A Study of Genetically Modified Crops: Their Advantages and Disadvantages

1. A Study of Genetically Modified Crops: Their Advantages and Disadvantages Prepared by: Matthew MacMullin, Biological Engineering Jordan Smith, Food Science Nahid Aalidaai, Food Science

2. Outline • Introduction • How Genes Affect the Crops • Creation of Genetically Modified Crops • Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops • Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops • Future of the Technology • Conclusions

3. Have a transgene artificially added. • Transgene from an unrelated organism. • This alters the crop plant’s DNA. Introduction Why Create Genetically Modified Crops? What Are Genetically Modified Crops? • Give plants traits they did not have before being altered. • Allow growers to customize plants with attributes they choose.

4. Introduction • Breeding plants to have certain traits. • Use of radiation to cause mutations in the 1920’s. • First genetically modified plants were created in 1983. • These early creations lead to plants containing commercially valuable traits. A brief look at the history of Genetically Modified Plants.

5. How Genes Affect the Crops • DNA contains the organism’s genetic information. • Genes are certain segments of DNA that hold the information needed to synthesis proteins. • Different genes lead to different proteins. • The proteins lead to expression of the plant’s traits.

6. How Genes Affect the Crops Source: http://cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/how.html

7. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Locating the Genes to Use Is the current limiting Factor. Locating the gene alone is not enough. Mostly a trial and error process.

8. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops • Usually done through a bacterium plasmid vector. • Gene isolated using restriction enzymes. • The plasmid is taken from a bacteria cell. • The gene is inserted into plasmid using ligase. • Plasmid placed back into bacteria cell where it is replicated as the cell reproduces. Replication of the Gene

9. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Replication of the Gene Source: http://academic.kellogg.cc.mi.us/herbrandsonc/bio111/propagation.htm

10. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops • The must be modified before inserted into plant cells. • Need promoter and termination sequences. • A marker gene is added. • Other changes made to ensure acceptance by the plant. Designing The Gene for Use Source: http://cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/how.html

11. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops • Two methods used • Micro-projectile bombardment method • Genes are attached to micro-projectiles and fired into cells. • Clean and safe. • May cause unwanted side affects. Transformation of Plants

12. Agrobacterium Method. • Most common method. • Makes use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. • Disease causing DNA replaced with transgene. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Transformation of Plants Source: http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?p=518

13. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops • Agrobacterium Method • Transfers genes through a floral dip. • Does not affect stability of plant’s cells. • Only effective on some crops Transformation of Plants

14. Creation of Genetically Modified Crops Source: http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?p=518

15. Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops • Grow premium crops under poor conditions. • Pest or Herbicide resistant crops. • Faster Maturation rates for crops. • Increased Yields for crops. For Farmers

16. Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops • Higher Quality attributes. • Size, Colour, Flavours. • Longer shelf-life for products. For Consumers

17. Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops For Developing Countries • Grow Crops on less Fertile land. • Larger Yields feed more People. • More Crops Grown; Faster Maturation.

18. Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops • Crops will require less Pesticides. • Crops will require less Herbicides. • Less Farmland used (in theory). For Environment

19. Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops Environmental Risks • Resistant Pests and Weeds. • Mutated Genes in Nature. • Hybrid Plants. • Extinction of plant species. • Unforeseen Risks.

20. Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops • Allergens from proteins not normally present in food products. • Pharmaceutical Crop Contamination. • Unforeseen Risks. Health Risks

21. Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops Economical Concerns • Traditional and Organic Farms Obsolete. • Corporate Monopoly. • Farmers forced to use GM crops. • Only Corporations can develop/supply seed.

22. The Future of the Technology • Currently used to improve crops. • Still being improved • Current research centers on improving the health of consumers. • Adding vitamins to crops such as rice in areas of the world where nutritional deficiencies are abundant. • Possibility of fighting diseases.

23. Conclusions • Still a relatively new technology. • Always changing and improvement. • Seemingly unlimited possibilities. • Pros outweigh the Cons. • Research will hopefully continue and make the world better. • However, The products should be tested thoroughly.

24. Any Questions?