GMO’sWhat they are, how they are made, and the risks and benefits of Genetically Modified Organisms

By: Jenna Knudtson

Intro to GMO’s

• GMO: stands for Genetically Modified Organisms/Genetically Modified Foods

• Foods made from organisms whose DNA has been specifically changed through genetic engineering

• By 2002: >60% of processed food in US contained at least some GM ingredients

First, Some History

• Humans have been genetically enhancing organisms over 1000’s of years- artificial selection

• Selecting desirable traits• Purebred dogs

• Sweet corn

• Seedless watermelons/grapes

Make Your Own GMO

• Now, instead of selective breeding, geneticists use a sophisticated version of cut and paste

• Visual at right shows one of many methods

• Once new, improved gene is in organism, it gets passed on

Risks

• What would happen if GMO’s mixed with wild populations?

• Although numerous scientific panels conclude eating GMO’s is safe, may be toxic or allergenic to certain people

• Need to keep the old variety for genetic diversity

• Possible evolution of insecticide-resistant “superbugs”

Benefits

• Agriculture• produces larger, higher quality

crops with less effort and expense

• can reduce use of insecticides by making plants resistant to pests

• add nutrients to food in regions where people don’t get enough of that nutrient

• endure weather extremes

• Medicine• make safer and cheaper

vaccines

• “edible” vaccines

• malaria resistant mosquitos

• gene therapy

• Environment• biodegradable plastics

Sources

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/science/gmfoods/

http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/897705/genetically-modified-organism-GMO