Genetically Modified

Organism
(GMO)
 Introduction
 The general process of genetic engineering is the deliberate manipulation of
the organism's genes, where it may involve transfer of genes from other
organism.
 An antibiotic-resistant E.coli bacteria was created in 1973. To date, there are
ongoing researches on GMOs such as using genetically modified male
mosquitoes as pest control over female mosquito carries Zika Virus
 However, despite the many possibilities of creating solutions for problems and
opening doors for innovations ,genetic engineering faces much opposition.
Opponents raise ethical, social and environmental issues related to genetic
engineering and its GMOs.
 This lesson will present the existence of genetic engineering, specifically GMOs in the
different areas of life, the impact to humankind , and the controversies that surround them.
Genetically Modified Organism
is term used for an organism created through
-
genetic engineering.
The World Health Organization (WHO,2014)
defines GMO as an "organism, either plant,
animal,or microorganism, in which the genetic
material (DNA) has been altered in a way that
does not occur naturally by mating or natural
recombination."
 The Genetic Engineering Process on a
Plant

The development of GMOs are perceived to help in the advancement of

technology for the benefit of humans in different industries like agriculture and
medicine.
GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries
The Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH, 2013) identified
the following roles of GMO in the food and agricultureal industries :
1. Pest Resistance -genetically modified plants to resist certain pests.
Example: Bt Corn.
The DNA (genome) of the BT Corn has been modified with the gene of Bacillus
thuringiensis, a soil bacterium that produces proteins which is toxic to corn borers (worms).
2. Virus Resistance -genetically modified plants to resist certain viruses.
Example: GM papaya or Rainbow Papaya
The papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is known to be detrimental to papaya plants. The protein
of PRSV was introduced to the papaya plant through plant tissue which turned out to be
resistant to the virus itself. The effect was like the vaccines humans have against measles or
influenza virus.
3. Herbicide Tolerance - genetically modifies plants to tolerate herbicide.
Example: Roundup Ready soybean
Glyphosate, an herbicide for weeds, was introduced to soybeans making it tolerant to the
herbicide itself. Farmers then can spray the herbicide killing the weeds but not the soybeans.
4. Fortification -genetically modified plants fortified with certain minerals.
Example: Golden Rice
Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, was introduced through biosynthesis genes to
the rice, making the rice grains fortified with Vitamin A.
5. Cosmetic Preservation -genetically modified plants to resist natural
discoloration.
Example: Arctic Apple
The apple variety was genetically modified organism to suppress the browning of apple
due to superficial damage.
6. Increase Growth Rate -a genetically modified organism that has higher
yield in growth than normal species.
Example: AquAdvantage salmon
A gene from an ocean pout, an eel-like fish was introduced to Pacific Chinook Salmon,
making the salmon grow faster than its normal rate.
GMOs in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms
1. Flower Production -GMO's in flower production are seen in
modified color and extended vase life of flowers.
Ex: Blue Roses
2. Paper Production- modified characteristics of trees for higher
yield of paper production.
Ex: Poplar Trees
3. Pharmaceutical Productions -modified plants to produce
pharmaceutical products.
Ex: Periwinkle Plants
4. Bioremediation -use of modified plants that can assist in the
bioremediation of polluted sites.
Ex: Shrub Tobacco
5. Enzyme and Drug Production -use of modified microorganisms
that can produce enzymes for food processing and medicines.
Ex: Cyclo maltose stein Glycol ultra never see (CGTase)
6. GMOs in Medical Field -genetic engineering is playing a significant
role from diagnosis to treatment of human-dreaded diseases . it
helps in production of drugs, gene therapy and laboratory researches.
Ex. Humulin - genetically engineered insulin used by TypeI diabetes
patients who are insulin dependent.
 Benefits of GMOs
Higher efficiency in farming
Increase in harvest
Control in fertility
Increase in food processing
Improvement of desirable characteristics
Nutritional and Pharmaceutical enhancement
Reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticide
 There are 400 million acres of GMO farmlands all over
the world
TOP 5 countries that operate GMO Farmlands
1.United States
2.Brazil
3.Argentina
4.India
5.Canada
 Potential Risk of GMOs
1. Inadequate studies on the effects of GMOs to humans and the
environment.
2. Genetic engineering promotes mutation in organisms which the long
term effect is still unknown.
3. Human Consumption of GMOs might have the following effects:
-More allergic reactions
-Gene Mutation
-Antibiotic resistance
-Nutritional Value
Potential Environmental Risk Caused by
GMOs
1. Risk in gene flow
2. Emergence of new forms of resistance and secondary pests and weed
problems.
3. Recombination of Virus and Bacteria to Produce New Pathogens
Potential Human Health Risks caused by GMOs
1. Human Genome Project (HGP) -Mapping of human genes to provide
framework for research and studies in the field of medicine.
2. Mutation of genetically engineered microorganisms
3. Cloning- the asexual reproduction of an organism using parent cell
through genetic engineering.
 Biosafety on GMO's
Codex Alimemtarius Commission(Codex)
-created by Food and Agricultural Organization(FOA) and World Health Organization (Who)
-responsible for the development of standards, codes of practices, guidelines and recommendations on food
safety.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

-Established in 2003
-an international environmental treaty that regulates the transboundary movements of Living Modified Organisms
(LMOs)
International Trade Agreement on labeling of GM food and food products.
-requires exporters of GM food and food products to label their products and give rights to importing parties to
reject or accept the GM products.
 GMOs in the Philippines Context
The GMO concern started in the 1990s with te creation of the National
Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) through the Executive Order
No. 430 of 1990. They develped the guidelines on the planned release of
Genetically Manipulated Organism (GMOs) and potentially harmful exotic
species in 1998.
The Philippines was markedto be the first cuntry in Asia to approved commercial
cultivationof GMOs when GM corn planting was approved in 2002(Serapio &
Dela Cruz,2016).
From December 2002 to prsent, there are 70 GMO applications approved by the
Department of Agriculture for h erelease to the environment.
62 GMOs approved for food feed processing
8 GMOs for propagation
In 2004, the Philippines was classified by International Service for acquisition of agri-biotech
applications as one of the fourteen biotech-mega countries which gorw 50,000 hectares or more
GMOs crops annually (James,2004).
2006
Philippines became part of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Executive Order No. 514 was issued to address the biosafety requirements of the Cartagena
Protocol
Establishment of the National Biosafety Framework (NBF).
2010
The Organic Agriculture Act was issued, encouraging organic agriculture than GMO related
agriculture.
Prior to this act, there are several Provinces like Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental which
agreed to support organic agriculture and ban the entry of GMOs and living GMOs to thier
provinces through provincia ordinance.
2012
Rep. Teddy Casiño, together with other congressmen filed a bill pushing for the mandatory
labelling of GM food and food products.
There is no Philippines Biosafety law, only biosafety regulations formed under NBF.
A study on the biosafety regulations of the Philippines concluded that the existing regulation is
weak, which can be fixed through legislation such as a republic Act(Richmond,2006).
December, 2015
The supreme Court ordered to put an end to the field testing of GMO Bt eggplant and declared
Administrative Order No. 8 series of 2002 of the department of Agriculture as null and void. This
means any actions related to GMO importation and propagation os temporarily put on stop until a
new administrative order is issued in accordance with the law.
March 7, 2016
Five Government Agencies who passed a Joint Department Circular No. 1 series of
2016
Department of Science and Technology
Department of Agriculture
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department of health
Department of Interior and Local Government.
The joint Department Circular No.1 series of 2016 on rules and regulations for the
research and development, handling and use, transboundary movement, release in the
environent, and management of the genetically modified plants and plants products
derived fro the use of modern biotechnology.