Genetically Engineered Food and Organisms
Genetically Engineered Foods or Organisms
Genetically Engineered Foods or Organisms
Biological Basis
Genetically modified crops (GMCs) are plants having DNA altered through genetic engineering techniques. The goal is to introduce a new desirable trait to a plant that does ordinarily occur in the species. Desirable characteristics include resistance to environmental conditions, resistance to diseases and specific pests and production of a particular nutrient. Genetic engineering takes place in five distinct steps. First, there is DNA extraction that involves the removal of DNA from the desired organism to acquire the gene of interest. The second step is gene cloning involving separation of a single gene of interest from the rest of the extracted genes. Scientists design the gene for it to work in a different organism by separation and replacement of gene regions. Tissue culture propagates callus masses of undifferentiated plant cells, where introduction of the new transgene will take place. Methods such as gene gun, electroporation, Agrobacterium and microfibers transport the new gene to the cell of the plant cell. The transgenic plants are then grown in greenhouses until they are mature enough to produce seeds. Finally, breeders produce a high yielding transgenic line through backcross breeding using the seeds. It can take six to 15 years for completion of the process (Agbiosafety.unl.edu, 2013).
Specific promoters used depend on the area where scientists want expression of the gene shown. For example, endosperm specific promoters are used if the gene expression is meant to affect the rice grains only. The artificially inserted gene should be denatured by heat administered when cooking to prevent undesired effects.
Advantages of Genetically Modified Foods
Many uses of genetic engineering benefit consumers, farmers and the agricultural industry. Genetic engineering introduces useful traits that are hardly
Genetically Engineered Foods or Organisms
Biological Basis
Genetically modified crops (GMCs) are plants having DNA altered through genetic engineering techniques. The goal is to introduce a new desirable trait to a plant that does ordinarily occur in the species. Desirable characteristics include resistance to environmental conditions, resistance to diseases and specific pests and production of a particular nutrient. Genetic engineering takes place in five distinct steps. First, there is DNA extraction that involves the removal of DNA from the desired organism to acquire the gene of interest. The second step is gene cloning involving separation of a single gene of interest from the rest of the extracted genes. Scientists design the gene for it to work in a different organism by separation and replacement of gene regions. Tissue culture propagates callus masses of undifferentiated plant cells, where introduction of the new transgene will take place. Methods such as gene gun, electroporation, Agrobacterium and microfibers transport the new gene to the cell of the plant cell. The transgenic plants are then grown in greenhouses until they are mature enough to produce seeds. Finally, breeders produce a high yielding transgenic line through backcross breeding using the seeds. It can take six to 15 years for completion of the process (Agbiosafety.unl.edu, 2013).
Specific promoters used depend on the area where scientists want expression of the gene shown. For example, endosperm specific promoters are used if the gene expression is meant to affect the rice grains only. The artificially inserted gene should be denatured by heat administered when cooking to prevent undesired effects.
Advantages of Genetically Modified Foods
Many uses of genetic engineering benefit consumers, farmers and the agricultural industry. Genetic engineering introduces useful traits that are hardly
References: Actionbioscience.org (2004). Actionbioscience | Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/glenn.html Agbiosafety.unl.edu (2013). AgBiosafety at UNL - Biotech Basic The Preocess of Plant Genetic Engineering. [online] Retrieved from: http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/education/summary.htm Burroughs, T., Knobler, S. & Lederberg, J. (2002). The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases. National Academies Press (US) Chen, Z. (2010). Molecular mechanisms of polyploidy and hybrid vigor. Trends in plant science 15 (2), 57--71. Gmo-compass.org (2013). Genetically Modified Crops: Soybean, Maize, Rapeseed, Cotton. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.gmocompass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/