Genetically%20Modified%20Organisms

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Genetically Modified Organisms
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• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
• - an organism whose genetic material has been
  altered using genetic engineering techniques
• one or more genes from other organisms are
  inserted into a living organism to give it new
  characteristics

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But why?

• Scientists are modifying genes of organisms so
  that they contain new or improved characteristics
  that could be beneficial for humans

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History of GMO

• Creation of GMOs possible because of the
  discovery of DNA and other advances in scientific
  technology
• First GMO1973- E. coli expressing salmonella
  gene
• First GMO with a human gene1978- E. Coli strain
  producing the human protein insulin

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Uses of GMOs
Agriculture- producing plants resistant to
drought, freezing, extreme heat, insects,
parasites, herbicides
Food- preventing moulding, increasing nutritional
value
Medicine- using animals for research producing
medications
Industry- producing biodegradable plastics
producing fuel
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Genetic Engineering-How it works

• a characteristic of interest (a trait we want in
  another organism ex. resistance to cold) is
  identified and the gene is located in the DNA of
  the organism
• The gene is extracted from the donor organism
• The gene is inserted into the cells of the
  organism to be modified
• Organisms which contain the desired trait are
  selected (when it works)

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How it really works (an example using insulin)

1. The gene which is produces insulin in humans is
   identified and isolated
2. A bacteria which is easy to grow is selected (E.
   coli)
3. The gene is inserted into the genome of the
   bacteria
4. The bacteria is cultured
5. Insulin produced by the bacteria is extracted and
   purified
6. Insulin is injected into an organism

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Ethical Considerations

• science interfering with nature- religious and
  moral concerns
• genes inserted in one organism could accidentally
  incorporate into the genome of other organisms
  with undesirable outcomes
• possibility of allergic reactions for people
  consuming genetically modified foods
• traditional and native organisms being lost due
  to other better breeds

Glofish the first genetically modified animal to
be sold as a pet
We do not yet know the environmental and health
consequences of GMOs
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GMOs

• Pros

• Cons

YOU DECIDE!
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Cell Cultures
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Cell Cultures

• Cell culturing is a process that allows cells to
  be reproduced outside of their natural
  environment (meaning outside of the organisms
  from which they came)
• many types of cells can be used such as
  unicellular microorganisms or complex plant or
  animal cells

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Uses

• Research
• Testing medications
• Producing vaccinations
• Producing tissue such as skin

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Pasteurization

• Is the process whereby food is heated for a
  period of time in order to destroy harmful
  microorganisms.
• Ex Raw milk -gt heating at 78.8 oC for 6 seconds
  -gt Pasteurized milk