4/3/2022

Module 3 Section 3

Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) and
Gene Therapy
WMSU
Karla B. Rivero
1
Second Semester, S.Y. 2021-2022

What are GMOs?

This section
• organisms whose genetic material has been artificially
• discusses the moral and ethical issues concerning GMOs
manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering
and their impacts on society
• creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus
• introduces the various forms and applications of gene genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional
therapy crossbreeding methods

• most common examples are crop plants

microbes
– first organisms to be genetically modified

• one of the most controversial issues in S&T

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this section, the students should be able to
• identify the uses and effects of GMOs and gene therapy
on society, particularly in the context of health and
economy,
• discuss the moral and bioethical questions concerning
genetic engineering
– the introduction of genetically modified seeds in the
agriculture sector that resulted in increased crop yield
• new technologies are used to artificially develop traits in
plants, such as resistance to browning and pests
– aim is to improve harvest and the agricultural sector
as a whole
– humans seem to be disinterested in preserving
genetic diversity the natural way

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Advantages • it is a set of technologies used to change the genetic

makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within
• Increased crop yield and across species boundaries to produce improved or
• Pest resistance novel organisms
• Longer shelf life
• Tastier food • new DNA is obtained by either isolating and copying the
genetic material of interest using recombinant DNA
• Disease- and drought-resistant plants that methods or by artificially synthesizing the DNA
require fewer environmental resources (such as
water and fertilizer) • a construct is usually created and used to insert this
• Faster growing plants and animals DNA into the host organism.

• In 1953
Disadvantages
– James Watson and Francis Crick discovered DNA
• Allergic reactions and opened the gates for the countless possibilities of
– Some people believe that GMO foods have more genetic engineering
potential to trigger allergic reactions
• Cancer • In 1972
– Some researchers believe that eating GMO foods can – Paul Berg made the first recombinant DNA molecule
contribute to the development of cancer by combining DNA from the monkey virus SV40 with
the lambda virus
• Antibacterial resistance
• Outcrossing
• In 1973
– Herbet Boyer and Stanley Cohen genetically modified
an organism by combining genes from two different
E.coli

Genetic engineering • In 1982

• associated with recombinant DNA technology
• the process of using recombinant DNA (rDNA)
technology to alter the genetic makeup of an organism
• traditionally, humans have manipulated genomes
indirectly by controlling breeding and selecting offspring
with desired traits
• also called genetic modification or genetic
manipulation
– the US Supreme Court ruled to allow the patenting of
GMOs
– ruling allowed the Exxon Oil company to start using a
microorganism that can consume oil
– the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
the first GMO, Humulin, to be available in the market
Humulin
• a type of insulin produced using genetically
engineered E. coli. bacteria

• is the direct manipulation of an organism's genes using

biotechnology.

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• In 1993 • In 1997
– FDA approved bovine somatotropin (bST) to be used – the European Union ruled in favor of mandatory
commercially labeling on all GMO food products, including animal
feed
bovine somatotropin
• A metabolic protein hormone used to increase milk • In 1998
production in dairy cows – a genetically modified papaya in Hawaii was found to
be resistant to the Ring spot virus and produced the
• In 1994 Bacillus thuringiensis toxin
– FDA approved the Flavr Savr tomato for sale on
grocery stores Bacillus thuringiensis toxin
• An insecticide that is not harmful to humans

• starting 1999
Flavr Savr tomato
– over 100 million acres worldwide are planted with
• Has a delayed-ripening effect that gives a longer
genetically engineered seeds
shelf life compared with natural tomatoes

• In 2000
• In 1995
– golden rice was developed in the Philippines to
– Bt Potatoes and Corn, and Roundup Ready
address vitamin A deficiency
Soybeans were approved safe by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) • became a public health issue in Asian countries
where rice is a staple food crop

• In 1996
golden rice
– Weeds resistant to glyphosate were detected in
Australia • genetically modified to biosynthesize beta-
carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible
parts of the rice

glyphosate – Introduction of golden rice was opposed by

• herbicide used for many GMO crops environmental and anti-globalization advocates
• research shows that super weeds are 7 to 11 times because this GMO was thought to compromise food
more resistant to glyphosate than the standard production, nutrition, and financial security
susceptible population
• In 2003
– Dolly was born – a Bt-toxin-resistant caterpillar-cum-moth, Helicoverpa
zea, was found feasting on GMO Bt cotton crops in
Dolly the southern United States
• first cloned animal

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• In 2006
– Yorkshire pigs were genetically modified to produce
offspring that produce the enzyme phytase in their
saliva to digest plant phosphorus, unlike that of
normal pigs

• In 2011
– A research in eastern Quebec found Bt toxins in the
blood of pregnant women and showed evidence that
the toxin could be passed on to the babies

• In 2012 Gene therapy

– French farmer Paul Francois sued Monsanto for
chemical poisoning that he claimed was caused by
the pesticide, Lasso, which was part of the Roundup
Ready line of products
• In 2013
– corn and poplars were genetically modified and used
to produce biofuel, which is regarded as an efficient
substitute for petroleum prodfucts
• In 2014
– The patent on the Roundup Ready line of genetically
engineered seeds ended
• a method of inserting genes or nucleic acid into cells as
a drug to treat genetic diseases
• In 1972
– Theodore Friedman and Richard Roblin proposed
that people with genetic disorders can be treated by
replacing defective DNA with good DNA
• In 1985
– Dr. W. French Anderson and Dr. Michael Blasse
worked together to show that cells of patients with
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency can be
corrected in tissue culture

• production and consumption of GMOs are being argued • In 1990

upon due to their safety alongside the right of humans to
modify naturally occuring organisms
• new organisms can pose ecological issues because the
long-term effects of genetic engineering to the
environment is uncertain
• GMOs may cause imbalance in the ecology of a region
just as what exotic species do
• an accident in genetically engineered a virus or bacteria
could result in super bacteria that display antimicrobial
resistance, which may cause a serious pandemic when
released
– the first approved gene therapy clinical research took
place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under
the team of Dr. Anderson
• In 1993
– the first somatic treatment that produced a permanent
genetic change was performed
• In 2003
– first commercial gene therapy product Gendicine was
approved in China for the treatment of certain cancers

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• In 2016
• The release of GMO’s into the environment:
– the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
(CHMP) for the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
endorsed the gene therapy treatment called – Danger of possibility of GMO’s being released into the
Strimvelis that was approved by the European environment.
Commission in June 2018
– GMO’s grown in bioreactors do not provoke as much
fear.

– GMO’s grown outdoors - fears of foreign genes they

contain being spread to other plants.

• Outlined below are some fears associated with the use

of GMO’s as a food source:

– Cannibalism:
• eating an animal containing a human gene is a
form of cannibalism.
• feeding GMO’s containing human genes to
animals that would later be eaten by humans.

– Religious reasons:
• eating cow genes that are inserted into sheep
would be offensive to HINDUs.

• Various concerns on genetic engineering arise, making – Offensive to vegetarians/vegans:

gene therapy and GMOs very controversial innovations
in science and technology • eating animal genes contained in food plants
cause concern.

• Genetic engineering have caused severe repercussions

– Animal Welfare:
to public health
• there is serious concern that animals will suffer as
a result of being genetically modified.
• Until today, cloning is still unacceptable to many for it
violates the belief that only a higher being should be • use of growth hormones may cause limb
responsible for the existence of organisms on earth deformation and arthritis as animals grow.

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• The following issues are a cause for concern:

– If tests are carried out for genetic diseases, who is entitled
to see the results?

– tests on unborn babies

• could this lead to abortion if a disease is shown to be
present?

– Insurance/lending companies
• will they insist on genetic tests before they will
insure/lend money to a person?

– Need for legal controls over the uses to which human cells
can be put.

– Development and expansion of eugenics.