Download Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs)
And how they are important in the 21st century
By: SB
What Are GMOs?
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GMOs are organisms who have had their genetic
makeup altered to give them new characteristics or
traits.
Can be used to greatly improve all types of organisms
Bacterial Cells
Plants
Animals
Humans
How They’re Created
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Desired gene is isolated and cut with restriction enzymes
Replicated many times through PCR or bacterial plasmids.
2 ways of getting the gene into the cell…
- A vector (bacterial plasmids or viruses)
- Shotgun method (bio-ballistics)
Done in the embryonic stem cells.
2 types of genetic engineering
- Positive eugenics
- Negative eugenics
http://www.littletree.com.au/dna.htm
GM Bacterial Cells
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Antibiotic resistant bacteria made to help find
new drugs
Human genes added to bacteria to produce
human hormones that can treat certain diseases
or disorders.
Certain bacteria can be used to benefit our
environment.
Genetically Modified Plants
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Enhances the taste and quality of fruits,
vegetables, grains, etc.
Takes less time to ripen and stays ripe longer
Greater resistance to disease, insects and
herbicides
Increases the yield of the crop
http://www.pub.ac.za/resources/docs/cartoon_gm_crops.jpg
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/crops/a1219-2.gif
http://1820.org.uk/2006/01/food
_for_freedom.shtml
http://carroll1.cc.edu/~fys/ppp/GMPlants.htm
Genetically Modified Animals
Agriculture
 Better yield of meat, eggs and milk
 Increased resistance, hardiness and productivity
Pharming
 Certain animals produce substances that are useful
in treating human patients
Medical Research
 Helps to determine what certain genes do
 Experiments done on animals with human
diseases allow for discoveries of new drugs
Genetically Modified Humans
Eradicates all genetic diseases.
 All physical traits of a person can be
modified to be what the parents wish.
 It’s believed that psychological and social
characteristics can be altered as well.
 Improve health and lifespan.
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Pertinence in the 21st Century
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The use of genetically modified crops and
animals to help solve world hunger problems
Using genetically modified bacteria or animals in
the field of medical research to find or develop
new drugs
Genetic engineering of humans to eradicate
genetic diseases
Germline manipulation of humans to produce
“designer babies”
Acknoledgements
______. (2007). GM Animals. Retrieved Dec. 14, 2007 from
<http://royalsociety.org/page.asp?id=1229>.
Frankel, Mark S. (May 2001). Facing Inheritable Genetic Modifications. EBSCO Host Research
Database, volume 292 (issue 5520). Retrieved Dec. 12, 2007 from
<http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=116&sid=65b10e90-d9aa-4c0a-a51f797a41740ea4%40sessionmgr103>.
Hayes, Richard. (Jan. 2000). In the Pipeline: Genetically Modified Humans. The Multinational Monitor,
Volume 21 (number 1 & 2). Retrieved Dec. 2, 2007 from
<http://multinationalmonitor.org/mm2000/mm0001.09.html>.
McCuen, Gary E. (1985). Manipulating Life: Debating the Genetic Revolution. Hudson, Wisconsin: Gary
McCuen Publications inc.
Steinbracher, Ricarda. (July 1998). What is Genetic Engineering. Retrieved Nov. 25, 2007 from
<http://online.sfsu.edu/%7Erone/GEessays/WhatisGE.html>.
Watson, James D. (2004). DNA: The Secret of Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Zaitlin, Milton. (2007). Biotechnology. Access Science. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2007 from
<http://accessscience.com/content.aspx?id=084350>.