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GMO
genetically modified
organisms
What is a GMO?
• An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered using
the techniques of genetic engineering.
• A Closer Look Scientists today have the ability to modify the
genetic makeup of plants and animals, and even to transfer genes
from one species to another. Not since nuclear power has a
technology been so controversial, with opponents concerned about
the creation of so-called Frankenfoods and proponents promising a
better tomorrow through science.
• The term genetically modified organism
(GMO) is used to refer to any microorganism,
plant, or animal in which genetic engineering
techniques have been used to introduce,
remove, or modify specific parts of its
genome. Examples include plants being
modified for pest resistance; lab animals
being manipulated to exhibit human
diseases, such as sickle cell anemia; and
even glowing jellyfish genes inserted in a
rabbit for an art piece. GMOs show great
promise in improving agriculture.
• Plants could be engineered to better tolerate
temperature or weather extremes, to contain
various vitamins, or to dispense medicines and
vaccines. Many think genetically modified foods
have the potential to end world hunger. On the
other hand, there are fears that the disease- or
pest-resistant genes inserted into crop plants
might escape into other plants, creating hard-tocontrol superweeds. There is also the possibility
of unexpected effects on other flora and fauna,
the risk of agriculture being controlled by
biotech companies, and, as with any new
technology, problems that are yet unknown.
Applications of GMO
AGRICULTURE
BACTERIA
bacteria introduced into the soil
improve its characteristics (eg
nitrogen-fixing bacteria) or protect
plants from frost.
MYCETES
PLANTS
ANIMALS
NUTRITION
improved agronomic practices: eg.
plants tolerant to water stress or
salinity, crops tolerant to specific
herbicides
introduction of resistance traits
specific: eg. plants resistant to insects
or viruses
energy production: varieties with
higher heating power and require less
chemical inputs can be used even on
marginal areas
MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
production of medicines
such as insulin
Biological cure
production of
enzymes used in the
food industry,
improvement of
processes of
fermentation
production of biomedicine
improvements in
nutritional and
organoleptic qualities:
eg. rice high in betacarotene, tomatoes
ripening slowed
production of drugs /
compounds in the plant
(molecular farming): lowcost production of
pharmaceutical
substances and chemical
properties, reduced
waste industrial
chemicals
improvement of the
characteristics required at
the industrial level of the
raw materials (eg poplar,
with a rate of less lignin to
facilitate the process of
manufacture of paper
pulp)
phytoremediation
animal products with
better nutritional and
organoleptic
characteristics: eg.
milk with higher
content of casein,
lactose-free milk
production of biomedicine
models for research on
human disease (eg the
oncotopo)
animal organ donors for
xenotransplantation
synthesis of molecules of
interest to the industry
GOM’s food dangers
• The most common problem caused by
consumption of GOM products seems to be thus
chronic inflammation of the intestine, because
the genetically modified material interferes with
the natural process of absorption of nutrients
and the production of enzymes necessary for a
healthy digestion. Other effects are related to the
fact that a large amount of our DNA is the result
of a transfer of viral DNA occurred more than 40
million years ago, and a further shift could cause
mutations that occur with psychiatric conditions.
The worldwide distribution
• Throughout the world there are over 114 million hectares
of crops genetically modified plants, more than half of
which are located in the United States (51%) as well as
87% of them are on the American continent. Some 99%
of the crop is concentrated in few countries: the United
States, Canada, South America (Argentina, Brazil and
Paraguay), India, China, and South Africa. In some
European countries like France, Spain, Portugal, Poland,
Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Romania
allowed to grow GM crops, while in others (Austria and
Greece) is prohibited. Still different is the situation in
Italy, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Finland,
Hungary and Slovenia, where the law prohibits the
cultivation of GM plants, but not their import.
The argument about GMOs
• In addition to environmental and health risks, assessed
through scientific research, the introduction of genetically
modified organisms (particularly in the food industry)
may have potential economic and social development of
the agricultural economy in areas where they are grown.
All these different elements of risk are the focus of
heated debates at national and international levels, often
creating strong polarization in the public debate and
raising also in the scientific community.
• Among the topics discussed, as well as the
feared risks described above, there is the
legitimacy of patenting genetic sequences and
genetically modified organisms, can now
practice in most developed countries and
engaged in genetic research, though with
several limitations, and the ethical implications
related to the use of engineered animals for
experimental purposes (for example the
oncotopo), or the use of human embryonic
cells for research purposes.
• Dalila Santoro 4B
• Marialaura Abbadessa 4B
• Francesco Zippo 5B