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GMO’s
A risk assessment of genetical
modification in food,clothes and
biofuel production
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund
Svanberg
M. Monroe,&K.E.Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Introduction
• GMO = genes added to genome of organism
through transformation
• GM used in:
– Food/clothes -> crops + animals
– Biofuel -> crops + bacteria
• Benefits / Risks
– Ecology
– Human health
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Use GM increasing
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Objectives
• Discuss:
– Advantages/disadvantages GM in:
• Food/Clothes
• Biofuel
– Ecological consequences
• Not discussing:
– Animals
– Ethics
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Ideal GMO
Features:
– No hybridisation
– Contained expression
– Vector removal
– Harmless gene product
– Stable genetic construct
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
• Hybridization
– Non-transgenic field population
– wild population
– cross species
• Requirements:
– Flowering time
– Close
– Genetic compatibility
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Relative risk of cross-pollination from crops
to wild relatives
High risk:
Low risk:
Minimal risk:
Sugar beet
White clover
Scots pine
Apple
Rye grass
Lucerne
Poplar
Cabbage
Carrot
Plum
Oilseed rape
Potato
Wheat
Tomato
Maize
Broad bean
Pea
Cucumber
Sunflower
Spruce
Grapes
Strawberry
Douglas fir
Flax
Barley
Blackcurrant
Lettuce
Raspberry
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Benefits GMO’s
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reduces costs/illness caused by pesticides
Higher yield
Higher nutritional value
Protection against insect damage
Reduction in agricultural land
Conservation of resources through less use of
labour, fuel, fertilizer and water
• Water quality protection
• Protection against plant diseases
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
biofuels
• Crops
– Oilseed rape
– Soya bean
– Wheat
– Tree biomass
• Bacteria
– Clostridium acetobutylicum
• Fermentation substrates
• Enclosed in factory -> risk of spilling
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg
Negative ecological effects
• Insect resistance to toxin producing plants
• Slow down evolution
• Species interaction a complex matter
• Fewer species -> higher dependence
M. Monroe, K. Grond,
P. Skoglund & E. Svanberg