Genetic Engineering

• Genetic engineering is the direct modification of an organism's genome, which is the list of specific traits (genes) stored in the DNA

• Changing the genome enables engineers to give desirable properties to different organisms

• Organisms created by genetic engineering are called genetically modified organisms(GMOs)

1973: created first genetically modified bacteria

1974: created GM mice

1982: first commercial development of GMOs (insulin-producing bacteria)

1994: began selling genetically modified food

2003: began selling GMOs as pets (Glo fish)

• All genetic changes affect the protein synthesis of the organism

• By changing which proteins are produced, genetic engineers can affect the overall traits of the organism

• Genetic modifications can be completed by a number of different methods:

• Inserting new genetic material randomly or in targeted locations

• Directed replacement of genes (recombination)

• Removal of genes

• Mutation of existing genes

• Artificial Selection

• A. Selective Breeding

• B. Hybridization

• C. Inbreeding

• Cloning

• Gene Splicing

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• Bacteria are the most common GMOs because their simple structure permits easy manipulation of their DNA

• One of the most interesting uses for genetically modified bacteria is the production of hydrocarbons (plastics and fuels) usually found in fossil fuels

• Cyanobacteria have been modified to produce plastic (polyethylene) and fuel (butanol) as byproducts of photosynthesis

• E.coli bacteria have been modified to produce diesel fuel

How might genetic engineering modify plants to solve everyday problems?

Consider world hunger, weather problems, insecticide pollution...)

• GMO crop production in the US (2010)

• 93% of soybeans

• 93% of cotton

• 86% of corn

• 95% of sugar beets

• Ex. one common modified crop is Bt-corn. A gene from the Nt bacteria is added so the corn produces a protein that is poisonous to certain insects but not humans.

Modified virus injected in sapling tree causes the bananas to contain virus protein

Scorpion genes added to the cabbage prevent insects from eating it

• Insect and herbicide resistant

• Drought/freeze resistant

• Disease resistant

• Higher yield

• Faster Growth

• Improved nutrition

• Longer shelf life

Could genetic engineering be used to modify any animals to solve problems?

• Protein tracking

• Disease detection using bioluminescent imaging (BLI) to identify types of cells

• Novelty pets (Glo fish)

Genes from two other fish cause this salmon to continually produce growth hormones

Modifying bacteria responsible for methane production in cattle results in 25% less-flatulent cows

Spider genes in goats enable the production of spider silk in goat milk

• risk to human health; unsafe to eat

• harm to the environment and wildlife

• increased pesticide and herbicide use

• farmer's health

• seen and pollen drift

• creation of herbicide-resistant weeds

• What about genetic engineering in humans?

Nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the countries in the European Union, have enacted significant restrictions or full bans on the production and sale of genetically modified organism food products, and 64 countries now have GMO labeling requirements.