GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS:

SCIENCE, HEALTH AND POLITICS

 LESSON OBJECTIVES:

*Identify issues on genetically

modified organisms (GM0);

*Discuss different implication

and impact of GMOs
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO): the
future?

https://youtu.be/BalxcRtP-m4

3 minutes
 A genetically modified
organism (GMO) is an animal,
plant, or microbe whose DNA has
been altered using genetic
engineering techniques.
How to identify GMO Products
 GMOs, Farm to Table
https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-
crops-animal-food-and-beyond

3minutes
 Who made the first GMO?
1973: Biochemists Herbert Boyer and
Stanley Cohen develop genetic
engineering by inserting DNA from one
bacteria into another.
 How are organisms
genetically modified?
Genetic engineering is the
modification of an organism's
phenotype by manipulating its
genetic material. Some genetic
engineering uses the principle
of recombination.
 Recombination is the
process through which a
new gene is inserted into
a bacterial DNA "The
plasmid".
Agrobacterium is bacteria that uses a
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT).

HGT is the transfer of DNA between different genomes

A genome is the complete set of genetic material present in an organism
 GENETIC MODIFICATION
aims to address issues with regard to

• Food security;
• Agriculture;
• Drug production;
• Nutrition.
ROLES of GMOs in Food and
Agricultural Industries
Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH, 2013)

• Pest resistance
• Virus resistance
• Herbicide tolerance
• Fortification
• Cosmetic preservation
• Increase growth rate
 BENEFITS OF GMOs
• Higher Efficiency in Farming
• Increase in Harvest
• Control in Fertility
• Increase in Food Processing
• Improvement of desirable Characteristics
• Nutritional and Pharmaceutical
Enhancement
• Reduce the Use of Frtilizers and Pesticides
 Who is the major producer of GMOs?

The largest producer of genetically

modified seeds is Monsanto (USA)
which currently dominates between
70% and 100% of the global market for
genetically modified seeds.

Monsanto: The Company that Owns the World’s Food Supply

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAZmHIiN8VI
Has Monsanto done anything good?

Monsanto is a large company that does a

lot of science work for the agriculture
industry. Science based research and
development over the past 100 years have
resulted in a huge increase in US crop
production via improved agronomic practices,
the adoption of ever improving mechanical,
chemical and biological tools.
Monsanto Products
Monsanto Products
Potential risks of GMOs
• Inadequate Studies on the Effects of GMOs to
Humans
• Promotes mutation in organisms which the long
term effect is still unknown
• Human consumption might have the following
effects:
• Allergic reactions
• Gene mutation
• Antibiotic resistance
• Nutritional Value
Potential Environmental risks of GMOs

• Risk in gene flow

• Emergence of new forms of
resistance and secondary pests
and weed problems
• Recombination of virus and
bacteria to produce new pathogens
The real problem with GMO Food

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
h4_t4Xgd4CA

11 minutes
GMOs in Philippine Context
Genetically modified organisms (GMO)
products were introduced to Philippine
agriculture by Filipino researchers as a way
to combat nutrient deficiency and
malnutrition.
According to the World Food Program (WFP),
about one out of nine people in the world do not
have enough food to live a healthy life.
How many GMOs are there in the Philippines?
Since December 2002, there have been 70 GMO
applications approved by the Bureau of Plant
Industry-Department of Agriculture (BPI-DA) for
release to the environment.

Among which 62 GMOs were approved for food

feed and processing (FFP) and 8 GMOs were
approved for propagation.
Genetically modified crops produced in Philippines

Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a
plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound
is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color, hence its name. Golden
Rice is developed through genetic engineering.
Which country uses Golden Rice?
Golden Rice has been accepted as safe for consumption by the Governments of
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA, and registrations have been applied for in
Philippines and Bangladesh.
GMO debate grows over golden rice
in the Philippines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayv_EYi43E8&t=491s
Genetically modified crops produced in Philippines
•Biotech corn - Genetically engineered corn is being produced . It
contains a built in insecticidal protein from a naturally occurring
microorganism (Bt) and it provides protection from corn borers.
•GM Potato - These potato plants are modified to provide protection
from potato beetle disease. Apart from this , they also offer resistance
against leaf roll virus and potato virus Y.
•Bt cotton - The cotton plants are resistant to bud worms and ball
worms
•Bt tomato - This was one of the first GM crop to be produced in a
developed country. These offer delayed ripening , extended shelf life
and better flavor.
•Biotech papaya - This papaya plant offers more protection from the
ring spot virus that affects the papaya plant.
Genetically modified crops produced in Philippines
Bodies (authorities) involved in regulation and
risk assessment of GMOs in the Philippines
•Department of Agriculture Order No.8 s. 2002, “Rules and Regulations
on the Importation and Release of Plant and Plant Products Derived
From the Use of Modern Biotechnology
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) - as the entry point for the permit application
and the agency who issues the permit based on an over-all risk assessment

Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) - for food safety, if the
regulated article is a raw agriculture product intended for direct use as food
or processing

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) - for feed safety, if the regulated article is
intended for direct use as feed or processing into feed

Scientific and Technical Review Panel – consists ofscientists outside the DA who will do a
risk assessment
The film is about a young girl who raised a genetically modified "super
pig" (the titular Okja) and, after she is taken to the United States, goes on
a mission to rescue her from mistreatment at the hands of the meat
industry.
 The Truths About GMO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
DK5kRGs0HX0
Is It Safe To Eat Genetically Modified
Animals?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
xTqmTx26DhE

13 minutes
Monsanto: The true cost of our food
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
-c2bcSUMtNQ

13 minutes
SUMMARY

There are advantages and disadvantages in using genetic

engineering in both fields of medicine and food and
agriculture, there are controversies that are still debatable up
to the present.

The major concern of the opponents is the long term effect of

GMOs to humans while the proponents flagship is the success
stories of the GMO recipients.

There is still along way to go for the GMOs to prove itself, as

human seek answers to lifes predicaments.