Genetic Engineering What is genetic engineering Genetic engineering

Genetic Engineering

What is genetic engineering? Genetic engineering is the direct modification of an organism’s genome, which is the list of specific traits (genes) stored in the DNA. Organisms created by genetic engineering are called genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

What is the difference between the mice in these two groups?

What is a Genetically Modified Organism? • It involves the insertion of DNA from one organism into another OR modification of an organism’s DNA in order to achieve a desired trait. Suntory "blue" rose

Genetically modified organisms

History of GMO Development 1973: created first genetically modified bacteria 1974: created GM mice 1982: first commercial development of GMOs (insulin-producing bacteria) 1994: began to sell genetically modified food 2003: began to sell GMOs as pets (Glofish)

What is the GMO process? • All genetic changes affect the protein synthesis of the organism. • By changing which proteins are produced, genetic engineers can affect the overall traits of the organism. • Genetic modification can be completed by a number of different methods: • Inserting new genetic material randomly or in targeted locations • Direct replacement of genes (recombination) • Removal of genes • Mutation of existing genes

GMO Bacteria are the most common GMOs because their simple structure permits easy manipulation of their DNA.

How long have humans been genetically modifying organisms? • What about in the lab? How long have scientists been modifying organisms? • How is modern technology used to genetically modify organisms? Teosinte

Agricultural breeding Traditional breeding changes organisms through selection, while genetic engineering is more like the process of mutation.

Genetic engineering vs agricultural breeding • Artificial selection has influenced the genetic makeup of livestock and crops for thousands of years. • Proponents of GM crops say GM foods are safe

How does this differ from Mendel and his peas? GM vs Selective Breeding Selective breeding • Slow • Imprecise • Modification of genes that naturally occur in the organism Genetic Modification • Very fast • Precise • Can introduce genes into an organisms that would not naturally occur!

How are plants targeted? • A particle gun is used to shoot small bits of metal coated with the gene into the plant. 7

Engineering Plants How might genetic engineering modify plants to solve everyday problems? (Consider world hunger, weather problems, insecticide pollution…)

Reasons to Genetically Modify Crops • • Insect resistant Herbicide resistant Drought/freeze resistant Disease resistant High yield Fast growth Improved nutrition Longer shelf life

Genetically Modified Crops GMO crop production in the US (2010): • 93% of soybeans • 93% of cotton • 86% of corn • 95% of sugar beets Example: • One common modified crop is Bt-corn. • A gene from the Bt bacteria is added so the corn produces a protein that is poisonous to certain insects but not humans.

Some genetically modified foods Bt crops

Some genetically modified foods Soybean Roundup ready crops

Banana Vaccines Modified virus injected in sapling tree causes the bananas to contain virus proteins Venomous Cabbage Scorpion genes added to the cabbage prevent insects from eating it

GMO in Pesticides + • Kills caterpillars but not poisonous to humans http: //www. nature. com/cr/journal/v 12/n 2/full/7290120 a. html

Some genetically modified foods Ice minus strawberries

Some genetically modified foods Starlink corn

Common GM Foods Products • Corn • Canola • Potatoes • Tomatoes • Squash • Soybeans • Flax • Cottonseed oil • Sugarbeets

Common GM Foods

Genetically Modified Foods Pros • • • Increased pest and disease resistance Grow food in harsh climate Increased food supply (more food/acre) More nutritional value Make drugs Ring spot virus

Genetically Modified Foods Cons • • Introducing allergens and toxins to food Accidental cross pollination Antibiotic resistance Creation of "super" weeds and other environmental risks

GMO Controversy in Hawaii http: //hawaiiseed. org/local-issues/taro/

GMO Controversy in Hawaii • • • Undermines the genetic integrity of taro, sacred to the Hawaiian people and tradition of growing taro passed down through generations. Threatens the taro market and livelihood of taro farmers. Taro production yields over 6 million pounds annually valued at $3. 3 million. Threatens the biodiversity of the taro plant; http: //hawaiiseed. org/local-issues/taro/

Transgenic Animals as Models of Human Diseases • Transgenic mice are a common model system • Transfer of disease-causing human genes into mice creates mice that are used to study the development of human diseases and the effects of drugs and otherapies

Knock Out Mice

Some Human Diseases Studied in Animal Models Table 14 -4, p. 323

How are animals targeted? • The microinjection method uses a fine needle to inject a solution of DNA into a developing embryo. 6

Engineering Animals Could genetic engineering be used to modify animals to solve problems?

Some genetically modified animals Aqu. Advantage salmon

Featherless Chickens- less time to process

Selective breeding- not GMO!

Less Smelly Cows Modifying bacteria responsible for methane production in cattle results in 25% lessflatulent cows

Web-based kid • Gene (plus regulator genes) inserted into goat mammary gland cells • Genetically transformed cells could be made to secrete spider silk protein • Transformed goat cells fused to enucleated oocyte • Genetically transformed goat embryos produced © 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS Spider goat © Sean O'Neill

GMO in Manufacturing + • Produces silk in milk to make Biosteel

Applications • • Super strong surgery thread Artificial ligaments Light bullet proof body armor Biodegradable fishing line © 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS

Bioluminescent Animals Uses: • Protein tracking • Disease detection using bioluminescent imaging (BLI) to identify different types of cells • Novelty pets (Glofish are available now)

Transparent Frogs- can study disease progression

GMO in Biofuel Algenol Biofuels Rapeseed (i. e. , canola)

GMO Concerns What are some concerns regarding genetically modified foods and animals? • • Risk to human health; unsafe to eat Harm to the environment and wildlife Increased pesticide and herbicide use Farmers’ health Seed and pollen drift Creation of herbicide-resistant super weeds What about genetic engineering in humans? Nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the countries in the European Union, have enacted significant restrictions or full bans on the production and sale of genetically modified organism food products, and 64 countries now have GMO labeling requirements.