WHAT IS GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM?

• A Genetically Modified organism is

one whose genetic material has
been altered using genetic
engineering.
• Genetically modified organism or
GMO, are commonly used in foods
and medicines. This has led to
concern about the dangers they
might cause to environment and to
human health.
HISTORY OF GMO
HOW GMO ARE PRODUCED
• By eliminating, modifying or adding
copies of specific genes often from
other organism through modern
molecular biology techniques
METHODS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
• Because living organism have
natural barriers to protect
themselves against the
introduction of DNA from different
species, genetic engineers must
force the DNA from one organism
into another
Methods
• Using Viruses or bacteria to “Infect”
animal or plant cell with the new
DNA
• Coating DNA unto tiny metal pallets
and with it a special gun into the
cells.
• Injecting the new DNA into fertilized
eggs a very fine needle.
• Using electric shocks to create
holes in the membrane covering
sperm, and then forcing the new
DNA into the sperm through these
holes
COMMON TYPES OF GMO
Food – Crops are modified so when
farmer kill weeds with herbicides
the crops can with stand the
exposure to the herbicide – killing
the weeds not the crop
-- Although it is not as common,
some type of GMOs are modified to
increase their nutrient content.
Medicine – Genetically modified
medicine can be produced cheaper
and easier.
COMMON FOOD GMO
COMMON MEDICINE GMO
• vaccines
• antivenoms
• bacteria derived toxins
• Immunoglobulins
• monoclonal antibodies
• allergens
• blood products and clotting factors
• hormones such as insulin, growth
hormone,
• enzymes such as pancreatins
• heparins.
MYTHS VS FACTS
Myrths
• There are dozens of GMO crops,
including strawberries, bananas and
wheat. There is even GMO water and
GMO salt.
• GMOs cause cancer, autism, allergies,
gluten intolerance and other illnesses.
• GMO companies force farmers to grow
their seeds or sue famers if GMO seeds
or pollen blow into other fields.
Facts
• There are only 10 genetically modified
crops commercially available today:
alfalfa, apples, canola, corn (field and
sweet), cotton, papaya, potatoes,
soybeans, squash and sugar beets.
• While some people may think there is
such a thing as ‘GMO cancer’, in the 20-
plus years on the market, GMOs have not
caused or contributed to a single illness
or death.
• Farmers choose what seeds to grow
based on what is best for their farms,
market demand and local growing
environments
MYTHS VS FACTS
MYTHS
• GMOs harm bees, butterflies and other
pollinators.
• GMOs increase the price of food.
• If livestock eats genetically modified
grain, there will be GMO milk, meat and
eggs.
• No long-term health studies have been
conducted on GMO crops.
• GMOs have a negative impact on the
environment.
Facts
• GMOs are not believed to have any impact
on honey bee populations.
• GMOs have actually contributed to
reducing the real cost of food.
• GMOs have never been detected in milk,
meat or eggs derived from animals fed
GM feed.
• GMO crops are repeatedly and extensively
tested for consumer and environmental
safety.
• GMOs allow farmers to preserve the land
while doing more with fewer resources,
and help us address today's most
pressing environmental challenges.
PROS AND CONS OF GMO FOOD
Pros
• It costs less to produce GMO foods
• Fewer weeds invade the crop
• Provides a sweeter taste to fruits
• Provides higher nutritionally
improved traits to provide health
benefits for consumers
Cons
• Many plants are now producing bacterial
toxins leading to resistant bugs
• Superweeds have been discovered that
resist normal herbicides
• Humans are consuming these harmful
bacterias and toxins
• GMOs are a new food source to humans
which causes allergic reactions to some
people
• In rare cases, cancer is found because of
the altered chemicals in food products
COMPARISON
ARE GMO GOOD OR BAD

• In the field medicine, genetically

modified insulin's, as medical
application are widely accepted
• However, not the same norm
goes with food and agriculture
END NA