecosystem disruption
• Inadequate regulation
• Moral concerns (playing God)

26
Discussion

1. What do you think about genetic engineering?
2. Do you view it as more helpful or harmful? Why?
3. Would you eat foods that you knew were
   genetically modified? Why or why not?
4. How do you think GM foods should be regulated?

27
Image Citations (by slide number)

• 1. http//www.cartoonbank.com/2000/We-would-like-
  to-be-genetically-modiied-to-taste-like-Brussels-s
  prouts/invt/119426
• 2. http//panzercow.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/p
  ug.jpg, http//www.krittercards.com/images/beagle1
  .jpg, http//petsworldri.com/yahoo_site_admin/
• 3. http//media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s
  /01/4f/cb/a6/colorful-vegetables-at.jpg,
  http//news-libraries.m
  it.edu/blog/date/2009/01/page/2/
• 4. http//www.pnri.dost.gov.ph/pnri.php?pnrinrd
  
• 5. http//www.texascitrusexchange.com/rio_red_fac
  ts.htm, http//www2.science.unsw.edu.au/news/newsA
  rchive.html
• 6. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FileGenetic-engi
  neering-wheat.jpg
• 7. http//www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2009/11/14
  /genetically-engineered-crops-rice/
• 8. http//www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/tex
  t.php?unit7secNum7, http//www.goldenrice.org/C
  ontent3-Why/why1_vad.html
• 9. http//webecoist.com/2009/09/01/10-more-intrig
  uing-genetically-modified-fruits-veggies/
• 10. http//runforlife3.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/p
  eanut-peanut-butter-and-jelly/
• 11. http//homegardeningzone.com
• 12. http//www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp
• 13. http//news-libraries.mit.edu/blog/date/2009/
  01/page/2/
• 14. http//images.businessweek.com/ss/07/12/1206_
  biotech_brunch/source/5.htm, http//www.seriouseat
  s.com/2007/04/stinky-wine-shops-now-serving.html
• 16. http//www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/biotech/safety.ht
  ml
• 19. http//floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID89695
  759.8573667.651898.21069602.9810479.224aID250137