Gene Therapy and

Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs)
Unit 3: Gene Therapy and Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs)
This unit discusses:

1. the fruition of the utilization of biodiversity for

the consumption of the society as food,
medicine and tool to increase economy, along
with the accompanying impacts on the
environment and the society.
2. Gene Therapy
3. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s).
 Discussion
Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) and Gene
Therapy
 Genetically Modified Species
 One of the most controversial issues in Science
and Technology is the introduction of
genetically modified seeds in the agriculture
sector for better yield as well as for the
resistance of drought and flood situations and
to pests.
Genetically Modified Organisms
 Discussion
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Gene
Therapy
 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - are products of artificial
manipulation and alteration of species genetic material in a laboratory using
genetic engineering. Plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes may be combined
or may be crossbred to produce another kind of species that do not occur in
nature.
 Whether GMOs provide increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or
any other consumer benefit are yet to be proven in the market. In addition, growing
concern on how GMOs may affect consumers’ health and the environment need to
be addressed.
 History of GMOs
 As early as 1935, DNA was discovered by Russian scientist Andrei Nikolaevitch
Belozersky when he isolated pure DNA. In 1973, recombinant DNA created the
idea for man-made DNA, or rDNA, comes from a graduate student at Stanford
University Medical School under the supervision of Professor Herbert Boyer and
a few of his biologist colleagues.
 In 1975, Asilomar Conference A group of biologists get together with a few
lawyers and doctors to create guidelines for the safe use of genetically
engineered DNA.
 A 1980 court case between a genetics engineer at General Electric and the U.S.
Patent Office allowed for the first patent on a living organism, a bacterium
with an appetite for crude oil, ready to gulp up spills.
History of GMOs
In 1982, Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approved the first GMO- Humulin,
an insulin produced by genetically
engineered E. coli bacteria on the
market.
In 1993, FDA approved Bovine
somatotropin (bST), a metabolic protein
hormone used to increase milk
production, in dairy cows for commercial
use.
In 1994, U.S. FDA approved the Flavr
Savr tomato for sale on grocery store
Flavr Savr shelves. This kind of tomato has a
www.ciencia-activa.org delayed-ripening effect allowing a longer
shelf life than conventional tomatoes.
In 1995, Bt Potatoes and Corn, and
Roundup Ready Soybeans were approved
safe by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
 History of GMOs
 In 1996, weeds resistant to glyphosate, the herbicide used with many GMO
crops, are detected in Australia. Research shows that the super weeds are
seven to 11 times more resistant to glyphosate than the standard susceptible
population. In the same year, Dolly, the first cloned animal was Born.
 The European Union rules in favor of mandatory labeling on all GMO food
products, including animal feed in 1997.
 In 1998, a genetically modified papaya has grown in Hawaii which is resistant
to the Ring spot virus and it also produces the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin
which is considered not harmful to human but plays a great role as an
insecticide.
History of GMOs
Starting 1999, over 100 million acres
worldwide are planted with genetically
engineered seeds.
In the Philippines in 2000, the first
golden rice was developed to address
the vitamin deficiencies particularly in
Asian countries where rice is a staple
food crop.
This is a variety of rice (Oryza
sativa) modified genetically to
biosynthesize beta-carotene, a
precursor of vitamin A in the edible
parts of rice. Additional three beta-
carotene synthesized genes makes
golden rice differ from its parental
strain.
Golden Rice In 2003, a Bt-toxin-resistant caterpillar-
www.moebiusonline.com cum-moth, Helicoverpa zea, was found
feasting on GMO Bt cotton crops in the
southern United States.
 History of GMOs
 In 2006, a development of animals with traits that are desirable compared
with their natural counterparts was conducted using Yorkshire pigs that were
genetically modified to produce a type of pig that produces enzyme phytase in
its saliva to digest plant phosphorus, unlike their counterpart pigs.
 In 2011, research in eastern Quebec found Bt toxins in the blood of pregnant
women and showed evidence that the toxin could be passed to the babies.
 In 2012, a French farmer Paul Francois sued Monsanto for chemical poisoning
he claimed was caused by its pesticide Lasso, part of the Roundup Ready line of
products. He won the case.
 History of GMOs
 As early as 2013, corn and the poplars have been genetically modified and
used to produce biofuel which have been used as an efficient substitute of
petroleum products.
 The patent on the Roundup Ready line of genetically engineered seeds ended in
2014.
 There are other numerous GMOs produced all over the world not mention here.
All these conversations involve mutation. Science agrees that there is a
probability that the majority of mutations attempted by a species would fail
miserably and the individual plant/animal would not survive (Mayr, 2007).
 To date, GMOs are being argued upon due to its safety and the right to modify
organisms and remove their original aspects.
 History of GMOs
 New organisms created by genetic engineering could present an ecological
problem since we are uncertain of what a genetically engineered specie would
make on the environment.
 There is a possibility of causing an imbalance in the ecology of a region just
exotic species would do.
 An accident in engineering the genetics of a virus or bacteria for example could
result in a stronger type, which could cause a serious epidemic when released.
 This could be fatal in human genetic engineering creating problems ranging
from minor medical problems, to death.
Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy
 Gene therapy - a method just like having
GMOs but normally adenovirus are used to
introduce the modified Deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) into a human cell, altering the targeted
site.
 Gene therapy was conceptualized in 1972 but
the first attempt of modifying human DNA was
just performed in 1980 by Martin Cline.
 By then, nuclear gene transfer in humans was
not approved until the late 1980s. 

Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy
In 1980s, gene therapy for severe combined
immunodeficiency disease (SCID), a very rare, life-
threatening disease that a child may be born with, was
explored.
 This is done by taking the child’s blood and putting the normal gene
into the blood cells. The child is then given a blood transfusion with
his or her own blood that has the normal gene inserted.
 The gene then works itself into the immune system and lessens the
symptoms of the disorder (Assi et al, 2012).
The first approved gene therapy clinical research in the US
took place on 14 September 1990, at the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), under the direction of William French
Anderson. In 1993, the first somatic treatment that
produced a permanent genetic change was performed.
 Gene Therapy
Gendicine - first commercial gene therapy was approved in
China in 2003 for the treatment of certain cancers. Due to
some clinical successes since 2006 Gene Therapy
regained researchers’ attention but still considered as an
experimental technique.
In 2016, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human
Use of the European Medicines Agency endorsed a gene
therapy treatment called Strimvelis and it was approved by
the European Commission in June of this year.
In some studies, the delivery of genes that speeds up the
destruction of cancer cells were done. Gene or cell
therapies have emerged as realistic prospects for the
treatment of cancer, and involve the delivery of genetic
information to a tumor to facilitate the production of
therapeutic proteins. (Gene Revolution: Issues and
Impacts, n.d., Wirth et al, 2013).
Dilemma of Gene Therapy and
GMOs
Dilemma of Gene Therapy and
GMOs
As more human genes are being used in
non-human organisms to create new
forms of life that are genetically partly
human, new ethical questions arise.
Various concerns arise that pose
controversies on Gene Therapy and
GMOs. What percentage of human genes
does an organism have to contain before
it is considered human? Bleich et al,
2012)
How many human genes would a green
Mutation pepper for example have to contain
before it can be eaten without worries?
www.agrobiz.hr Human genes are now being inserted
into tomatoes and peppers to make
them grow faster. What about the mice
that have been genetically engineered
to produce human sperm?
Dilemma of Gene Therapy and
GMOs
What psychological effect would it pose on the
offspring? What if allergens transfer from one food
crop to another through genetic engineering?
How would a pregnant woman ensure that her baby is
protected from genetically modified products that may
endanger their offspring by harming normal fetal
development and altering gene expression? (Gene
Revolution: Issues and Impacts, n.d.).
Actions on Gene Therapy and
GMOs
Actions on Gene Therapy and GMOs
Agroecology - is a study that suggest novel
management approaches on farming systems that
may help address the concern on the health of
biodiversity and of the consumers of GMOs. The
study should evaluate the performance of the
specific GMO and whether it poses risk to human
health Silici, 2014).
Further basic and translational research, as well as
clinical experiences, to outline functional
mechanisms, predictive approaches, patient-
How to mitigaterelated studies and upcoming challenges should be
done to address existing problems in the field of
the problem? development and future perspectives in gene
therapy.