genetically modified organisms (transgenics) – “ the right to know”
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Genetically Modified Organisms (Transgenics) –
“The Right to Know”
Princeton Satellite 2013
Kathy McKone
What does it mean to be genetically modified?
Inserting a desired gene from one organism into an organism of a different species.
WHY Bother w/ GM Food? 1980 World Population = 4.5 Billion 2011 World Population = 7 Billion
Farmable Land disappearing
Worries about ability to produce enough food
Concerns of pesticide & herbicide overuse; and long-term effects of these chemicals
The Workhorse of Genetic Engineering = Bacteria
General GMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAP6ZtfP9ZQ
More Advanced:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-IJikX1144
BioRad Intro:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIPsjrXMMmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3925Pw-VwU
Genetically Engineering Insulin
US Approval for GM food crops•Corn•Soy•Papaya•Canola •Potato•Chicory•Rice •Squash•Sugarbeet•Tomatoes
Approval does not necessarily mean these crops are distributed
Database of GM crops: www.agbios.com
Which foods contain GM product?
Agriculture: Genetically Modified (GM) Organisms
Inserting genes from one organism (Bacteria) into another organism (Plant).
Adding genes to plants can make them draught or insect resistant.
1994: first GM food was sold: Flavr Savr tomato = able to ripen on the vine & not turn to mush; wasn’t successful b/c of taste
Image:Results of insect infestation on Bt (right) and non-Bt (left) cotton bolls. Source: USDA
According to the USDA, in the U.S. in 2011:
CROPS genetically modified:
94% soy 88% corn 90% cotton Which item would NOT
be a good selection to test with students?
Which foods contain GM product?
0
10
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50
60
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1995
1996
1997
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2004
% o
f al
l cro
p p
lan
ted GM corn GM soy
Sources: 1996-1999 Fernandez and McBride, 2000-2004: USDA, National Agriculture Statistics Service, Acreage.
GM Foods are NOT required to be labeled in US.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/11/201211811503032830.html
California's Prop 37 – to label GM foods *DEFEATED (Nov. 2012)
Biotech companies like Monsanto and Syngenta hold patents on the GE seeds and also "control who conducts research".
*Monsanto, Pesticide Companies Spend $7.1 Million to Defeat Right to Know GMO Labeling Measure in CA
http://www.carighttoknow.org/5_million_more
Very Reliable Reliable Less Reliable Very Difficult / Not Possible
Fresh corn Veggie sausages
Veggie burgers Oil
Fresh papaya Tortilla chips Fried corn snacks Salad dressing
Corn bread mix Flavored tortilla chips
Popcorn Cereal (eg cornflakes)
Corn meal Puffed corn snacks
Fries Wheat flour
Soy flour Meatballs and burgers containing soy protein
Potato chips
Soy-based protein drinks/powders
Which foods yield viable plant DNA?
Cell Biology REVIEW:Three Segments of a Gene
1) Promoter = found at the beginning of a gene; docking site of RNA polymerase
2) Gene = codes for protein of interest (pest resistance)
3)Terminator = stop transcription
Why use CaMV 35S and NOS?
CaMV 35S – Sequence for the promoter of 35S transcript of the Cauliflower mosaic virus. Used because it functions in every plant cell
NOS- Sequence for nopaline synthase terminator from soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciansUsed because it evolved to be recognized in most plants
65% of food crops use CaMV promoter; adding NOS detection ~ 85%
Most Used Promoter used in GM crops
The Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter (CaMV 35S) is used in most transgenic crops to activate foreign genes which have been artificially inserted into the host plant
http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/graphics/bluetong.gif
Popular gene from soil bacterium: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Bt gene protein endotoxin (lethal to many insects)
Pesticides are not needed for crops!
Endotoxins are activated by the HIGHLY ALKALINE insect mid-gut.
Also kills non-target insects (monarch butterfly).
Desirable Traits
Pest Resistance
Herbicide Tolerance
Viral Resistance
Drought Resistance
Increased Nutritional Value;
golden rice (beta carotene)
Improved Fruit
Altered Ripening
Opponents argue
Creation of super pests
Creation of super weeds
Loss of biodiversity
Biotechnology companies control agriculture
GMO-Based Web Sites
Cornell
http://www.geo-pie.cornell.edu
University of Nebraska
http://croptechnology.unl.edu/
Pro-GMO http://www.monsanto.com
Anti-GMO
http://www.greenpeace.org
BioRad’s GMO Investigator Kit Contents
Not Included but required:•Thermal cycler•Water bath/heat block•Electrophoresis Module (agarose, TAE buffer & Fast Blast DNA stain)•Electrophoresis equipment & power supply•2-20 ul pipettes & barrier tips
Bio-Rad certified Non-GMO foodInstaGeneMaster MixGMO primersPlant PSII primersGMO & PSII positive control DNA PCR MW RulerDPTPs, microtubes, PCR tubes, foam floatsManual
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