8

Biotechnology
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Applications of Biotechnology in
Agriculture

DIVISION OF ANGELES CITY

Biotechnology– Grade 8
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 –Module 2: Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Regional Director : May B. Eclar PhD, CESO V
OIC Asst. Regional Director : Rhoda T. Razon EdD, CESO V

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Larissa G. Manalili

Editors:Sherilyne L. Reyes, Jennifer M. Praza, Edgardo D. Cortez,
Jenny S. Tongol, Edythe Hipolito
Reviewers: Gemima A. Estrabillo, Emily F. Sarmiento, Hermes Vargas,
Adrian Tamayo, Krislene Ida N. Mercado, Noel S. Reganit
Mary Queen Orphilla, Billy Ray B. Manuel, Marvin R. Leano,
Gemmarie G. Rivas
Illustrator: Arnold Arceo
Layout Artist: Maricon H. Rivera
Management Team: May B. Eclar PhD, CESO V
Rhoda T. Razon EdD, CESO V
Ma. Irelyn P. Tamayo PhD, CESE
Fernandina P. Otchengco PhD, CESE
Librada M. Rubio PhD
Ma. Editha R. Caparas EdD
Emily F. Sarmiento, PhD
Gemima A. Estrabillo, PhD
Rochella C. David

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Region III – Schools Division of Angeles City

Office Address: Jesus St., Pulungbulu, Angeles City

Telephone: (045) 322-5722; 322-4702 888-0582; 887-6099
E-mail Address: angeles.city@deped.gov.ph
 8

Biotechnology
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Applications of Biotechnology in
Agriculture
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of
the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you
will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the steps in Recombinant DNA Technology. The scope of this module permits
it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is about:

• Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture

At the end of this module learners are expected to:

1. describe the characteristics of Genetically Modified (GM) crops;
2. identify the advantages and disadvantages of Genetically Modified (GM) crop
in the field of Agriculture; and
3. explain the importance of Genetically Modified (GM) crop in the field of
Agriculture.

These objectives are aligned with the learning competency which is to discuss the
applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture.

1
 What I Know

Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which among the following genetically modified organisms used Bacillus

thuringiensis as a gene donor?
a. Bt corn
b. FlavrSavr tomato
c. Golden Rice
d. Humulin

2. Which genetically modified food contains beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin

A?
a. Bt corn
b. FlavrSavr tomato
c. Golden Rice
d. Humulin

3. Which among the following genetically modified organisms used Narcissus

pseudonarcissus as a gene donor?
a.Bt corn
b. FlavrSavr tomato
c. Golden Rice
d. Humulin

4. What enzyme is produced by bacterium Erwiniauredovora which enabled beta-

carotene to be accumulated in the rice endosperm?
a. endonucleases
b. hydrolases
c. oxidoreductases
d. phytoenedesaturase

5. Which among the following is the first commercially grown GM crop granted with
a license for human consumption?
a. Corn
b. Eggplant
c. Rice
d. Tomato

6. Which refers to organisms with foreign genes incorporated into their genome?
a. Clone
b. GMO
c. Replica
d. Vectors

2
7. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of a transgenic crop?
a. Introduction of toxins into the body
b. Resist insect
c. Survive drought .
d. Yield more food.

8. Which is NOT a modification made with the FlavrSavr tomato?

a. Added flavours
b. Delay ripening process
c. Longer shelf life
d. Resistant to insect

9. What is the name of the enzyme used to cut DNA at a specific site?
a. DNA helicase
b. DNA ligase
c. Restriction enzymes
d. Restriction sites

10. What makes genetically modified crops different from non-genetically modified
crops?
a. They have foreignDNA.
b. They have fewer calories.
c. A bacteria growing inside of them.
d. The addition of specific minerals.

3
 Lesson
Applications of Biotechnology
1 in Agriculture

What’s In

Directions: Arrange the jumbled letters to form the word about the application of
Biotechnology in Health. Use the description given for each word as a clue.

1. METS SLLEC
Clue: undifferentiated cells.

2. ENEG YPAREHT
Clue: a form of therapy that involves inserting one or more corrective genes
into the genetic material of a patient's cells to cure a genetic disease.

3. TLDUA MEST ELLSC

Clue: type of stem cells found in small numbers in most adult tissues, such
as bone marrow.

4. ICNOYRBME EMST LLECS

Clue: type of stem cells thatcome from embryos that are three to five days
old.

5. METS ELLSC YPARTHE

Clue: a form of therapy that promotes the repair response of diseased,
dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells.

In our previous lesson, we learned about the application of Biotechnology in

health. You have learned about stem cells. Stem cells are the body's raw materials
where cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. In
addition, stem cells become specialized cells with a more specific function, such as
blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle cells, or bone cells.

4
 What’s New

Activity 1
Directions: Choose GM crops from the box below to identify what is being described
by each statement.

A. GM Tomato B. Bt Corn C. GM Papaya

D. GM Sugar Beet E. Golden Rice

1. It is resistant to corn borer.

2. It has delayed ripening and longer shelf life.
3. It is resistant to weeds.
4. It produces beta carotene.
5. It is resistant to infection by ringspot virus.

What is It

In this lesson, we shall explain the Applications of Biotechnology in

agriculture. Particularly, we will discuss the various genetically modified crops.

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture involve scientific techniques such as

Genetically Modified Organisms, Bt Cotton and pest resistant plants. It helps in
modifying plants, animals, and microorganisms and improves their agricultural
productivity.

Biotechnology in Agriculture

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture include the development

of transgenic crops - the placement of genes into plants to give the crop a beneficial
trait. Benefits include the improved yield from crops, reduced vulnerability of crops
to environmental stresses, increased nutritional qualities of food crops, improved
taste, texture, or appearance of food, reduced dependence on fertilizers, pesticides,
and other agrochemicals, and production of vaccines.cK-12.org (2019)

5
Genetically Modified Crops

Comparison of regular corn and Bt corn

Figure 1

Bt Corn was first genetically modified with the insertion of toxin gene from the
bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. When the Bt Corn was commercialized, an increase
in production was realized because of its resistance to the attack of the corn borer.

BT Cotton
Figure 2

BT Cotton, half of the cotton grown in the world hasbeen genetically modified
to resist pests and pesticides. GMO cotton was created to be resistant to
bollworms.GMO cotton not only provides a reliable source of cotton for the textile
industry, but it is also used to make cottonseed oil, which is used in packaged foods
and many restaurants for frying. GMO cottonseed meal and hulls are also used in
food for animals.

Some GM potatoes were developed to resist insect pests and disease. In

addition, some GM potato varieties have been developed to resist bruising and
browning that can occur when potatoes are packaged, stored, and transported, or
even cut in the kitchen. While browning does not change the quality of the potato, it
often leads to food being unnecessarily thrown away because people mistakenly
believe browned food is spoiled.

6
 Comparison of Golden Rice with regular rice
Figure 3

Golden rice is the genetically modified rice containing beta carotene, a

precursor of vitamin A. Goldenrice was genetically modified to produce almost 20
times the beta-carotene of previous varieties. Golden rice was created by modifying
the rice genome to include a gene from the daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus that
produces an enzyme known as phytoene synthase and a gene from the
bacterium Erwiniauredovora that produces an enzyme called phyotenedesaturase.
The introduction of these genes enabled beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin
A in the human liver, to accumulate in the rice endosperm—the edible part of the rice
plant—thereby increasing the amount of beta-carotene available for vitamin A
synthesis in the body.

Sugar Beets were engineered to grow faster and to be more resistant to weeds.

GM canola is used mostly to make cooking oil and margarine. Canola seed
meal can also be used in food for animals. Canola oil is used in many packaged foods
to improve food consistency. Most GM canola is resistant to herbicides and helps
farmers to more easily control weeds in their fields.

GM alfalfa is primarily used to feed cattle—mostly dairy cows. Most GM

alfalfa are resistant to herbicides, allowing farmers to spray the crops to protect them
against destructive weeds that can reduce alfalfa production and lower the nutritional
quality of the hay.

GM papaya lines were developed to resist infection bythepapayaringspotvirus.

Comparison of Bt eggplant with the regular eggplant

Figure 4

The first GM eggplant (Bt eggplant) was pest-resistant eggplant.

7
 GM peas were created by inserting kidney beans genes into the peas DNA
resulting in the production of a protein with pesticidalability.

Flavr Savr Tomatoes

Figure 5

FlavrSavr is the first commercially grown GM tomato granted with a license for
human consumption. FlavrSavr tomato was designed to withstand the rigors of
shipping, one that would last for weeks while regular tomatoes shriveled and
rot.FlavrSavr tomatoes would not only stave off rotting but also prevent softening of
the tomatoes during ripening, allowing them to be transported hundreds of miles
without bruising while retaining their vine-ripe taste.Diaz (2020)

GM crops are made through a process known as genetic engineering. Genes

of commercial interest are transferred from one organism to another. There are two
primary methods currently exist for introducing transgenes into plant genomes.The
first involves a device called a ‘gene gun’. The DNA to be introduced into the plant
cells is coated into tiny particles of gold or tungsten. These particles are then
physically shot onto plant cells and incorporated into the genomic DNA of the
recipient plant.Isaaa.org (2020)

What are the potential benefits of GM Crops?

Genetically modified crops or GM crops are used in the following ways: 1. They
are more tolerant to stresses such as drought, cold, and heat. 2. They are pest-
resistant and therefore less dependent on chemical pesticides.3. Genetically Modified
crops help to reduce post-harvest losses.4. They help to increase the mineral usage
by plants, thereby preventing early exhaustion of soil fertility.5. Genetically modified
crops have enhanced nutritional value. Example – Vitamin A enriched rice. Isaaa.org
(2020)

What are the potential risks of GM Crops?

With every technology, there are potential risks. The potential risks of GM
crops include: 1. The danger of unintentionally introducing allergens and other
antinutritional factors in foods. 2. The likelihood of transgenes escaping from
cultivated crops into wild relatives. 3. The potential for pests to evolve resistance to
the toxins produced by GM crops. 4. The risk of these toxins affecting non-target
organisms.Isaaa.org (2020

8
 What’s More

Activity 1
Directions: Write FACT if the statement is correct and BLUFF if incorrect, then
change the words/phrases to make the statement correct.
1.Bt Corn was first genetically modified with the insertion a toxin gene from the
bacterium Escherichia coli.
2.Golden rice is the genetically modified rice containing beta carotene, a
precursor of vitamin C.
3. Sugar Beets were engineered to grow faster and to be more resistant to weeds.
4. Genentech is the first commercially grown GM tomato granted with a license for
human consumption.
5. GM papaya lines were developed to resist infection by papaya Meleira virus.
6. GM canola is used mostly to make cooking oil and margarine.
7. GM cotton was created to be resistant to the borer.
8. GM peas were created by inserting kidney beans genes into the peas.
9. Bt Corn is resistant to the attack of cutworm.
10. GM alfalfa is resistant to herbicides, allowing farmers to spray the crops to
protect them against destructive weeds.

Guide Questions
1. What makes GM tomato different from the regular tomato?
2. How is GM canola different from regular canola?
3. How is GM sugar beet different from regular sugar beet?

9
Activity 2
Direction: Fill in the crossword puzzle below by providing the correct words based on
the clues given.

Across Down
3. Resistant to 1. Delayed ripening
Ringspot virus
4. Resistant to pest particularly 2. Enriched nutritional value
borers
5. Resistant to weeds

Guide Questions
1. What organisms were used to make Golden Rice?
2. What is the name given to GM tomato?
3. What insect is Bt Corn resistant to?

Activity 3
Direction: Put a check ( √ ) mark to all statements that describe the advantages of
GM crops and a cross ( x ) mark to all disadvantage.

1.Resistance to diseases
2.Introduction of toxins into the human body
3.Faster crop growth
4.Herbicide-resistant insects and weeds
5.Passing on genes to wild species and interrupting natural processes
6.Increased exposure to vitamins and mineral
7.Pests developing genetic resistance
8.Increased crop yield
9.Crop growth in less suitable habitats
10.Reduced pesticide and herbicide use on GM-resistant plants

Guide Questions
1. What does an herbicide-resistant crop mean?
2. What does a pesticide-resistant crop mean?
3. Give one example of pesticide-resistant crop and one example herbicide-
resistant crop.

10
Activity 4
Directions: Write the modifications made in each genetically modified crop listed in
the table below.

GM Crop Modification GM Crop Modification

1. Canola 6. Papaya
2. Corn 7. Potato
3. Cotton 8. Peas
4. Rice 9. Sugar Beets
5. Alfalfa 10. Eggplant

Guide Questions
1. What bacterium is used to make Bt Corn?
2. What makes GM papaya differs from the regular papaya?
3. What insect is Bt cotton resistant to?
Activity 5
Directions: Read and understand the article about Bt Corn. Answer the questions
below after reading the article.
The Asian corn borer remains to be a major corn pest in the Philippines,
reducing unit yields by as much as 27%. Due to the worsening damage by the Asian
corn borer, Bt corn, a transgenic corn variety resistant to this pest, was recently
introduced in Philippine commercial farms to control the pest and increase yields.
After one year of commercial adoption, only about 10, 000 ha have been planted to
Bt corn in the Philippines, representing only 1% of the total area planted to yellow
corn. The major factors influencing adoption included risk perception, education,
training and hired labor. The perceived risks by farmers on the use of Bt corn played
a significant role in adoption, particularly for the non-users, while users frequently
mentioned the benefits, like resistance to corn borer and high yield. The most
important perceived risk factor was the harmful health effects on man and animals.
The main sources of information, however, were farmers, friends and the church
groups that seemed to emphasize more of the perceived risks rather than the
benefits. Unless there is a radical change in the farmers’ perception about Bt corn,
greater adoption of the technology may not be expected in the future. Substantial
unit yield increases of as much as 37% were realized by the Btcorn farms. This
translates to an additional profit of PhP10,132 per hectare with a reduction in
insecticide expenditures of 60%. An incremental net income of PhP 1.34 per kilo was
gained by Bt corn users, although seed cost was twice that of the ordinary hybrid.

Many farmers complained about the exorbitant price of seed and expressed
willingness to try the Bt corn if only the price of seed was lower. The adoption of Bt
corn showed a significant impact on the farm financial performance as shown by the
adoption elasticities that were even higher than those observed in the developed
countries. Increasing the probability of adoption by 10% increased net farm income
by 4.1%. These results clearly favor the current national policy agenda of increased
productivity and income for small corn farmers, but adoption levels need to be
increased. The Bt corn technology has also brought about significant welfare gains
to corn producers and seed companies, albeit the adoption is still low. To further
realize the benefits of Bt corn through higher adoption rates, public support is badly
needed in the areas of information dissemination, development of the Bt corn seed

11
market and, more importantly, the government incentives that facilitate farmers’
access to the technology. At present, the availability of Bt corn seeds is still limited
and domestic seed production capacity is still low. As the seed market is opened to
other entrants, the adoption rate and welfare gains are expected to increase in the
future.
-- By Yorobe and Quicoy
Source:Researchgate.net

Guide Questions:
1. What are the major factors influencing the adoption of Bt corn?
2. What is the most important perceived risk factor of Bt corn?
3. Based on the article, how would you describe the availability of Bt seeds in the
Philippines?
4. Why are farmers hesitant to use Bt seeds?
5. Why do you think Bt corn is beneficial to farmers?

Activity 6
Directions: Read and understand the question below, then answer what is being
asked.
Question:
Is the use of Genetically Modified corn beneficial to feed our world or are they a
disaster waiting to happen?
Your Claim:
Your Evidence:
Your Justification of the Evidence:
GuideQuestions:
1. What GM crop has enriched Vitamin A content?
2. What makes GM corn beneficial to farmers?
3. Why do GM crops help farmer to have greater yields?

Guide Questions Rubric

1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Answer is Answer is Answer is Answer is Answer is
completely correct but correct and correct and correct and the
incorrect, and there is no there is some support needs support is fully
no support is support, OR support. continuity. developed.
provided. the answer is
incorrect but
there is some
correct
support.

12
 What I Have Learned

Direction: Fill in the blanks to complete the statements.

1. Genetically Modified Organisms are plants, animals, bacteria, or fungi whose

________ have been modified by genetic manipulation.
2. GM crops are ________ and therefore less dependent on chemical pesticides.
3. The first genetically modified crop with the insertion of toxin gene from a
bacterium was ________.
4.The genetically modified rice containing beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin
A is called ________.
5. The first commercially grown GM tomato granted with a license for human
consumption is ________.

6. The GM crop engineered to grow faster and to be more resistant to weeds is

____.
7. GM papaya was developed to resist infection by ________.
8-10. Bacillus thuringiensis was used to make ________ , ________ ,________

What I Can Do

Activity 1
Direction: Think of a crop that you want to modify to create your own genetically
modified crop, and then complete the data below.

Description of the GM crop:

Advantages of your GM Crop and Possible Risk to:
Society:
Environment:
Rubric
Category 4 3 2 1
Reflective The idea explains The idea The idea The idea
Thinking the student’s own explains the attempts to does not
thinking and student’s demonstrate address the
learning thinking thinking about student’s
processes, as well about learning but is thinking
as implications his/her own vague and/or and/or
for future learning unclear about learning.
learning. processes. the personal

13
 learning
process..
Analysis The idea is an in- The idea is The idea The idea
depth analysis of an analysis attempts to does not
the learning of the analyze the move
experience, the learning learning beyond a
value of the experience experience but description
derived learning and the value the value of the of the
to self or others, of the derived learning to the learning
and the learning to student or experience.
enhancement of self or others others is vague
the student’s and/or unclear.
appreciation for
the discipline.
Making The idea The idea The idea The idea
Connections articulates articulates attempts to does not
multiple connections articulate articulate
between this
connections connections any
learning
between this experience between this connection
learning and content learning to other
experience and from past experience and learning or
content from past learning content from experiences
learning, life experiences, past learning
experiences and/or experiences, or
future goals
and/or future personal goals,
goals but the
connection is
vague and/or
unclear.

Assessment

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which genetically modified organism has an enriched nutritional value?

a. Bt corn c. Golden Rice
b. FlavrSavr tomato d. Humulin

2. Which of the following bacterium was used to make pest-resistant crops?

a. Bacillus thuringiensis c. Pseudomonas putida
b. Escherichia Coli d. Salmonella typhi

14
3. Which is NOT a benefit of genetically modified crops?
a. They improve the nutritional quality of foods.
b. They allow farmers to greatly increase the number of crops produced.
c. They pass on genes to wild species and interrupting natural processes.
d. They cause less damage to the environment than conventional chemical-
intensive agriculture.

4. Which of the following describes a genetically modified organism?

a. An organism with foreign DNA.
b. A genetically identical organism.
c. An organism with missing genes.
d. An organism with a defective gene.

5. What type of virus is a genetically modified papaya resistant to?

a. Adeno virus c. Ebola virus
b. Corona Virus d. Ringspot virus

For questions 6- 10:

Choose A – if the first statement is correct
B – if the second statement is correct
C – if the 1st and 2nd statements are correct
D – if the 1st and 2nd statements are incorrect

First Statement Second Statement

6. FlavrSavr is the first commercially Sugar Beets were engineered to grow
grown GM tomato granted with a faster and to be more resistant to
license for human consumption. weeds.

7.Genetically modified crops are All Genetically modified crops have

pest-resistant and therefore more
dependent on chemical pesticides.
8. Golden rice is the genetically
modified rice containing Iron.
9. Soybean is the most cultivated
GM crop.
10. Gene gun involves the
introduction of plant cells coated
onto tiny particles of gold or
tungsten.
enhanced nutritional value.
Genetically modified peas produce a
protein with pesticidalability.
The GM tomato was developed to
resist infection by theringspot virus.
The GM corn was made for delayed-
ripening.

15
 Additional Activity

Activity 1
Direction: Complete the data below by listing two advantages and disadvantages of
genetically modified crops.

GM Crops
Advantages Disadvantages
1. 1
2. 2.

16
 17
What I Know What’s In What’s New
1. a 6. b 1. Stem Cell 1. B
2. c 7. a 2. Gene Therapy 2. A
3. Adult Stem Cells 3. D
3. c 8. d
4. Embryonic Stem Cells 4. E
4. d 9. c 5. Stem Cells Therapy 5. C
5. d 10. a
What’s More Activity 2
Activity 1 1. Tomato
1.Bt Corn was first genetically modified with 2.Rice
the insertion of toxin gene from the bacterium 3.Papaya
Bacillus thuringiensis. 4.Corn
5.Sugar Beets
2. Golden rice is the genetically modified rice
containing beta carotene, a precursor of Guide Questions
vitamin A. 1. Narcissus pseudonarcissus and
Erwiniauredovora.
3. True 2. FlavrSavr
3. Corn Borer
4.FlavrSavr is the first commercially grown
GM tomato granted with a license for human Activity 3
consumption. √- 1,3,8,9,10
X- 2,4,5,6,7
5. GM papaya lines were developed to resist
infection by papaya Rings virus. Guide Questions
1. Herbicide-resistant crops can tolerate broad-
6. True spectrum of herbicides, which kill the
surrounding organisms but leaves the
7. GM cotton was created to be resistant to cultivated crop intact.
bollworms.
2. . Pesticide-resistant crops have been
8. True
genetically modified so they are toxic to certain
9.Bt Corn is resistant to the attack of corn insects.
borer.
3. BT cotton and GM Corn
10. True
Guide Questions
1. GM tomato was designed to withstand the
rigors of shipping, one that would last for
weeks while regular tomatoes shriveled and
rot.
2. GM canola is resistant to herbicides.
3. GM Sugar Beets grow faster and to resistant
to weeds.
Answer Key
 18
What I Have Lear ned
Activity 4
1. Canola – resistant to herbicides 1. Genes
2. Corn – resistant to the attack of corn borer 2. Pest-resisitant
3. Cotton – resistant to pest 3.Bt corn
4. Rice – produces beta carotene 4. Golden Rice
5. Alfalfa – resistant to herbicides 5.Flavr Savr
6. Papaya – resistant to infection by ringspot
6. Sugar Beets
virus
7.Ringspot Virus
7. Potato – resistant to bruising and browning
8. Peas – production of protein with pesticidal 8. Bt cotton
effect 9.Bt corn
9. Sugar Beet – resistant to weeds 10.Bt eggplant
10. Eggplant- pest-resistant
Guide Questions
1. Bacillus thuringiensis
What I Can Do
2. GM papaya are resistant to infection
by papaya ringspot virus while regular Answers may vary
papaya are prone to ringspot virus.
3. Bollworms
Bollworms
Addit ional Act ivit y
Activity 5
Answers may vary
1. The major factors influencing adoption
included risk perception, education, training Possible answer:
and hired labor. Advantages
1. Genetically Modified crops help to reduce
2. The most important perceived risk factor post-harvest losses.
was the harmful health effects on man and
animals.
2. GM crops help to increase the mineral
3. At present, the availability of Bt corn seeds usage by plants, thereby preventing early
is still limited and domestic seed production exhaustion of soil fertility.
capacity is still low.
Disadvantages
4. Many farmers complained about the 1. . The potential for pests to evolve resistance
exorbitant price of seed.
to the toxins produced by GM crops.
5. Substantial unit yield increases of as much
as 37% were realized by the Bt corn farms 2. The risk of the toxins affecting non target
organisms.
Activity 6
Answers may vary
Possible answer:
Claim: Beneficial to feed the world
Evidence: Sufficient supply of corn in the
market.
Justification of the Evidence:Continuous
cultivation of corn by farmers
Guide Questions
1. Golden Rice
2. Possible answer: GM crops are more
tolerant to stresses such as drought,
cold and heat.
3. Possible answer: GM crops are pest-
resistant and therefore less pest
infestation.
References
Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture https://bit.ly/2NcKCD0

C.K. 12. 2019. Biotechnology and Agriculture https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-

biology-advanced-concepts/section/9.6/

Yorobe, Jose M., and Cesar B. Quicoy. 2006. "Economic impact of Bt corn in the
Philippines." Philippine Agricultural Scientist 89, no. 3: 258.

Godani, K. n.d. Environmental Biotechnology http://bit.ly/30BMXuu

Charles, D. 2012. Farmers Face tough choice on how to fight new strain of weeds
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/03/07/147656157/farmers-
face-tough-choice-on-ways-to-fight-new-strains-of-weeds

Plant Products of Biotechnology. 2020. Genetically Modified Crops retrieved from

http://bit.ly/3bETZF4

U.S. FDA. 2020. GM Crops, Animal Food and Beyond

https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-
food-and-beyond

Fridovich-Keil, J. L. and Diaz, Julia M. 2020. "Genetically modified organism."

Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/genetically-
modified-organism.

Philippidis A. 2016. Mistakes Shorten First Approved GMO’s Shelf Life

https://www.genengnews.com/insights/mistakes-shorten-first-approved-
gmos-shelf-life

Transgenic animals and Ethical issues https://bit.ly/30I8Zf7

Photo and Images Used

Biotech Info Center. 2016. Comparison of Corn with Disease and Bt Corn
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/90620/Business/Bt-corn-
mainstreamed
New Delhi. 2015. Bt Cotton Hybrid. http://bit.ly/3qPFh2w

UPLB IPB Bt Eggplant Project. 2020. GM insect-resistant Bt eggplant could help

Philippines prevent as much as 73% crop losses, cut ‘almost daily’ pesticide
use. Retrieved from https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2020/10/05/without-
gm-insect-resistant-bt-eggplant-filipino-farmers-face-51-73-crop-losses-
almost-daily-pesticide-spraying/
Flavr Savr. 2013. Retrieved from http://flavrsavrgmo.blogspot.com/2013/01/flavr-
savr-tomatoes.html

18
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region III Schools Division of Angeles City

Office Address: Jesus St. Pulungbulu, Angeles City

Telefax: (045) 322-5722; 322-4702 888-0582; 887-6099

Email Address: angeles.city@deped.gov.ph