MODULE 10

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM

INTENDED LEARNING OUCOMES

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Discuss the nature of biotechnology

2. Explain the meaning of genetically modified organism (GMOs) and its usages in
various aspect like agriculture amd food industry, medicine, research and
aquaculture
3. Identify the issues of genetically modified organisms
4. Discuss different ethics, implications and potential impact of GMOs

INTRODUCTION
Growth in human population and increasing urbanization increase the demand
for food. Agriculture and aquaculture constitutes a significant sector of the world
economy, and its ability to respond to increasing demand for animal and plant products
can be aided by biotechnology.
According to European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), biotechnology is the
integration of natural Sciences and organism, cells, parts, thereof, and molecular
analogues for products and services. This definition is applicable to both traditional and
new biotechnology. Traditional biotechnology refers to conventional techniques that
have been used to produce beer, wine, cheese and many other foods. New
biotechnology embraces all methods of genetic modification by recombinant
deoxynucleic acid (DNA) and cell fusion techniques together with the modern
development of traditional ‘biotechnological processes.
Biotechnology has revolutionized the way agriculture approaches improvement of
valuable traits, through selective breeding or through the production of genetically
modified organism. The application of this genetic modification is to speed up genetic
gain, such as precise methods in stocking genes and shortening the process in
developing desirable products.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are organisms that have had their
characteristics changed through the modification of their DNA. By changing an
organism’s genome-the genetic endowment of an organism which resides with the
nucleic acids of the chromosomes, we can change its characteristics. Genome editing is
a way of making specific changes to the DNA of a cell or organism. An enzyme cuts the
DNA at a specific sequence, and when this is repaired by the cell a change or ‘edit’ is
made to the sequence. The process of creating GMOs is called genetic engineering or
genetic modification. Because this process involves the transfer of genes, GMOs are
also known as transgenic organisms.
There are several techniques that can be used to modify a genome:
1. Agrobacterium-mediated' genetic modification is a technique used to introduce new
DNA into a plant genome using a modified microbe?

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2. Gene targeting' is a technique used to introduce new DNA into selected regions of a
genome through a process called homologous recombination?
3. Genome editing' is a technique used to change selected regions of a genome
using enzymes designed to cut specific DNA sequences?

Timeline of selected traits modified by genome editing in plants, animals and for
medical applications

Crispr-Cas 9
Crispr-Cas 9 is the acronym for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic
Repeats (CRSPR) ASSOCIATED PROTEIN 9. As a gene editing technology, it gives
scientist the ability to change an organisms DNA. It can be used to add, remove or alter
genetic material at specific locations in the genome. This innovative technology is based
on a naturally occurring adaptive immune system that provides acquired immunity
against foreign viruses and plasmids in bacteria and archaea. The CRISPR/Cas9
technology has three important components namely, Cas9 endonuclease, single guide
RNA and protospacer adjacent motif. It takes advantage of the ability of the cell to repair
double strand breaks either through non-homologous directed repair pathway.

Guide RNA binds to target sequence

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Cas9 enzymes binds to guide RNA Cas9 enzymes cuts both strands of DNA
The cut is repaired introducing mutation

Diagram showing how the CRISPR-Cas9 editing tool works.

Image credit: Genome Research Limited.
The genome found in every cell of our body contains over 20 thousand genes
and over 3 billion letters of DNA that sustains life, shapes who we are and determines
our risks of having a disease. CRISPR-Cas9 system has wide applications in plant and
animal breeding as well as in drug development and human gene therapy. It is a natural
immune defense system found in lower forms of organisms like bacteria and has been
tweaked to work in higher plants and animals, relatively quick and affordable method of
genome editing. It also allow introduction of precise, predictable modifications in an elite
genetic background, avoiding the mess and cost associated with sorting tens and
thousands of genes mixed up in conventional plant breeding.

Benefits of GMOs
Agricultural plants are one of the most frequently cited examples GMOs. Some
benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs
for food or drug production, reduced the need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient
composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security,
and medical benefits to the world's growing population.

List of example of Currently Use Genetically Modified Organisms

1. Herbicide tolerance
An example is soybean. Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup)
tolerance conferred by expression of a glyphosate-
tolerant form of the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-
3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) isolated from the soil
bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens

2. Insect resistance

An exampleis Bt corn. Resistance to insect pests,

specifically the European corn borer, through expression
of the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab from Bacillus
thuringiensis

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3. Altered fatty acid composition

High laurate levels achieved by inserting the gene for

ACP thioesterase from the California bay
tree Umbellularia californica

4. Virus resistance

Resistance to plum pox virus conferred by insertion of a

coat protein (CP) gene from the virus

5. Fortification

Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, is introduced

through biosynthesis in the endosperm of the golden rice.
This is a practical way to provide poor farmers
subsistence crop capable of adding much needed
Vitamin A to avoid high risk of infection, diseases and
blindness.

6. Vaccines

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in

transgenic tobacco induces immune response when
injected into mice
7. Faster maturation
A type 1 growth hormone gene injected into fertilized fish
eggs results in 6.2% retention of the vector at one year of
age, as well as significantly increased growth rates

8. Flower production
Several traits of ornamental plants have already been
modified including flower color, fragrance, flower shape,
plant architecture, flowering time, postharvest life and
resistance for both biotic and abiotic stresses. Transgenic
ornamentals the most common techniques

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 being Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and
particle bombardment.

9. Paper production
Scientists identified an enzyme in other plants that
contain more digestible lignin monomers. The resulting
trees showed no difference in growth and strength, but
their lignin showed improved digestibility.

10. Bioremediation
Biomolecular engineering approaches develops GMOs
for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants
(POPs) like polyaromatic hydrocarbons PAHs,
polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs, and pesticides.
Recently, several developments in the field of
recombinant DNA technologies have been carried out to
achieve safe and efficient bioremediation of
contaminated sites.

Risks and Controversies Surrounding the Use of GMOs

1. Unintended Impacts on Other Species
One example of public debate over the use of a genetically modified plant
involves the case of Bt corn. Bt corn expresses a protein from the bacterium Bacillus
thuringiensis. Prior to construction of the recombinant corn, the protein had long
been known to be toxic to a number of pestiferous insects, including the monarch
caterpillar, and it had been successfully used as an environmentally friendly
insecticide for several years. The benefit of the expression of this protein by corn
plants is a reduction in the amount of insecticide that farmers must apply to their
crops. Unfortunately, seeds containing genes for recombinant proteins can cause
unintentional spread of recombinant genes or exposure of non-target organisms to
new toxic compounds in the environment.
2. Unintended Economic Consequences
Biotech companies seek for protection for their products and technologies by
acquiring patent for inventions, plant breeder’s right and trade secret. GMO seeds
may be expensive, reflecting the high cost of developing and testing plants. The
farmers who stand to gain the most from transgenic plants are often unable to afford
them.
3. Ecological imbalance
Introduction of the GMOs in the natural environment may cause disruption of the
natural communities through competition or interference.

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4. Mutation in organism
Genetic modification promotes mutation in organism which the long term effect is
still unknown. It may mutate to become more resistant or virulent that may cause
more dreadful diseases for human beings.
5. Produce new pathogen
The possibility of GMO to become pest and post threat if it escapes in the
environment.
6. Potential human risk
Others worry that unfamiliar protein combinations in transgenic crops could
trigger food allergies since it is not naturally occurring or organically produced.
Production of toxins and allergens may have adverse effects on human body. It may
also alter the balance of existing microorganism in the human digestive system.
7. Bioterrorism
Many countries and regions have establishes high tech facilities for vaccine or
single-cell protein production that could be hub for the reproduction of biological
weapons One example is the USSR's 'invisible anthrax', resulting from the
introduction of an alien gene into Bacillus anthracis that altered its immunological
properties.

Biosafety on GMOs
On September 11, 2003, “the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)” has been
adopted by 167 parties to recognize the need of biosafety in GE research and
development activities. The Protocol entered into force, and its main objectives are:

a) to set up the procedures for safe trans-boundary movement of living modified

organisms,
b) harmonize principles and methodology for risk assessment and establish a
mechanism for information sharing through the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH).

Research work in the area of GE and GMOs requires prior approval from the
appropriate regulatory authorities of the country. Following guidelines provided for
minimizing biosafety issues is mandatory. The primary regulatory body at research
institute level is the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) or its equivalent body
consisting of experts from different relevant disciplines. The IBSC ensures existence of
the basic biosafety equipment required as per the safety level of the experiments to be
conducted. While dealing with GM animals it also becomes mandatory to get prior
approval of the local Animal Ethics Committee or Animal Welfare Committee for
conducting GE experiments on the animal species and the attempted trait modification.
What so ever importance of the research work may be, ethical considerations and
animal welfare cannot overlooked.

GMOS in Aquaculture
Green revolution was one of the great technological success of the 20 th century,
because of scientifically breed and high yielding varieties of crops kept pace with
population growth. Yet today, millions of Filipinos are still poor and undernourished so
there is a need for another revolution, but this time in another front- a “ blue revolution”.

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Philippines is surrounded by water, so there is a need to develop blue economy. Blue
economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved
livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem (World Bank)."
The success of aquaculture lies on the complete control; of reproduction and life
cycle, the genetic background of the parent fish stocks, efficient detection and effective
prevention of diseases, a thorough understanding of the optimal physiological,
environmental and nutritional conditions for growth and development, sufficient supply
of good quality water and innovative management techniques.
The first recorded instances of production of transgenic in aquatic species are
those of Maclean and Talwar (1984) in rainbow trout and Zhu et al. (1985) in goldfish.
The most popular gene in aquatic species is growth hormone (GH) to boost the
production of food. Genetic manipulation also addresses other non-growth
characteristics that are considered desirable. Traits include disease resistance,
sterilization for biological containment, nutritional improvement and cold or freeze
tolerance. This is currently being addressed by the use of DNA vaccines (encoding part
of the pathogen genome) and antimicrobial agents such as lysozyme (Demers and
Bayne 1997).

Transgenic fish lines geared for aquaculture production

SPECIES MODIFICATION BENEFIT REFERENCE

GENETIC
Atlantic Growth To enhance growth and Melamed et al.,2002
salmon hormones increase cold tolerance Hew &
Anti-Freeze Fletcher,2001
Protein
Mud Triploidy Accelerated growth, gigantism Nam, Cho &
loach and likely sterility Cho,2001
Carp Growth Higher growth rates than the Hinits and
hormones non-transgenic controls Moav,1999

Tilapia Growth Stable germ line transmission Martinez et al., 1999

hormones in a fast growing transgenic Rahman et al., 1998
fertility reduced
Seabass DNA Vaccine To manage viral diseases Sulaiman, 1998
in farmed fish
Foreign gene transferred by
injection into the muscles
Zebrafish Triploidy To induce sterility Marichamy, 1997
induction
Rainbow Growth To enhance growth Chen et al., 1996
trout hormones

Catfish Growth Rate of cointegration higher Erdelyi et al., 1994

hormones than expected for
independent events

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Goldfish Neomycin To assess use of gene as a Yoon et al., 1990
marker for expression Successful
in one fish

Activity 11
Forum on GM foods . The class will be divided into 6 groups, with each group
performing one of the following roles: (a) consumers; (b) GM foods manufacturers; (c)
environmentalists; (d) farmers; (e) scientists; (f) religious leaders. Students may
research in the internet about their role in the progress of GMO.
Guide question
1. In which of the following aspects do you think it is worthwhile to develop genetic
engineering?
2. What is your stand about the issue that GMO is just harming little farmers
because they cannot produce their own seeds?
3. Do you agree to label GMO foods?
4. Is the safety of GM foods assessed differently from conventional foods?
5. What are the issues of concern for the environment?

SELF TEST 11

Name :____________________________ Score:_________

Year/Course:_______________________ Date:_________

I. MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE. Write T if the statement is correct. If the statement is

wrong change the underlined word/s to make it correct.
__________1. Crispr-Cas 9 is a technology used to remove or alter genetic material
at specific locations in the genome.
__________2. Beta-carotene is introduces through biosynthesis for the production of
vitamin A rich soybean.
__________3. Genetic engineering is a lab-based technique where foreign gene is
inserted into the DNA of the organism.
__________4. Green economy is sustainable management and use of natural
resources in maritime sector.
__________5. Growth hormone is developed in Atlantic salmon to withstand the
freezing condition permit their survival in subzero environments.
__________6. Mutation is the use of either naturally occurring microorganisms to
consume and break down environmental pollutants.
__________7. ‘The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)” ensure the safe handling,
transport and use of GMO.
__________8. Vaccine such as anthrax are developed by large facilities of different
countries to boost their economic growth.
__________9. Golden Rice is develop to complement existing interventions to
address deficiency anemia.
__________10. Herbicide tolerance in soybean is possible because GMO has EPSPS
isolated from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis

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