Detection of Genetically Modified Maize in from Commonly Available Corn Food Product
Biology 3210 Laboratory
Lab Report 1
Detection of genetically modified maize in from commonly available corn food product
Introduction A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism which has had its genome modified by the addition of genetic material from another species (Steynen, 2012). There are many debates surrounding genetically modified organisms on both personal levels, global levels and anywhere in between. There are issues on whether food produced with GMOs is safe, if it is ethical and if and how theses food products should be labeled. There are also several issues involving patent rights and intellectual property, which span the world from Canada to Brazil to India. Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser is just one recent example in 2004. Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology company sued a farmer for patent infringement when refused to pay a licencing fee when the seed he harvested was found to Roundup-resistant. The round-up resistant gene was both developed and patented by Monsanto.
The objective of this experiment is to isolate the DNA from commonly available corn (Zea mays Zea saccharata or Zea rugosa,) products and test for evidence of genetic modification. This experiment will proceed in three steps: PCR, isolation and visualization.
PCR or polymerase chain reaction was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 and can amplify one or several strands or sections of DNA to millions or even billions in a matter of hours. PCR involves a DNA sample, primers, polymerases, DNA nucleotides, a buffer and a thermocycler. The primers are complementary region to certain stretches of DNA. They mark the boarders of the DNA region one wishes to amplify and provide a place for a polymerase to bind. The standard DNA polymerase now used in PCR is isolated from Thermus aquaticus. T. aquaticus is found in hot springs and provides a heat stable polymerase that can withstand high temperature PCR conditions. This enzyme has been modified for higher
Lab Report 1
Detection of genetically modified maize in from commonly available corn food product
Introduction A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism which has had its genome modified by the addition of genetic material from another species (Steynen, 2012). There are many debates surrounding genetically modified organisms on both personal levels, global levels and anywhere in between. There are issues on whether food produced with GMOs is safe, if it is ethical and if and how theses food products should be labeled. There are also several issues involving patent rights and intellectual property, which span the world from Canada to Brazil to India. Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser is just one recent example in 2004. Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology company sued a farmer for patent infringement when refused to pay a licencing fee when the seed he harvested was found to Roundup-resistant. The round-up resistant gene was both developed and patented by Monsanto.
The objective of this experiment is to isolate the DNA from commonly available corn (Zea mays Zea saccharata or Zea rugosa,) products and test for evidence of genetic modification. This experiment will proceed in three steps: PCR, isolation and visualization.
PCR or polymerase chain reaction was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 and can amplify one or several strands or sections of DNA to millions or even billions in a matter of hours. PCR involves a DNA sample, primers, polymerases, DNA nucleotides, a buffer and a thermocycler. The primers are complementary region to certain stretches of DNA. They mark the boarders of the DNA region one wishes to amplify and provide a place for a polymerase to bind. The standard DNA polymerase now used in PCR is isolated from Thermus aquaticus. T. aquaticus is found in hot springs and provides a heat stable polymerase that can withstand high temperature PCR conditions. This enzyme has been modified for higher