Download Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

GMOs
Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs) ...
... are organisms in which the genetic material
has been modified. Such organisms are
different from those occurring naturally. The
characteristics of an organism may be modified
in a laboratory setting to produce an organism
with desired characteristics – a GMO.
For thousands of years humans have been
selecting the characteristics they prefer in plants
and animals in order to satisfy their needs. This
involved selecting and breeding the most
beautiful, the strongest and the most productive
with a hope to produce offspring which would
have inherited some of the desirable traits.
Today, however, humans can directly alter the
genetic code of an organism, radically, rapidly
and precisely, modifying them like never before.
Genes can be transferred from one organism
to the other. This process of gene manipulation
in a laboratory setting is known as genetic
engineering or recombinant DNA technology.
A gene is that section of the DNA which contains
information about a particular characteristic or
function of the organism, such as the colour of
the eyes, the athletic ability, and even diseases
and conditions. Altering the genes of an
organism means that the characteristics of the
organism are being altered. A gene from a
completely different species can be used – for
example tomatoes can be genetically modified
to stay fresh for longer by inserting a gene from
fish into their DNA – something that is not
possible by selective breeding.
The discovery of the possibility to alter the
genetic makeup of an organism has led to an
explosion of research and development which
has benefited many fields - agriculture,
medicine, environment protection and the
chemical industry amongst others. But there has
also been some controversy surrounding these
recent developments. This science is full of
promise ... but is it safe? Is it desirable?
More info ?
Should you require any futher information do not hesitate to contact the Nature Protection Unit
within MEPA’s Environment Protection Directorate, on telephone numbers (+356) 2290 6009
and (+356) 2290 3091 or via email : [email protected]
www.mepa.org.mt
Some uses of GMOs
Genetically
modified animals
that produce
beneficial products
for humans e.g.
insulin from pigs
Genetically modified
animal feeds such as
maize with higher
protein content
Micro-organisms
genetically modified
to produce vaccines
Genetically altered
crops with new
characteristics
such as longer
shelf life or better
pest resistance
Regulating GMOs
GMOs bring benefits to society as well as risks.
Thus, there are strict regulations in Malta and
the EU to ensure that a case-by-case evaluation
is carried out in order to assess the effects of a
new GMO on society and the environment
before it is released from the laboratory setting.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority
(MEPA), is the competent authority in Malta for
the implementation of the regulations pertaining
to GMOs that have an impact on the
environment. These include all living GMOs
such as seeds, unprocessed grains, plants and
animals. On the contrary, products derived from
GMOs, such as tomato paste from a genetically
modified tomato, do not have any impact on
the environment and are therefore not covered
by these regulations.
In order to ensure an integrated approach in
the effective implementation of these
regulations, MEPA has set up an advisory
committee, the Biosafety Co-ordinating
Committee (BCC). This committee was set up
by virtue of the Biosafety Co-ordinating
Committee Regulations, 2002, (Legal Notice
290 of 2002) with the aim of achieving an
integrated approach on biosafety, the contained
use of GMOs, the deliberate release into the
environment and the placing on the market of
GMOs. The ultimate aim is to achieve a high
level of protection of human health and the
environment. The main function of the BCC is
to advise MEPA and the Minister responsible
for Rural Affairs and the Environment on
environmental implications of GMOs.
This publication was financed by the UNEP-GEF project for the
Development of a National Biosafety Framework for Malta