BIODIVERSITY AND

HEALTHY SOCIETY
• GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
LESSON OBJECTIVES

◦ Define Biodiversity and its level

◦ Determine our role and how we can

conserve biodiversity

◦ Determine the ethics and implication of

GMOs
 PREPARATION
◦ In your own words write a 4 sentences paragraph about the
importance of plants , animals and forest in our lives.
INTRODUCTION
◦The term Biodiversity was first coined by Walter
G. Rosen in 1986.

◦The biosphere comprises of a complex collections

of innumerable organisms, known as the
Biodiversity, which constitute the vital life support
for the survival of humans.

◦Biological diversity represent the sum total of

various life forms such as unicellular fungi,
protozoa, bacteria, and multi-cellular organisms
such as plants, fishes and mammals at various
biological levels including habitats and ecosystem.
 CONCEPT OF BIODIVERSITY

◦ Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth.

◦ For any kind of animal or plant, each

individual is not exactly the same as any
other; nor are species or ecosystems.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
There are three types of biodiversity
◦Genetic Biodiversity
◦Species Biodiversity
◦Ecosystem Biodiversity
 GENETIC
BIODIVERSITY
the variety and variability of species of their population
 SPECIES
BIODIVERSITY

the variety of species of their life

forms
 ECOSYSTEM
BIODIVERSITY
Ecosystem is the structural and functional
unit of the biosphere
It is defined as the aggregation of various
habitats, community types and abiotic
environment in a given area.
IMPORTANCE OF
BIODIVERSITY
 Biodiversity is important for the
continuation of lie and is important for
the survival of specific species,
ecosystems and regions.
 Reasons for maintaining biodiversity:
- All species have the right to exist.
-Human are dependent on biodiversity for their sustenance, health, well-being and enjoyment of life.
- FOOD- we rely on biodiversity to provide us with a large and varied food source.
- Other species maintain the atmosphere, influence climate,generate and recycle essential nutrients in
topsoil, dispose wastes, control pests and diseases.
 THREATS TO
BIODIVERSITY
• Habitat Destruction – Important to protect habitat
in order to protect biodiversity within it. Huge
pressure from the World’s rapidly increasing
population.
• Global Climate Change- Change in a biotic
elements of ecosystems leading to biotic change.
• Habitat Fragmentation- From human activity.
Reduces ability of habitat to support species.
• Pollution- Introduction of pollutants such as
nutrient overloading with nitrate fertilizer as well
as more immediately harmful chemicals.
• Over-exploitation – This includes the illegal
wildlife trade as well as overfishing,logging of
tropical hardwoods etc.
 • SOLUTIONS FOR THIS

• Protecting remaining intact section

of natural habitat.
• Reduce human population and
expansion of urbanization and
industries.
• Educating the public about the
importance of natural habitat and
biodiversity.
• We can also include planting trees,
planting home gardens so as to
reduce need for man to nee large
lands for agricultural farms which
lead to habitat loss.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM
(GMO)
 WHAT IS GMO?
 A genetically modified organism is one whose material has
been altered using genetic engineering.
 GMO’s are most commonly used I foods and medicines.
This has led to concern about the dangers they might cause
to the environment and human health
 HOW??

By eliminating, modifying or adding copies of the

specific genes often from other organisms through
modern molecular biology techniques.
 2 most common types of GMO’s are:

FOODS- canola, soya bean, golden rice corn and

aspartame.
MEDICINES – insulin, hormones and vaccines
 FOOD GMO’S
 Crops are modified medicines so when farmer kill weeds with
herbicides the crops can withstand the exposure to the herbicide-killing
the weeds and not the crop.

MEDICINE GMO’S
 Genetically modified medicines can be produced cheaper and easier.
 Some GMO’s are: insulin, thyroid hormones and hepatitis B vaccine.
 GMO HISTORY

First GMO created in 1973

After years of testing and research, GMOs were introduced to farmers.
In the 1990s, genetically modified foods became available in stores.
 1978 Genentech
 Becomes the first to synthesize
insulin, later they create a human
growth hormone which was used
to enable dwarf children to grow
to a normal size.

1982 Monsanto
 Introduced a bovine growth
hormone used in cows to increase
milk production.
 They were among the first to
genetically modify a plant cell in
1983.
 ADVANTAGES
• All GM foods have been extensively tested and they are as safe as other
foods in the market place.
• GM crops can be made into convenience and junk food just like organic
crops and other crops.
• Nutrition depends on the food, not the method of crop breeding.
 DISADVANTAGES
 Unacceptable to some groups to copy genes.
 Interfere in food chain.
 Genetically engineered animals may suffer more health problems.
 Allergic reactions.
  ETHICAL CONCERNS
 Artificial manipulation of DNA never happened in nature.
 Traditional method of selective breeding is safe. Genetic material has
been altered and does not occur naturally
 GM crops are the only way to feed the world
 Agri-business, patent holders of CM crops control the world supply.
 ACTIVITY
1. What is biodiversity?
2. As humans, what is our role in biodiversity?
3. What you can do to conserve biodiversity?

ASSIGNMENT
Write a brief reflection of the impacts of GMO in humanity.
THANK YOU 