7.1.

Genetically Modified
Organisms and Nanotechnology
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) – refers any living
organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic
material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.

Biosafety – refers to a condition in which the probability of

harm, injury, or any damage resulting from the intentional and
unintentional introduction and/or use of a regulated is within
acceptable and manageable levels.

Nanotechnology- refers to the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic

scale to produce new structures, materials, and devices.
Brief History of GMO
✓ In 1965- the terms deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and
ribonucleic acid (RNA) are formally named.

✓ In the 1950s, the efforts of James Watson, Francis Crick,

Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin paved the way to the
discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA and gave DNA
and RNA final recognition as the containers of genetic
information in living systems.

✓ Fast forward to 2003 which marked the completion of the Human

Genome Project (HGP).
The Process of Genetic Engineering
1. Identification of the trait of interest

• The first step involves the selection or

identification of the gene of interest or
the trait that you want to express in an
organism.
• Crucial step as it involves critical
thinking and one must consider the
potential significance or impact of that
trait to the organism and its
environment.
2. Isolation of the gene of interest

• The genome of the species with the trait

of interest is compared to the species
which does not carry the said trait.

• Available database of information of an

organism’s genome is helpful in this
method if there are any, otherwise the
scientist will perform the so-called
“knock-out” to screen and isolate the
gene that leads to the specific trait.
3. Insertion of the gene of interest
into a new genome

➢ This step mainly involves the

incorporation of the isolated gene
of interest into a new organism.

➢ This is achieved through various

methods such as the use of gene-
gun.
4. Growing the GMO

➢ The genotype is constantly monitored by

scientists or researchers upon growing to
ensure they are propagating the ones that
carry a certain trait.

➢ They are grown in climate-controlled

growth chambers, greenhouses, and other
controlled sites.
7.2. Products and Technology developed
using GE
GMOs gained advancements in many applications:

✓ food crops and agriculture

✓ improved nutrition
✓ pharmaceuticals,
✓ renewable resources.

In 2018, a total of 70 countries adopted biotech crops through

cultivation and importation and the Philippines ranked 5th
among top adopters in Asia-Pacific.
GM Corn

✓ Most GM corn varieties are made to

resist pests and the application of
herbicides.
✓ Bt-corn is developed for control
against the Asiatic corn borer.
✓ The mechanism involves the
production of a protein specifically
toxic to corn borer pests but not to
humans, pets, livestock, and other
animals.
GM Rice

✓ The GM rice crop is intended to

address Vitamin A deficiency in the
diet.

✓ It contains beta-carotene that is

converted into vitamin A essential for
the body and that gives the rice its
golden color.
GM Yellow summer squash

✓grown only in the United States

✓resistant to certain squash

viruses.
GM Soybean

✓ produced for higher oil and protein

content.
✓ Some varieties have been altered for oil
production and higher production of
oleic acid.
✓ Most varieties are used to feed mostly
poultry and livestock.
✓ Uses also include processed food
components like emulsifiers, and
proteins.
GM Cotton

✓ pest resistant to the cotton

bollworms which allows higher
yield of cotton

✓ provides dependable raw material

sources in textile industries.

✓ Other uses include cottonseed oil

for packaged foods and frying in
restaurants and hulls for animal
food.
GM Canola

➢ For edible oil production have been

modified to be tolerant to specific
herbicides under a defined crop
management plan.

➢ Canola seed meal is also used as food

for animals.
GM Alfalfa

✓ mainly for cattle feed and mostly for

dairy cows

✓ resistant to herbicides

✓ allows farmers to protect crops

against destructive weeds
competing with soil nutrients which
could reduce alfalfa production and
the nutritional quality of the hay
GM Papaya

✓ saved papaya farming in the

Hawaiian Islands infected with
ringspot virus that almost wiped
out their production

✓ made to resist the ringspot virus

✓ also known as Rainbow papaya.

GM Carnations

✓ have been on the market since the

mid-90s and claimed to be the first
GM flowers in the world.

✓ It was genetically modified to have

mauve, purple or violet-colored
flowers
Blue rose

✓ Blue roses are genetically

modified with a gene that
stimulates blue pigments in
pansies

✓ can resist pests

GM zebrafish

✓ was developed by injecting genes for

fluorescing proteins from jellyfish
and sea anemone to eggs of zebrafish.

✓ aquarium zebrafish were made in

three different colors, red, orange,
and green

✓ said to be the first genetically

modified animal to be sold as a pet
The spider silk protein in goats

✓ The transgenic production of silk

proteins in mammary glands of some
animals and secreted into milk has
been investigated.

✓ A goat has been genetically modified to

contain spider silk protein for possible
silk production along with its milk
What about nanotechnology?

➢Nanoparticles were used in colored glass by Romans during the 4th

century AD.
➢Lycurgus cup is the oldest synthetic nanomaterial.
➢Italians used nanoparticles in their Renaissance pottery during the
16th century.
➢In 1959, physicist Richard Feynman discussed the concept of
nanotechnology and its potential.
➢In 1974, the term "nanotechnology" was defined by Japanese
scientist Norio Taniguchi.
➢Molecular nanotechnology developments led to nanosystems
machinery manufacturing.
There are two general approaches in
nanostructure synthesis:

1. Top-down approach: It involves breaking

down bulk materials into smaller structures
using various methods like lithography and
deposition.

2. Bottom-up approach: It involves

building nanostructures from single atoms
or molecules into the desired structure using
methods like chemical vapor deposition and
self-assembly.
Nanotechnology innovations
Carbon nanotubes (cnts)
CNTs are cylindrical molecules made of
carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal
pattern. They have potential applications
in various fields such as polymer
nanocomposites, water transport systems,
biosensing, and medical applications like
targeted tumors, biosensors for infections,
and drug delivery. They are also used in
anti-static packaging for electronic
devices.
Fullerenes

Buckminsterfullerene is a chemical
compound with 60 carbon atoms that
form a soccer-ball-shaped molecule. It is
very stable and is used in cancer drug
delivery vehicles to hold and deliver
compounds used in treatment. Its stability
makes it unable to break inside the body
and is excreted in its form.
Nanowires

Nanowires are very small wires on the

nanometer scale made up of
semiconductor materials such as silicon
or germanium. They have applications
in detecting biological agents like
proteins, DNA, RNA, and viruses.
Ongoing research is focused on
developing practical biomedical devices
using nanowires.
Quantum Dots

Quantum dots are semiconductor crystals

with unique optical, electronic, and
photophysical properties that fluoresce
different wavelengths of radiation, making
them suitable for biological labeling,
imaging, and detection applications in
clinical and medical studies, as well as in
the energy industry.
 Why do we utilize these methods?

Have you had doubts and reservations in

trying something new?
Why utilize modern technologies when there
are existing methods?
Conventional Vs. Modern Methods
GMO Improved traits useful in various applications:

1. Insect resistance
2. Herbicide resistance
3. Virus resistance
4. Delayed fruit ripening
5. Altered oil content
6. Pollen control
7. Nutrition fortification
8. Pest resistance
9. Protein production
10. Pigment or color chang
7.3. Issues, Commercial Concerns and Regulations

The rise of technologies and great advancements is always coupled

with uncertainties and issues not only because of its newness or
because it may sound impossible but also because it might also
affect other aspects may it be social rights, safety, environment,
society, health, or life itself.
Issues and Concerns

1. Genetic Engineering Techniques

• This suggests that one gene might not determine one trait
• Genes incorporated into the genome could reside anywhere
carrying mutations
2. Health Risks
• It is pointed out that animals fed by the crops have been harmed
or even died.
• Young abnormal sperm count in rats, abortion, and infertility in
livestock grazing on some GE maize and corn have been reported.
3. GMOs and human rights
4. Occupational Exposure
What do you think is the role of the government in
response to emerging technologies?
 Role of the Government agencies in
Response to these emerging technologies
National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines
➢ It identifyes and evaluate the potential hazards in GE experiments,
formulation and review of national policies on biosafety and
guidelines in risk assessment
➢ Originally issued under E.O 430 issued by Pres. Corazon Aquino in
the year 1990.

Department of Science and Technology

➢ Shall lead in ensuring that the best available science is used and
applied in the adoption of biosafety policies, measures, and
guidelines, and in making biosafety decisions.
Department of Agriculture
➢ Shall be in charge of addressing biosafety issues related to the
country’s agricultural productivity and food security.
➢ It shall take the lead in evaluating and monitoring plant and plant
products derived from the use of modern biotechnology, as provided
by DA AO No. 8, series of 2002.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

➢ primarily responsible for the conservation, management,
development, and proper use of the country’s environment
and natural resources
➢ shall ensure that environmental assessments are done and
impacts identified in biosafety decisions.
 Department of Health
➢ the DOH shall formulate guidelines in assessing the impacts on
health posed by modern biotechnology and its applications.
➢ shall be in charge of evaluating and monitoring processed food
derived from or containing GMOs.
Department of Foreign Affairs
➢ Shall participate in promoting and protecting Philippine interests
on biosafety in bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums.
Department of Trade and Industry
➢ Shall participate in relation to biosafety decisions that have an
impact on trade, intellectual property rights, investments, and
consumer welfare and protection
National Commission on Indigenous People
➢ Shall participate in relation to biosafety decisions which have a
specific impact on indigenous peoples and communities

Department of Interior and Local Government

➢ shall participate in relation to biosafety decisions which have an
impact on the autonomy of local government units.
Institutional Biosafety Committee
➢ tasked to evaluate and monitor the biosafety aspects of their
biological research
 Biosafety Guidelines
1. Guidelines for Contained Facility Test
➢ refers to any operation, undertaken within a facility, installation, or other
physical structures, which involves GMOs that are controlled by specific
measures that effectively limit their contact with and their impact on the
external environment.

2. Guidelines for Field Tests

➢ refers to the guidelines set to any intentional introduction into the

environment of a regulated article that passed the contained use and
confined test for the purpose of research and development and for which
specific confinement and mitigating measures may be imposed.
3. Guideline for Commercialization
➢ This refers to guidelines set for commercial propagation defined as the
delivery for introduction into commerce of a regulated article for
regeneration into plants or plant products for consumption by humans
or animals.
Thank you! :)