What Are Genetically Modified Organisms?

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What are Genetically Modified Organisms?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms that have been artificially manipulated at the genetic level through a process known as genetic engineering or biotechnology. By using this technique, the genetic makeup of the organism has been changed by mutating, inserting or deleting genes to create a new combination of plant, animal, bacteria and virus genes (Goldbas,2014). Through the manipulation of GMOs, scientists can create an organism with superior properties for a trait of interest.

 Although there are several techniques used to modify a genome, gene targeting is a technique used to introduce new DNA into selected regions of a genome using homologous recombination. This allows for precise control over the genetic changes introduced in the organism and serves many benefits in variety of fields including medical and biological research. However, there are many safety concerns surrounding GMOs and genetic engineering in relation to society and health care (Philips,2008).

Genetically modified plants: Benefits emerging

GMOs serve many benefits to the worlds growing population. Agricultural plants are one the most commonly used GMOs contributing to our society. Four crops account for most GM plantings: herbicide-tolerant soybeans (62%), insect-resistant corn (12.4%), insect-resistant cotton (6.8%), and canola (3%). Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are resistance to pests and disease, increased crop yields, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality (Goldbas, 2014).

Agricultural benefits

Gene transfer into crop plants confers resistance to herbicides, insect pests, and plant diseases. The process of gene transfer in plants starts with a host bacteria containing a TI plasmid with the foreign gene intact. The gene of interest is inserted into the T DNA and then transferred into the plant cell. The bacteria infects plant cells, transferring the foreign gene at the same time and incorporating itself in the plants chromosome. The T DNA is replicated and transferred to the plants cell. The plant cell grows and divides but it may also go onto developing into a mature genetically engineered plant. Through this way, it is possible to produce a transgenic plant that carries a cloned gene of interest (Day, 1991).

Some examples of approved GM crops resulting from agricultural gene transfer include corn and soybean with developed insect resistance. Corn is resistant to insect pests, through expression of the insecticidal protein, Cry1Ab from a soil bacterium known as Bacillus thuringiensis(BT). The Cry protein toxins destroy the gut of invading pests such as larval caterpillars, corn earworm and other corn pests. This serves as a beneficial agricultural practice because it reduces the dependence on toxins that are pollutants and also decreases the use of pesticides (Gewin, 2003).  As a result of this, crop yields have increased in terms of more effective pest control and thus, lower crop damage. For example, cotton, also a GMO, with the BT bacteria has found to be very profitable in India resulting in a double growth production while using less pesticide. On average, GM technology has increased crop yields by 21% and reduced pesticide use by 37% (Klumper,2014). Furthermore, transgenic crops are used to enhance nutritional value. Golden rice, which appears yellow is infused with the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene, and could help combat blindness and vitamin A-related deficiencies in malnourished individuals (Gewin, 2003).

Impact on society and health

Social, legal and ethical concerns  

There are unknown consequences to altering the natural state of an organism through foreign gene expression. However, there is a potential that such alterations can change the organism's metabolism, growth rate, and response to external environmental factors. These consequences not only effect the GMO, but also the environment in which the organism grows. Potential health risks to humans include the possibility of exposure to new allergens in genetically modified foods, as well as toxicity affects (Goldbas, 2014).

GM plants and the environment

As mentioned earlier, Bt corn expresses a protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensi. However, seed containing genes for recombinant proteins can cause the spread of recombinant genes and exposure of non target organism to toxic compounds in the environment. Although these traits can be helpful in food production, by allowing farmers to use less chemicals and grow the crops in ideal conditions, herbicide use can increase. This will have a negative effect by forming invasive weeds and other plants which can become resistance to these herbicides through cross-pollination. A common example of GM herbicide-resistant crops is Roundup-resistant” GMOs, which are developed to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate, an ingredient in the weed killer Roundup. Overtime plants can develop resistance to herbicides and may need higher amounts of glyphosate and other herbicides (Hsaio,2015). Furthermore, the World Health Organization determined that the herbicide glyphosate (the key ingredient in Roundup) is probably carcinogenic to humans and possibly a strong contributor to chronic diseases and female hormonal imbalances (Goldbas, 2014).