GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM

(GMO)
 For thousands of years, humans have been using traditional modification
methods like selective breeding and cross-breeding to breed plants and animals
with more desirable Most of the foods we eat today were created through
traditional breeding methods. But changing plants and animals through traditional
breeding can take a long time, and it is difficult to make very specific changes.
After scientists developed genetic engineering in the 1970s, they were able to
make similar changes in a more specific way and in a shorter amount of time.
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GMOs are organisms that have gene or genes added or
removed by scientists, giving or removing a characteristic or trait.
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism or microorganism whose genetic material has been
altered to contain a segment of DNA from another organism
Boyer and Stanley Cohen made the first genetically modified organism in 1973, a bacteria resistant to the
antibiotic kanamycin.
First genetically modified animal, a mouse, was created in 1974 by Rudolf Jaenisch.
First genetically modified crop, an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant, was produced in 1982.
First genetically modified food approved for release was the Flavr Savr tomato in 1994, Developed by
Calgene.
 Two most common types of GMO
Food GMOs

• Crops are modified so when farmers kill weeds with

herbicides the crops can withstand the exposure to the
herbicide - killing the weeds and not the crop.
• Although it is not common, some types of Food GMOs
are modified to increase their nutrient content. Corn and
soybeans are two examples of crops that have
higher-nutrient GMO versions available.
 Medicine GMOs
• Genetically Modified Medicines can be produced cheaper and
easier.
• Some GMOs are: insulin, thyroid hormones and hepatitis B
vaccine (insulin being the oldest)

Other types of GMO

Plants and crops
Microbes
Mammals
Insects
Aquatic Life
 Advantages of GMO

Higher crop yields could offset greenhouse gas emissions at scales similar to wind and solar energy.
Disease- and drought-resistant plants that require fewer environmental resources
Insect- and herbicide-resistant crops can reduce crop losses.
Manufacturers use genetic modification to give foods or crops desirable traits, which have more
nutrients, grow quicker and produce more yield, are more resistant to pesticides and use less fertilizer
Medicinal foods that could be used as vaccines or other medicines.
Increased supply of food with reduced cost and longer shelf life.
Can be transported to the inaccessible regions of the world because it lengthen the natural life of the
food and its resilience.
Disadvantages of GMO

Studies have shown that genetically modified corn and soy fed to rats led to a higher risk of
them developing liver and kidney problems. These health risks may not be transferable to
humans, but they illustrate the unpredictable nature of GMOs on living things.
GMOs are not always tested thoroughly. The shortest GMO testing times are a mere 90 days,
which many fear is simply not enough time to ascertain all of the risks.
Transgenic modification produces organism types which would never occur naturally, making
them highly unpredictable.
GMOs could affect those with allergies in unpredictable ways.
Though GMOs were developed with a view to reducing the amount of pesticides used,
this is not always the case. As weeds and bacteria become resistant to the pesticide,
farmers actually use more; safe in the knowledge the crop will not be affected.
Often GMO products are not clearly labelled, meaning people do not have the choice to
decide whether or not they wish to consume GMO products.
GMO testing often involves performing experiments upon animals, which some people
feel is a breach of animal rights
 Future of GMO

1.GMO benefits mankind when used for purposes such as increasing the availability and the
quality of food likes crops and medical care, contributing to become the environment cleaner.
2. Genetically modified crops and animals will be full environmentally friendly.
3. GMO are include plants with improves resistance against the plant disease, crops with
increases nutrient levels.
4. GMO crops are proven safe for through proper independent and environmental impact
assessment.
 Conclusion
GMO’s (Genetic Modified Organisms) are one of the most controversial areas of Science. Genetic
engineering is being use in many fields, like medical applications and it is often use in food and
agricultural products (crops).
It is one of the products of modern world brought by modern technology. It has its own advantages
and disadvantages. We have different views but our concern is all about the progress of nature and
humanity.
In order to adopt modern world and achieve progression, humans with their weapon GMO, affects
nature in many aspects. Some people disagree with it because of altering the tradition of environment
with the use of other chemicals. Some people agree because it can improve characteristics of medicines
and crops that result to higher profits. Despite of its advantages and disadvantages, GMO aims to go with
the circumstances which are result of modernization. Maybe GMO is against from pre-domesticated
stage but we are in modern age so we should be flexible and go with it.
GMO mostly use in medications and foods. As time goes by, the world needs food and cure. In that
sense, GMO could become the new organic. GMO could be our most powerful weapon to save our
biosphere.