Process of Genetic Modification

“Genetic engineering is just an extension of natural processes”

What is canola oil?

• What is a canola?Also known as rapeseed

Stands for CANadian Oil Low Acid

How are GMOs produced?

• Strawberries that express a gene from an arctic fish?

Why might this be desirable?

How are GMOs made?

The general idea is simple.. (3 components you need)

The gene you want to transferThe target species

A Vector

How can a gene be excised?

restriction endonucleases

Outcomes of Genetic Modification

“Genetic engineering will deliver more nutritious crops and increase yield potential”

Herbicide Resistance

• Selective vs. non-selective herbicides

• Spray less herbicides

• Roundup ready soybeans

Pest Resistant

• Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) crops

• Produce their own insecticide

• Reduce need for sprayed pesticides

Nutrition

• Golden Rice

• Potatoes

• Coffee

Atlantic Salmon• Genes from other fish species to produce

growth hormones and allow for growth year round, even in colder water

• Fish reach market size in 18 months, compared with 3 years

Safety of GMOs

“Genetically engineered products are completely safe for human use/consumption”

Plant microRNAs in Your Blood

• miRNA passed from the food through digestion into your blood and attach onto your organs to regulate functions.

examples: Exogenous plant MIR 168a• This miRNA inhibits a protein that remove LDL

cholesterol from the blood.

Bt corn• Bt corn pollen’s effects on non-target organisms

• Studies on monarch larvae who feed on milkweed leaves dusted with Bt corn pollen

Bt corn-StarLink corn

• StarLink corn contains Cry9C, incorporated from Bt sp.– Stock Feed– Taco Bell– Further detection

Bt-Toxin in Your Blood!• Sherbrooke University Hospital in Quebec Bt-

toxin in the blood of:– 93 % of pregnant women tested– 80 % of umbilical blood in their babies– 67 % of non-pregnant women

Food sources: animals fed Bt corn, processed food and drink of high fructose corn syrup…

Scientists speculate Bt toxin can cause autoimmune diseases, food allergies, gastrointestinal problems, child learning disorders… (more tests are needed!)

Effects of GMO/Roundup Food

Detect GMOs 1. Herbicide bioassays

2. ELISA (“dipstick”, “plate” tests)

3. PCR (polymerase chain reaction)

Future Applications

“Genetic engineering is only used to improve food products”

Pharming

• Farming + Pharmaceuticals– Bacteria– Plants– Animals

Products of Pharming

• Insulin (bacteria)

• Various Proteins (PMPs)– Antibodies, antigens, enzymes, hormones,

structural proteins,

• Atryn (goats)

Insects

• Mosquitoes– Dengue Fever

• Pink Bollworms– Cotton Crops

GloFish

• Pets

• Research