Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Awareness

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SEMINARY ACADEMY
PAGPAPUSOG: DEVELOPING GMO AWARENESS

FOR HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE IN ICSA STUDENTS,
VIRAC, CATANDUANES
A Research Proposal Submitted to the

Immaculate Conception Seminary Academy
of the Diocese of Virac Incorporated
San Jose, Virac, Catanduanes
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

on Applied Research: An Introduction to Qualitative Research
Methods and Report Writing
DEL PRADO, RHEY TRAVIS YGOR III

MENDOZA, LADY ANNE C.
SAMONTE, PHILIP SEVERINO F.
TANTEO, KATE DOMINICK M.
TORRALBA, JERICHA ROSE D.
June 2021
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
In today’s society, knowledge of nutritional value and ingredients in our foods
is extremely important to be conscious of because consumers need to know
exactly what kind of products they are putting into their bodies. This is crucial for
them because in the U.S, as much as 80% of conventional processed food contain
GMOs, which contain toxic herbicides, such as Roundup (“Non-GMO Project,”
2016). Not to mention, Cui and Shoemaker (2018), from the California Institute
of Food and Agricultural Research, University of California, they said that
genetically modified (GM) technology is a highly controversial topic for today’s
global food consumer. The commercial development of GM crops began in 1996
with GM corn and has expanded every year with the cultivation of GM crops.
Genetically modified organisms are mostly used for plants, which are processed
to be food products to both humans and animals. Furthermore, most of our food
today comes from plants and animals that have been bred, grown, and nourished
by farmers for countless of generations, that went through extensive genetic
changes over each generation. In connection with this, Pandey et al. (2010), from
the central institute for subtropical horticulture, said that genetically modified
food (GM food) refers to food products

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SEMINARY ACADEMY PAGE 2
that are developed through biotechnology which can involve numerous
applications and processes. The term “genetically modified” can only be applied
to products that have been genetically engineered. Moreover, Rangel (2015), a
malaria biology scientist with a doctor of philosophy degree from Harvard
University, said that the concept of genetically modified organisms has existed for
over 30,000 years, although, back then, our ancestors had no scientific knowledge
and facilities that makes them capable of manipulating DNA. They were still able
to manipulate the DNA of other organisms through selective breeding, where the
use of scientific facilities is not needed. Consequently, the domestication of
selective breeding started 10,000 years after that, farmers during the 1700s started
cross breeding plants to obtain desirable results. In the 1980s, researchers have
developed more controllable and precise methods of genetic engineering to be
used for agriculture by having plants produce desirable traits (Shetty et al., 2018).
However, as the world population and the global demand for food increases by
the day, it also reduces arable lands in the environment only for agriculture. In
order to counter the effects of less arable lands, agricultural systems have to
respond to numerous changes along with the increasing demands of consumers,
globalization and global competition for a better food quality and safety while
enhancing health and convenience (Shetty, Chandan, Krishnan, & Aparna, 2018).
So, in order to assess and give solution to the problems that the world is
experiencing, scientists found ways in assessing the issue and discovered in 1946
that DNA is transferable between organisms. There are now several known
mechanisms in transferring DNA, and it also occurs in nature on a much larger
scale. For example, an organism has a mechanism of being able to adapt and
develop resistance, like pathogenic bacteria having antibiotics resistance (Clive,
2011).
Despite this, Flynn (2011), a health educator and writer specializing in
nutrition, said that in order for students to experience proper growth and
development and achieve academic success, they need to eat healthy food to
attain a healthy and active life. But to have that, means to become aware of our
food intake and lifestyle management. Although GM foods had helped sustain the
nutritional needs of human beings and farm animals, mounting evidence showed
that GM foods were substantially equivalent to traditionally bred food sources, it
has also sparked fierce debates about its safety. Reported by Medical News
Today, there are many downsides of GMO, but the evidence varies, its main
health issues was that it can trigger allergic reactions, cancer, antibacterial
resistance, etc. Since organisms that had its DNA altered through the use of
genetic engineering techniques, where genetic modification of organisms is
applied by adding a gene that can make a desirable outcome such as an increase to
its amount of yields, make them more resistant to disease and insecticides and at
the same time, increase the possibilities of an unprecedented effect or problem
(Raman, 2020).
There are many products, fruits and crops today that contain genetically
modified organisms, like papaya, through genetic engineering, has been
genetically modified in a way so that it can develop ringspot virus resistance,
thus, enhancing the fruit’s productivity. This idea was developed because genetic
modification of the papaya was very needed in the late 1990s by Hawaii’s papaya
industry as they were facing tragedy due to the deadly papaya ringspot virus
(PRSV), a pathogenic plant virus, which mostly infects papaya trees. And because
of the modification, the industry could have collapsed (Keefe, 2021).
When we think of food, we sometimes think that as long as it can make us
satisfied and let us do our work without the disturbance of an aching stomach is
good and healthy but it is not. We need to acquire a healthy lifestyle through a
balanced diet to keep us moving forward and avoid getting ill. By doing so, we
become more knowledgeable of what we eat. This is important because
genetically modified organisms have increased in number and diversity in the past
years. Apparently, the only way that we can truly detect GMO by this time is
through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), A very expensive device
which can only be used in detecting specific sequences, which is why it is limited
making it for normal consumers to identify if a food product has been genetically
modified or not if it is not labelled (Debode et al., 2019).

In order for us to avoid getting diseases, such as obesity, we need to avoid
eating genetically engineered corn and products that are based from corn like corn
starch, and animals that are fed of genetically engineered grain. In Norway,
scientists have released results of studies about experimental feeding that was
carried throughout a ten-year period and the results of the experiment has shown a
positive connection between obesity and genetically modified corn (Samsel,
2012).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Genetically modified organisms is a great advancement for humans in
biotechnology and agriculture, it can protect the environment, increase the
nutrition of food products and lower the costs in production, however it still
comes with health risks such as allergies. Majority of the students in Immaculate
Conception Seminary Academy (ICSA) are not concerned of the negative effects
of GMO to the human body, especially with processed foods, like snack items.
The students do not check the labels and are not even concerned of the ingredients
of what they eat. For instance, students love sodas, but these drinks contain high
fructose corn syrup. What makes this alarming is that most of our corn nowadays
are genetically modified (Landrigan et al., 2015). The same also applies to
alcoholic beverages, as some students in ICSA are very good drinkers. The
students do not practice GMO label checking to see if their food contains GMO
nor look at the nutrition facts and the ingredients of food products. Though in
some cases, others sometimes overdo it and get ill. Some get stomach pain,
urinary tract infections (UTI), fever, and allergies. These are causes of concern
that should be addressed.
This study aims to assess the ICSA students’ attitudes towards genetically
modified organisms and develop their knowledge as well as promote awareness
about GMOs in order help them figure out the consequences of these if they
remain ignorant.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study aims to assess ICSA students’ knowledge about GMO, help them
identify it and make them more cautious towards their health and lifestyle. The
three objectives are as follows:
1. To raise the awareness of ICSA students about genetically modified
organisms.
2. To identify the negative effects of GMO to ICSA students
3. To present ways to overcome the challenges of GMO to ICSA students.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study aims to develop awareness on GMOs to the students of ICSA. Since
progress is required from individuals, it is needed to gain more understanding

about the effects of GMOs so that they can properly establish methods to help
them create a sustainable and healthier lifestyle.
The study will be beneficial to the following:
Researchers/Students - The results of this study will allow the students to
know the effect and beneficiaries of GMO’s in their health. This study will also
serve as their reference that can give them a brief background about GMO’s.
Teachers – The findings in this study will benefit the teachers, especially the
science teachers. Through this research, they can help the students to understand
how GMOs work and even provide ways to identify which food contains GMOs.
Parents - This research will benefit the parents in a way that they will able to
choose the food that can help their child to attain a healthier lifestyle.
Future researcher - This study will be useful for the researchers who would
plan to make any related study about GMOs. The ideas presented may be used as
a reference data in conducting new research.

Deference of Interested in
Scientific Community Healthy Eating
Scientific GM FOOD CONSUMPTION

GM Food Perception AWARENESS
Consensus
1.5 Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework was derived from Kim and Fang (2020).
“Decisions to choose genetically modified foods: how do people’s perceptions of

science and scientists affect their choices?”. Perceived scientific consensus on the
safety of genetically modified organisms in foods will associate with the
perception of individuals on GM food consumption (H1) and will support their
awareness on GM food consumption (H2). To influence the public perception of
GM foods, the perceptions of scientists in the scientific community should be able
to give facts that will ease the concerns of the public on the safety of GMOs and
help the public gain information in order to understand its effects (H3). With
higher levels of deference or support of the scientific community to the
consensus, the people with lower levels of consensus or agreement on the safety
of GMO will be able to understand and become aware of GMOs (H4). The
awareness of the people on GM food will be positively associated by their
perceptions on GM food. People’s healthy eating preferences will moderate the
relationship between their perception and consumption of genetically modified
food (H5).
1.6 Scope and Limitation
This study focuses on the issue regarding genetically modified organism
awareness that aims to propose ways on overcoming its challenges to our health.
The study will only be conducted inside the premises of Immaculate Conception
Seminary Academy. The target respondents of this study will only be the students
of ICSA, School-Year 2021-2022.

1.7 Definition of Terms
Agrobacteria Tumefaciens - Natural plant parasites that contains the ability to
transfer genes by inserting it to a plant host (Shetty et al., 2018)
Biolistics – Is when direct high energy particles or radiations shoot targeted genes
into plant cells in order to penetrate the cell and put DNA into it (Shetty et al.,
2018)
Genetic Engineering – is the modification of the genetic material such as DNA
through processes in order to produce new substances and desirable traits in
existing organisms (Raman, 2020).
Genetically modified food – are food products that contains genetically modified
organisms where it is developed through biotechnology (Pandey et al., 2010)
Genetically modified organisms – are organisms that has its DNA any altered
through the use of genetic engineering technology to get desirable results (Raman,
2020).
Immaculate Conception Seminary Academy (ICSA) – a catholic high school in
the island of Catanduanes. This is where the researchers will obtain their
respondents.
Pagpapusog – a Bicol term which means “to further improve”.
Papaya Ringspot Virus – a pathogenic plant virus, which mostly infects papaya
trees (Keefe, 2021).
Polymerase chain reaction – a technique for multiplying specific strands of DNA
and/or RNA multiple times through the manipulation of its cell’s mechanism
(Instant Labs, 2018).
Abbreviations Used:
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid
GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms
ICSA – Immaculate Conception Seminary Academies
PRSV – Papaya Ringspot Virus
WHO – World Health Organization

CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter reviews the literatures and studies that are related to the topic of
this study. These literatures and studies were mostly taken from journal articles,
website articles, eBooks (electronic books), and other publications as well as
abstracts from universities from the internet.
2.1 Understanding Genetically Modified Organisms
As the world increases its population by the day, the global demand for
nutritious food is increasing along with it, while also decreasing the numbers of
fertile or arable land (Shetty, Chandan, Krishna, & Aparna, 2018). In modern
times, the term “GMO” or genetically modified crops have become a recent trend
to both the general public and health-conscious groups (The Truth
Fitness/Nutrition Community, 2014, para. 1). According to Shetty et al., a PhD
scholar from the Department of Post-Harvest Technology and College of
Horticulture, it is due to the increasing international competition, globalization
and consumer demands, many food and agricultural systems have responded to its
changes for improved food quality, safety, health enhancement and convenience
through modern biotechnology, and they have developed several ways in order to
improve the quality and quantity of the food supply in involving the use of RDNA
(Recombinant
DNA) technology or genetic engineering, which has now emerged as a powerful
tool in counteracting the challenges faced (2018, para. 1). Through genetic
engineering, genetically modified organisms came to existence, in which
according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the alteration of DNA in a
way that it does not happen or occur naturally by mating or natural recombination
(World Health Organization, 2014), which nowadays, is usually used for plants or
crops in agriculture.
Genetically modified organisms are made through different procedures and
processes; researchers developed more controllable and precise methods of
genetic engineering to produce more plants with desirable traits, like gene guns or
biological ballistics (aka Biolistics), which are the most common methods in
creating GMOs, where direct high energy particles or radiations shoot targeted
genes into plant cells in order to penetrate the cell and put DNA into it. Another
genetic engineering method is the agrobacteria tumefaciens mediated transfer.
Where the natural plant parasite called agrobacteria tumefaciens contains the
ability to transfer genes by inserting it to a plant host. These processes are called
Recombinant DNA, these are methods in applying genetic engineering techniques
such as the addition, deletion or manipulation of a trait in an organism to produce
or create a desired change or desirable traits. These crops or organisms wherein
genetic modification or manipulation has been applied to them are called
genetically modified crops (GM crops, GMCs or biotech crops). Plants that are
made using the genes from a closely related or same species through plant
breeding are called “Cisgenic”, on the other hand, transgenic plants are the ones
that have artificially inserted genes are taken from another species that could not
interbreed (Shetty et al., 2018, p. 2406). Soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, rice oil
beet, tomato, cabbage, sugar beet, wheat, carnation, pumpkin, tobacco, chicory,
flax, melon, and papaya are among the 16 GMO crops recognized so far.
Soybeans account for 60% of all agricultural GMO crops grown on nearly all
surfaces, followed by corn (23%), cotton (11%), and oil beets (6%). Many
scientists' studies with laboratory animals (mice, rats, rabbits, and sheep) have
shown that GM food and feed, as compared to normal, non-GM foods, pose a
danger because they cause negative effects on animal health and the environment.
Studies were carried out between the years 1993 and 2011 (Gacovski, 2014).
Gurian-Sherman (2014), a senior scientist with the food and environment
program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, stated that “Agricultural
technologies must improve sustainability by addressing huge challenges to food
distribution while reducing environmental harm” (p.141), just as Krimsky and
Gruber (2014) stated that in the view of modern agricultural Baconians, “Farms
are like factories, food production must be as efficient as an assembly line.” (p.
24). This means that it ensures that food producers must reduce supply volatility
and accelerate food output in order to grow more crops per acre, per unit of time,
per unit of labor, and per unit of resource demand. They emphasized the need for
increased food production in order to feed the world's increasing population of
more than seven billion people. However, genetically modified organisms is a
very controversial area in science, over the years, people tend to ask if it is safe or
is it healthy to eat, even though the people widely accepts medical applications
and medicines such as GM insulin, the debate still intensifies when it comes to
food and agriculture, even though it is just the same thing (Kurzgesagt, 2017).
A. The Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms
There are many effects of GM crops or organisms since they are designed to be
healthy, fast-growing and resistant to pests due to the fact that scientists have the
ability to select the most ideal traits to be included in creating GM organisms or
crops. For instance, genetically modified organisms, or more specifically, genetic
engineering which has been able to create plants that can produce its own, like Bt-
corn, which contains a soil bacteria called bacillus thuringiensis which gives the
corn the ability to produce proteins that are poisonous and also acts as an
insecticide to pests and insects, which further lowers the usage of pesticides and
helps the environment (Kennedy, 2020). In addition to that, Dennis et al. (2008), a
professor at Sydney University, stated that genetically modified organisms had
already been a great help, especially towards medicine, food manufacturing, and
agriculture, since GMOs can also increase plant yields (as cited in Gatew &
Mengistu, 2019). There are also several claims that are in favor of the potential
application of genetic modification which promises that in using genetic

modification can feed the planet, yield healthier food, and be generally beneficial
to the environment economics. Many different species are used in genetic
modification research and production today, especially in plants, trees, birds,
insects, bacteria, and viruses. The modified plants and vegetables are used in
agriculture, which are genetically modified to be resistant to herbicides and
specific pests (Hefferon, 2015). Some farm animals are also getting modified such
as pigs and fish specifically salmon being engineered to grow quicker, larger and
at the same time, reduce its fat (Epstein, 2002). Since the aim of genetic
engineering is to increase the quality of human life, it is also very important to
address the possible negative effects of genetic engineering, especially with meat,
bacteria, viruses, vaccines, and antibiotics, since these also introduce new genetic
materials into the human body. The majority of GMOs a marker gene, as well as
the gene encoding the target phenotype, has been injected into sourced foods
which means that problems could arise to the person who consumed food that has
these genes in it such as antibiotic resistance (Keese, 2008).
B. Overcoming Genetically Modified Organisms
According to a study conducted by Mataia (2003), from the Philippine Rice
Research Institute, it showed that the attitudes, perception, and awareness about
food biotechnology and GMOs are primarily influenced by the people’s self-
protection, excitement about potential health and economic benefits, fear of
health, safety, and environmental risks associated with the technology, distrust of
the technology; willingness to learn more about the technology or ignorance, and
especially their trust in the government. With these influences, the reception of
various groups of people about GMOs differ in many stages and most of the ones
that has correct knowledge about GMOs are the ones that have professions like
agriculture and biology. While the group with the least awareness and knowledge
about GMOs are students in private and non-agriculture universities.
Hence, in order for us to improve our knowledge of GMOs and become aware,
we should learn of it ourselves, gather information through asking reliable people,
and act towards problems relating to GMOs. Because if decisions are made with
incomplete information, it may lead you to bigger problems such as illnesses like
allergenicity and genetic contamination. Moreover, long term effects could arise
like an evolution of a species that is unprecedented can lead to newer diseases
(Prakash, Verma, Bhatia & Tiwary, 2011). Awareness and access to reliable
information for knowledge and understanding is a critical component that could
aid in realizing the opportunities and avoiding the dangers of modern
biotechnology and GMOs to our health. We should have the capacity to
understand the effects of GMO (Stewart et al., 2000). However, in the case of
biosafety problems, being able to gain access and transparency to applicable
records may not be sufficient. Access to knowledge, would require access to the
resources and skills needed to interpret that information. The balance of
experience weighs heavily on the side of GMO advocates, whom are often the
businesses or organizations that develops GMOs (Hayes et al., 2004). To counter
the small predicament, where people with expertise of GMO are the only ones
who knows GMOs truly, the government created laws and they implemented the
use of labels for increasing public awareness and access to information like
product labels, food quality regulations, and general consumer security
legislation, all of which are intended to promote awareness and express public
interests to commercial advocates of GMOs in a manner that will catch their
attention. These approaches may be useful if they are factual, precise, and
explicitly articulated in readable language, impartial, and based on full disclosure
of relevant information by supporters of GMOs (Prakash et al., 2011).
2.2 The History of GMO
Agriculture began about ten thousand years ago. Throughout much of the
period, farmers exchanged seeds, picked desired phenotypes of plants, and tried to
understand the environmental factors impacting crop production through careful
observation and experience. Farmers selected plants that were ideally suited to
their area by selective breeding. They were able to achieve shorter growing
seasons, greater fruits or vegetables, increase disease tolerance, and produce crops
with better nutritional benefit by saving seeds of the more desired varieties.
Botany as a practice can be traced back to ancient Greece (Krimsky, 2014). Just
as Raman (2017), a master of biotechnology student from the University of
Melbourne, stated that the genetic modification of plants first dated back 10,000
years ago in Southwest Asia, Plants were bred by humans through “selective
breeding”, a process of modifying the characteristics of living things, especially to
improve one or more desirable traits through selection in breeding under human
control (Merriam-Webster’s, n.d.). Since then, it provided significant
advancements to agriculture science and technology, which brought to us
genetically modified crops, in which helped in mitigating current and future
problems. Shetty et al. (2018), the first genetically modified crop through genetic
engineering was first produced in 1982, that made the tobacco plant resistant to
antibiotics. In the first field trials that occurred in France and the USA in 1986,
the tobacco plants were then engineered for herbicide resistance. Marc Van
Montagu and Jeff Schell, founded Plant Genetic Systems in 1987 (Ghent,
Belgium), where it was the first company to genetically engineer or modify plants
to become insect resistant by incorporating the genes that produced insecticidal
proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and made plants produce their own
insecticide. Then, the European Union (EU), approved of tobacco in 1994, it was
engineered to be resistant to the herbicide bromoxynil, which made the plant to be
the first commercial GM crop marketed in Europe the same year that the
FlavrSavr tomato became the first genetically modified crop to be approved for
sale in the United States. The Bt cotton, bromoxynil resistant cotton (Calgene),
herbicide resistant Bt maize (CibaGeigy), glyphosate resistant soybeans
(Monsanto), virus resistant squash (Asgrow), and delayed ripening tomatoes
(DNAP, Zeneca/Peto, and Monsanto) were approved in 1995. Golden rice was
developed in 2000, where its vitamin A contents is enriched; ATryn, a
pharmaceutical, is the first biological product that was produced by a genetically
engineered (GE) animal to be licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA).
Corazon C. Aquino, the 11th President of the Philippines issued Executive
Order 430 in 1990, which established Philippine biotechnology regulations. This
resulted in the creation of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines
(NCBP, n.d.). In 1991, NCBP formulated the Philippine Biosafety Guidelines,
which regulates the control of the importation or introduction, movement, and
field release of potentially dangerous biological materials in the Philippines. The
guidelines further defined the physical and biological containment and protection
protocols that must be followed while treating biological products, then in 1998,
NCBP issued "Guidelines on the Planned Release of Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) and Potentially Harmful Exotic Species (PHES)."
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo released a policy statement on modern
biotechnology in 2001, reiterating the government's policy of encouraging the
healthy and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products as one of
many ways to achieve and maintain food sustainability, equal access to health
care, a fair and safe climate, and industrial growth. In 2002, the Department of
Agriculture established Administrative Order No. 8 (AO 8) to establish

instructions for the importation and release of plants and plant products resulting
from modern biotechnology into the world; In order to reinforce NCBP, President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo released Executive Order 514 (EO 514) creating the
National Biosafety Framework (NBF) in March of 2006, which means that the
NBF shall refer to the production, adoption, and enforcement of all biosafety
policies, interventions, and guidance, as well as decision-making about study,
development, handling and use, transboundary travel, release into the
environment, and management of controlled publications.. The NCBP
membership is extended and given clear policy-making powers under NBF to
meet the Cartagena Protocol's biosafety specifications (NCBP, n.d.).
2.3 GMO Assessment
According to Rangel (as cited in Kurzgesagt, 2017), Ph.D. candidate in the
Biological Sciences in Public Health Program at Harvard University, Humans
have been genetically engineering plants and animals for thousands of years,
perhaps a few of your crops produce exceptionally well, or perhaps your wolves
are exceptionally loyal. So humans have done the wise thing and bred the plants
and animals that have characteristics that are advantageous to you. Since traits are
simply the expression of genes, those genes became more pronounced with each
generation. Almost every plant and animal around us is dramatically different
from its pre-domesticated condition after thousands of years (Kurzgesagt, 2017).
However, Blancke (2015), a Belgian sceptic and philosopher of science, with a

doctorate in philosophy from Ghent University, stated that the People's attitudes
toward GMOs are influenced by their intuitions regarding their goals and
intentions. Which make us susceptible to the notion that purely natural processes
arise or occur with a reason intended by some entity. These assumptions are part
of religious values, but in secular settings, they lead us to view nature as a
beneficial force or individual that ensures our well-being and that humans need
not interfere with. Genetic alteration is considered “unnatural” in the light of
GMO resistance, and biotechnologists are accused of “playing God.”, which
encapsulates what is at stake by going against nature's will in an act of arrogance,
we are doomed to bring tremendous tragedy upon ourselves (para. 5).
A. Advantages
Following the idea of Voronina (n.d.), a board-certified psychiatrist, Any GMO
crops, have been genetically engineered to be more resistant to insect pests. The
University of California, San Diego, reported that a poisonous bacterium may be
applied to crops to make them insect repellent while being healthy for human use.
This will make the usage of pesticide compounds used on plants, and theoretically
lowering the toxicity of the pesticide that will be used. Additionally, Apel (2010)
said that GM crops has higher productivity, in which it will fundamentally help in
improving the efficiency, resiliency and profitability for farming (as cited in
Acker & Zahra, 2017, p. 1). GM crops also have herbicide tolerance because of
the introduction of novel genes, in which it will help in the control of weeds be
less time-consuming. Therefore, the reduction of pesticide becomes a very
significant advantage of GM crop cultivation, it is especially helpful in lowering
farmers' pesticide usage in their crops as well as their exposure to its chemicals
(Hossain, Pray, Lu, Huang, Fan, & Hu., 2004), not only that, but it also helps in
reducing the residues of pesticides in our food and feed crops. With that being
said, being able to reduce pesticide usage sincerely benefits the environment in
which we are able to release less chemicals to the field (Nickson, 2005).
According to Brimner, Gallivan, and Stephenson (2005), of the University of
Guelph, GM crops can have a beneficial impact on human health by minimizing
insecticide exposure. However, Domingo (2016), a professor of toxicology at the
University of Barcelona, argued that these statements are largely based on
assumptions rather than actual experimental evidence. There is a general lack of
public research on the possible effects on human health in consuming food or feed
extracted from GM crops. Some oppose the use of antibiotic resistance as a
marker in the transgenesis procedure, claiming that it can promote the production
of antibiotic resistance in pathogens that poses as a hazard to human health (Key,
Ma, & Drake, 2008). Many of those concerns about genetically modified crops
are about its allergenicity. Since genetic modification usually adds proteins or
genes that were previously not in a certain plant might cause allergic reactions
that are new to the human body. People fear that gene transfer from GM food
might occur, where the cells of GM food transfer to the cells of the human body.
(Lehrer & Bannon, 2005).

B. Disadvantages
According to Bawa and Anilakumar (2013), a urologist in Mohali and a
professor in the field of nutritional biochemistry and food chemistry, the repeated
application of a single pesticide over time, will result in the growth of resistance
in target species populations. The widespread use of a small number of pesticides
made possible by GM crops hastens the development of resistant insect species,
similarly, Owen (2009), a family physician in Honolulu, said that resistance
evolution is a result of selection pressure from pesticide use and hence is not
specifically a function of GM HT crops, but GM HT crops have accelerated the
growth of glyphosate resistant weeds, wherein glyphosate is the systematic
organophosphate herbicide used on croplands to fight herbaceous and woody
weeds (Merriam-Webster’s, n.d.), and they have encouraged a massive rise in
glyphosate use. There are, however, issues that come along with GM crops, due to
unexpected herbicide resistant crops, which means some crops and plants
especially weeds become herbicide resistant when are not supposed to be
herbicide resistant for the unintended transfer of genes from a modified plant to a
non-modified one creates more challenges, for safety concern and costs (Owen,
2008).
Despite the fact that the deregulation of GM crops requires detailed reviews of
potential public health effects by competent agencies, many people are concerned
about the potential threats to human health posed by GM crops. Some are
concerned about whether transgenesis causes unintended effects (Domingo,
2016), in addition to that, Ezeonu, Tagbo, Anike, Oje, and Onwurah (2012) said
that Gene transmission from GM food to body cells or bacteria in the
gastrointestinal tract would be concerning whether the transmitted genetic
material had an unfavorable impact on human health, but the likelihood of this
happening is low. Another source of risk is the likelihood of GM crops causing
mutations in human genes.
2.4 The importance of GMO awareness
Generally speaking, by being aware with our surroundings, it will make us
understand the things that are going on around us. Awareness can be defined as
“knowing that something exists; feeling, experiencing, or noticing something; or
knowing and understanding a lot about what is happening in the world or around
you.” (Yeager-Walrath, 2017), we were able to specifically discover our own
advantages and disadvantages within our self when being aware with a certain
topic or certain areas. Being aware will make you smarter, due to the fact that a
conscious person will make better choices than an unconscious person. Being
smart will not always be a solution to every choice we make, but being aware of it
brings freedom from fixed beliefs and habits. For instance, Ababio, Adi, and
Amoah (2012), Ph.D. students from the University of Education and Winneba
College of Technology Education, said that with the help of food labelling, we are
able to communicate with the food manufactures and this will further help us
understand the information regarding a certain food with the food label
information. With this, we are allowing ourselves to be aware of what is inside the
food that we eat and allows us to look for the nutrients that we need to intake in
our body. It is required for food manufactures to input the exact ingredients that
were put in the food in order to make it so that consumers could actually read
(based from the given food label information), if it has a certain ingredient that
the consumer has allergies in and be able to avoid such food. Based on what we
eat, it is important for us to be aware of genetically modified (GM) food
especially that some food is already containing GMOs, since it’s main
disadvantage of it is that it contains allergens that could even harm the consumers.
Aside from that, GM food are way cheaper than organic ones and GM foods are
created as an alternative for other food and this even contains more nutrition than
any other food.
In terms of being aware with what we usually eat from time to time, it is rather
important to be aware than being smart, because being aware will lead us to be
smarter. Jevsnik, Hlebec, and Raspor (2008), professors from the University of
Ljublijana, stated that “Knowledge of food safety among consumers has its
various dimensions. Due to a number of food-related incidents and reported

outbreaks worldwide, consumer confidence has begun to vacillate.”. Being wise
on what we buy and what we eat will strengthen our food security and brings us to
have a safer and healthier lifestyle. In which we will tend to make better decisions
for ourselves and the community that’s around us, by being aware, especially in
what we bring inside to our bodies, is necessary because if we usually don’t, it
could lead our bodies to be sick. Knowing the weaknesses of our body (e.g.,
allergies, lacks in vitamins, etc.), will help us to be conscious of what we eat and
we usually tend to protect ourselves with those weaknesses that we have.
However, even though the benefits of genetically modified organisms may
seem vast and extremely beneficial, GMOs and genetic engineering are still new
techniques and technologies and the risks that come along with it are still yet to be
fully understood, since being able to genetically modify an organism is still a very
new area in science (Bawa & Anilakumar, 2013). Also, since the test subjects are
living organisms, which has the ability to reproduce, grow, interact and migrate to
many areas of the earth, the possibility of risks that are involved in genetically
engineering organisms are high, and since because it’s inherently more dangerous
and unpredictable because of the fact that living organisms has a very
unpredictable nature and if genetically modified organisms were to be released in
nature or in the wild, which is a uncontrolled or managed place by humans, it
might evolve and gain unprecedented traits or diseases, will be impossible to
recall the main cause (Lassen et al., 2002).

CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter is divided into four parts: (1) Research Design; (2) Description of
Respondents; (3) Research Instruments used in collecting data; and (4) Statistical
Treatment Data. These four sections will serve as the researchers' guide in
gathering knowledge from ICSA students.
3.1 Research Design
The researchers in this study will use a mixed study where it is comprised of
both the qualitative and quantitative analysis in collecting, analyzing and
reviewing the data gathered. This research design was chosen by the researchers
because it will aid in data collection and interpretation. The aim of it is to obtain a
better understanding of the factors and establish GMO awareness of ICSA
students through descriptive-qualitative. The data gathered from the respondents
will be measured through the quantitative analysis design.
In getting the sample in the population, the researchers will use stratified
random sampling or also known as quota random sampling. This method will be
done by dividing the population into strata and take a random sample from the
strata.
The gender of the respondents is the key, that characteristic will be used in order
to obtain the target sample in this study.
3.2 Description of Respondents
The respondents of this research will be the students of grades 7-10 of the
junior high school and grades 11-12 of the senior high school.
A. Profile of the Respondents
The respondents of this research will be the ICSA students, where 1 st group
pertains to grades 7-10 while the 2nd group pertains to grades 11-12. The 85
respondents in this study, who are currently studying at ICSA, is the 20% of the
426 total population of enrolled students (ICSA Principal Office, 2021), will be
randomly selected from each grade level
Table 1
List of Group of Respondents
Respondents I II Respondents’ Population

Population Percentage
Grade 7 ✔ 14 16%
Grade 8 ✔ 12 14%
Grade 9 ✔ 9 11%
Grade 10 ✔ 9 11%
Grade 11 ✔ 18 21%
Grade 12 ✔ 23 27%
Total 85 100%
Table 2 describes the target population, returned sample and the percentage of
the retrieved questionnaires.
Table 2
Population, Sample & Retrieval of Questionnaire
Respondents Target Returned Percentage

Population Sample Retrieval
Group 1 44
Group 2 41
Total 85
B. Profile of the Individual Respondents
Table 3 describes the profile of the respondents according to their gender, age
and years of stay in ICSA.
Table 3
Profile of the Individual Students
Gender Group 1 Group 2 Total
Male
Female
Missing
Total
Age Group 1 Group 2 Total
15yrs old & below

16-17yrs. old
18-20yrs. old
21yrs. & above
Years of Stay in ICSA 1-2 years 3-4years 5-6 years

Male
Female
Missing
Total
3.3 Research Instrument
The researchers will create a checklist type survey questionnaire and design
interviews as the instruments in obtaining data. In the survey, the respondents will
just need to put a check (✔) on the given potential responses. The survey
questionnaire will be used by the researchers to collect qualitative data for this
study. The researchers will also use a letter to obtain approval in distributing
survey questionnaires and conducting interviews from the principal and the
participant's information and informed consent for the respondents. The survey
questionnaire is split into four parts in relation to the objectives:
Part 1: Profile of the Respondents
This section contains the name, gender, age, year and section and the years of
stay of the respondents in ICSA, Virac, Catanduanes.
Part 2: Determining the level of awareness on GMO.

This contains questions that will describe the level of understanding on the
effects of GMO to the respondents.
Part 3: Identifying the negative effects of GMO
This describes the respondent’s assessment and evaluation of the negative
effects of GMO.
Part 4: Presenting ways to overcome GMO
This describes the intentions of the respondents in developing GMO awareness
and in establishing methods for identifying GMOs.
3.4 Statistical Treatment Data
The statistical treatment data will be the formula that the researchers will use
in the analysis and interpretation of the gathered data.
1. Percentage Formula
The percentage method will be used in describing how a variable will relate to
the entirety.
fx
Formula: % = n * 100
Where % = Percentage
fx = frequency
n = number of respondents
2. Weighted Arithmetic Mean (WX)

Composite rating of the Responders criteria.
∑ XW ∑ XW
Formula: WX= -
∑w N
Where:WX = Weighted mean
W = Weight of X
∑ Xw = Sum of weighted X’s
∑ w = Sum of weighted X
N=∑w
3. Likert Scale
The 5-point Likert Scale will be used in defining the level of importance or
sufficiency of the characteristics.
Weighted Unit Verbal

Mean Weigh Interpretation
t
4.50 - 5.00 Always, strongly agree,
5
very significant
3.50 - 4.40 4 Almost always, agree,
significant
2.50 - 3.40 3 Frequently, neutral/doubtful,
quite significant
1.50 - 2.40 2 Seldom, disagree,
less significant
1.00 – 1.40 1 Never, strongly disagree,
not significant at all
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importance-of-awareness

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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SEMINARY ACADEMY

PAGPAPUSOG: DEVELOPING GMO AWARENESS

A Research Proposal Submitted to the

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

DEL PRADO, RHEY TRAVIS YGOR III

1.1 Background of the Study

In today’s society, knowledge of nutritional value and ingredients in our foods

is extremely important to be conscious of because consumers need to know

GMOs, which contain toxic herbicides, such as Roundup (“Non-GMO Project,”

of Food and Agricultural Research, University of California, they said that

genetically modified (GM) technology is a highly controversial topic for today’s

global food consumer. The commercial development of GM crops began in 1996

by farmers for countless of generations, that went through extensive genetic

food (GM food) refers to food products

that are developed through biotechnology which can involve numerous

to products that have been genetically engineered. Moreover, Rangel (2015), a

malaria biology scientist with a doctor of philosophy degree from Harvard

use of scientific facilities is not needed. Consequently, the domestication of

developed more controllable and precise methods of genetic engineering to be

respond to numerous changes along with the increasing demands of consumers,

mechanisms in transferring DNA, and it also occurs in nature on a much larger

develop resistance, like pathogenic bacteria having antibiotics resistance (Clive,

Despite this, Flynn (2011), a health educator and writer specializing in

that GM foods were substantially equivalent to traditionally bred food sources, it

genetic engineering techniques, where genetic modification of organisms is

the same time, increase the possibilities of an unprecedented effect or problem

modified organisms, like papaya, through genetic engineering, has been

genetically modified in a way so that it can develop ringspot virus resistance,

of the modification, the industry could have collapsed (Keefe, 2021).

When we think of food, we sometimes think that as long as it can make us

become more knowledgeable of what we eat. This is important because

through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), A very expensive device

modified or not if it is not labelled (Debode et al., 2019).

In order for us to avoid getting diseases, such as obesity, we need to avoid

positive connection between obesity and genetically modified corn (Samsel,

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Genetically modified organisms is a great advancement for humans in

biotechnology and agriculture, it can protect the environment, increase the

that should be addressed.

modified organisms and develop their knowledge as well as promote awareness

1.3 Objectives of the Study

three objectives are as follows:

1. To raise the awareness of ICSA students about genetically modified

2. To identify the negative effects of GMO to ICSA students

3. To present ways to overcome the challenges of GMO to ICSA students.

1.4 Significance of the Study

progress is required from individuals, it is needed to gain more understanding

them create a sustainable and healthier lifestyle.

The study will be beneficial to the following:

Researchers/Students - The results of this study will allow the students to

a reference data in conducting new research.

Scientific GM FOOD CONSUMPTION

1.5 Theoretical Framework

“Decisions to choose genetically modified foods: how do people’s perceptions of

safety of genetically modified organisms in foods will associate with the

perception of individuals on GM food consumption (H1) and will support their

awareness on GM food consumption (H2). To influence the public perception of

GM foods, the perceptions of scientists in the scientific community should be able

higher levels of deference or support of the scientific community to the

awareness of the people on GM food will be positively associated by their

perceptions on GM food. People’s healthy eating preferences will moderate the

relationship between their perception and consumption of genetically modified

1.6 Scope and Limitation

This study focuses on the issue regarding genetically modified organism