Choose an example of a genetically modified organism (plant or animal) and expan
ID: 89136 • Letter: C
Question
Choose an example of a genetically modified organism (plant or animal) and expand on the topic by providing information on the below points:
-choice of an organism that is genetically modified and clearly described
-source of the gene(s) are specifically given (genus and species if possible)
-biotechnology used to create the organism is described and fully explained
-date when the work was done; main scientists involved
-any problems, surprises, or early successes associated with producing the organism (or gene product)
-impetus for the production of the organism (or gene product) (ie. what problem was it intended to solve?)
-any current successes or concerns regarding the organism
-provide a concluding paragraph that gives your opinion on the following: 1. Do you agree or disagree with the use of genetics to modify organisms? 2. Provide at least three reasons to support your opinion. Your last reason can be of a more personal nature, what is your gut reaction to why GMOs are beneficial or dangerous?
-list your sources (if wikipedia is used, list the original source)
Explanation / Answer
A Genetically modified organism is any organism whose gentic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. They are used to produce many medications and genetically modified foods and are widely used in scientific research and the production of other goods.
Example is Bt cotton: It is a cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to bollworm. It is produced by monsanto.
Description: Strains of bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produce over 200 different Bt toxins, each harmfull to different insects. Most notably, Bt toxins are insecticidal to the larvae of moths and butterflies, beetles, cotton bollworms and ghutu flies but harmless to other forms of life. The gene coding for Bt toxin has been inserted into cotton as a transgene, causing it to rpoduce this natural insecticide in tis tissues. In many regions, the main pests in commercial cotton are lepidopteran larvae, which are killed by Bt protein in the genetically modified cotton they eat.This eliminates the need to use large amounts of broad spectrum insecticieds to kill lepidopteran pests. This spares natural insect predators in the farm ecology and further contributes to noninsecticied pest management.
Mechanism: Bt cotton was created through the addition of genes encoding toxin crystals in the Cry group of endotoxin. When insects attack and eat the cotton plant the Cry toxins are disolved due to high pH levels of the insects stomach. The dissolved and activated Cry molecules bond to cadherine like proteins on cells comprising the brush border molecules.The epithelium of the brush border membranes seperates the body cavity from gut whilst allowing access for nutrients. The Cry toxin molecules attach themselves to specific locations on cathedrine like proteins present on the epithelial celss of the midge and ion channels are formed which allow the flow of potassium. Regulation of potassium concentration is essential and if left ncehcked, causes death of cells. Due to formation of Cry ion channels sufficiant regulation of potassium ions are lost and results in the death of epithelial cells. The death of scuh cells creates gaps in the brush border membrane, thus causeng death of organism.
HIstory; Japanese biologist, Shigetane Ishiwatari was investgating the cause of sotto disease that was killing large populations of silkworms when he first isolated the baterium Bacillus thuringiensis as the casue of disease in 1901. Ernst Berliner isolated a bacteria that had killed a Meditterian flour moth in 1911, and rediscovered Bt. In 1956, researchers, Hannay, Fitz - James and angus found taht the main insecticidal activity against lepidoteran insects was due to the parasporal crystal. IN the 1980s use of Bt increases when insects became increasingly resistant to the synthetic insecticides and scietists and environmentalists became aware that the chemicals were harming the environment. Bt is organic and it effects specific insects and does not persist in the environment. With the advancement in molecular biology, it soon became feasible to move the genes that encodes the toxic crystals into plants. The first genetically engineeered plant , corn, was registered with EPA in 1995. Bt cotton was introduced in 1996. Scientists involved in the creation of Bt cotton are unavialable.
Success associated with producing Bt coton is less use of insecticides so that environment became safer. There was more yeild compared to normal cotton. Price effect was also seen by growing Bt cotton.
There are problems associated with Bt cotton, high cost of seds, effectiveness upto 120 days, after that the toxin producing efficiency drstically decreses. It is ineffective against sucking pests like jassid, aphids, etc.
Conclusion: 1. Can agreed to a certain level of use of genetics to modify orgainsms, because they will be harmless to the organisms and less harm to the environment. But there will be disadvantages includes changes in the organisms which can be physically or chemically, thus we may get less effect or use compared to natural ones.
2. For example, Bt corn which mainly used for production sugar syrups or sweetners in food industries which will be usefull for less consuming but on more consumption it may lead to many diseases. Bt cotton is helpfull for rich farmers whereas it cannot be afforded by normal farmers. Thus there will be disadvantages for using gmo as well as advantages.
Sources: Bt cotton explanation university of montana - ethics and public affairs programme - 2013
Susna lang Seven year glitch: cornwell warns that chinese GM cotton farmers are loosing money due to secondary pests, cornell university
James,Clive Global review of the feild testing and commerciallisation of transgenic plants, The international service for aquitistion of agri biotech applications
www.bt.ucsd.edu/bt_cotton.html