Genetically modified crops

Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in

agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using
genetic engineering methods. Plant genomes can be
engineered by physical methods or by use of Agrobacterium
for the delivery of sequences hosted in T-DNA binary vectors.
In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant
which does not occur natura Genetically modified cropslly in
the species. Examples in food crops include resistance to
certain pests, diseases, environmental conditions, reduction
of spoilage, resistance to chemical treatments (e.g. resistance
to a herbicide), or improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
Examples in non-food crops include production of
pharmaceutical agents, biofuels, and other industrially useful
goods, as well as for bioremediation
 Genetically Modified Plants

A GM plant is defined as a plant that is produced using

transgenic methods. These plants are also called transgenic
or genetically engineered plants. Transgenic methods are
molecular methods that enable the transfer of a gene or
potentially a group of genes from an individual of one species
to an individual or individuals of a different species.
Currently, there are two common methods by which purified
genes are introduced into plant cells: one uses the Ti plasmid
of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer the gene as a part
of the plasmid; the other uses a metal particle or fiber or an
electric pulse to pierce the cell wall and carry the gene into
the nucleus (also called gene gun or electroporation). All of
the insecticidal-transgenic crops currently available are based
on cry toxin genes from B. thuringiensis, and a few now
under development are based on other toxin-coding genes
from B. thuringiensis. The cry genes code for crystalline
proteins that are toxic to some insects. Most of transgenic
crops under development aim to address one of four broad
needs: improved agricultural characteristics, improved post-
harvest processing, improved food quality and other novel
products for human use, and improved mitigation of
environmental pollution. Furthermore, the limitations and
potential adverse effects of transgenic or genetically
engineered plants are discussed
INTEXT :

01 GENETICALY MODIFIED CROPS

02 GENETICALY MODIFIED PLANTS

03 GENETICALLY MODIFIED MEDICINES

04 GENETICALLY MODIFIED ANIMALS

05 ENVIROPIG

06 WEBB SPINNIG GOAT

07 FAST GROWING SALMON

08 LESS FLATULENT COWS

09 GLITTERING GOLD SEA HORSE

10 CONCLUSION
 Genetically Modified Medicines
Genetically modified medicines are a world changing idea.
This has not only helped to cure diseases like diabetes,
hypertension, but also in treating certain genetic disorders.

Fredrick Banting, the creator of Insulin was the first man who
genetically modified medicine created by modifying a gene
extracted from the intestine of the pig into a bacterium. Later
on, an american company developed a genetically engineered
insulin by modifying the E.coli bacteria.

Other examples of Genetically Modified medicines include

vaccines, antivenoms, bacteria derived toxins,
Immunoglobulins and the like. Even some genetically
engineered plants produce edible vaccines which prevent
various diseases.
Apart from medicines, gene therapy can also be carried out to
treat a hereditary disease.This kind of treatment was first
carried out in 1990 to treat a 4 year old child with adenosine
deaminase deficiency syndrome. Recombinant DNA
technology is also used to diagnose diseases where
conventional methods won’t work.
 Genetically Modified Animals
Genetically modified animals are animals that have been
genetically modified for a variety of purposes including
producing drugs, enhancing yields, increasing resistance to
disease, etc. The vast majority of genetically modified
animals are at the research stage while the number close to
entering the market remains small.
Genetic modification of an animal involves altering its genetic
material by adding, changing or removing certain DNA
sequences in a way that does not occur naturally. It aims to
modify specific characteristics of an animal or introduce a
new trait, such as disease resistance or enhanced growth.
DNA is the genetic material of an organism and carries the
instructions for all the characteristics that an organism
inherits. Changes introduced in an animal’s genetic make-up
can therefore be transmitted to the next generation.

While this technology has so far been used in plants for

agriculture and in micro-organisms to produce enzymes, the
potential application of genetic modification techniques to
animals is also being researched. Several international
organisations, including FAO/WHO and the United States
Food and Drug Administration, have already published
guidelines for the safety assessment of these animals and
their derived products.
 05. Genetically Modified Animals
1.Enviropig;
Enviropig, also known as Frankenswine, is a type
of pig which was genetically modified: it contains DNA from
the mouse and E. Coli. So it can process and digest
phosphorus better, and then it is unnecessary to feed them
with additional phosphorus. This kind of pig is created for the
current issue that normal pig manure contains high levels of
phosphorus, so if it is used as fertilizer, this chemical gets into
the water, leading to algae blooms and oxygen depletion as
well as death of marine life. The enviropig won't need to be
fed with phosphorus, so their manure has quite low level of it,
thus they won't do harm to the marine animals.
02. Web-Spinning Goats
When it comes to natural goods, flexible and strong spider
silk is incredibly valuable. If we were able to make it on a
larger scale, it would be useful for parachute cords, artificial
ligaments, and everything in between. Nexia Biotechnologies
announced in 2000 the creation of one of the genetically
engineered animals to fix this problem. They engineered a
goat which produces the protein found in spiders' webs in its
milk. To do this, they inserted a dragline silk gene from
spiders into goats. You can use the silk milk produced by the
goats to create Biosteel, a web-like material.
03. Fast-Growing Salmon
AquaBounty made their contribution to the world' genetically
modified animals in the form of a fast-growing salmon. This
fish is actually able to grow twice as fast as typical fish,
despite having the same odor, color, texture, and flavor of
standard salmon. These Atlantic salmon were genetically
engineered to add the growth hormone of Chinook salmon
so they can produce the necessary growth hormone
throughout the entire year. The hormone stays activated
thanks to a gene of ocean pout, a fish that is eel-like. There
are still debates, however, as to whether this fish is safe to
eat. If the FDA approves them, they would not need a label
indicating that these are genetically modified.
04.Less-Flatulent Cows
Cows are known for their high production of methane, the
second largest factor for the greenhouse effect. Cows
naturally produce methane due to their digestion process,
specifically a bacterium that results from the cow diet of
grass and hay, both of which are high in cellulose. Agriculture
research scientists from the University of Alberta worked to
identify this bacterium that is responsible for methane.
Afterwards, they created cattle with 25 percent less
production of methane compared to average cows
05. Glittering Gold Seahorses
You can actually buy a glittering gold seahorse if you really
want to. Vietnamese scientists created this, the first of
genetically modified animals originating from Vietnam.
Scientists used the gene shooting method to insert a mixture
of jellyfish proteins and gold dust into the eggs of a seahorse.
While gold seahorses are pretty, gene shooting has many
other implications, such as treating diabetes and other
incurable diseases by replacement of problematic DNA within
the body.
Conclusion:
Genetically modified organisms
offer many potential benefits to the
environment. It helps in reducing ecological
damage. For instance, certain genetically
engineered bacteria can produce
biodegradable plastics. A bacterium called
Ralstonia eutropha converts glucose and
some other acids into a flexible polymer. This
polymer is used for making plastic.
 Advantages of gmo
They allow the transfer of individual genes from one
organism to another, as well as between unrelated species.
Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often called
GMO foods. GMO topics are popular nowadays and students
often choose them to write their paper.
They offer more useful knowledge for genetics and They add
more value to crops. yield products that are found to be safe
and They are known to decrease the prices of food.

Disadvantages of gmo

They would make plants that leave unwanted residual effects

to remain in the soil for a long period of time andThey can
pose a threat to the insects that are important to the
ecosystem.
They can produce more weeds and can threaten the lives of
animals and They are believed to change the field of
agriculture in a negative way.