Position Paper on Scientific Issues: Gmo
GMO: Friend or Foe?
Introduction
What is it? First of all, what is a GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism? Put simply, a GMO is an organism that has been genetically modified to improve its ability to grow in environments that it is not native to, resist pests without having to spray pesticides, tolerate extreme weather conditions, produce more food (such as milk in cows), or show other desired traits. GMOs are produced through a technique which is generally known as recombinant DNA technology. In this technique DNA molecules from varies sources are combined into one molecule to create a completely new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, which gives it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, on the other hand, which are a different kind of GMO, are organisms that have DNA inserted into their genes from a different species. This process requires just three main components: the gene that is going to be transferred, the organism into which that gene is going to be transferred (this organism is known as the target species), and a vector to carry the into the target species’ cells. The gene to be transferred must be cut out and isolated from the original organism. This is usually done by restriction enzymes, which are like molecular scissors, which recognize specific sequences in the DNA and cut it out of those places. This technology has many advantages. Through the use of GMOs more food could be produced for less many, thus lowering the cost to the consumer without lowering the profits of the farmers. Essential nutrients could be implanted into important, everyday foods such as rice or corn. Not to mention that with insect resistant crops, not only is more of the crop saved, but fewer pesticides have to be sprayed. Sounds great right? So, what’s the problem? The problem is that this relatively new technology is still being tested, and in fact some problems have occurred as a result of these GMOs. In the United States it is not
Introduction
What is it? First of all, what is a GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism? Put simply, a GMO is an organism that has been genetically modified to improve its ability to grow in environments that it is not native to, resist pests without having to spray pesticides, tolerate extreme weather conditions, produce more food (such as milk in cows), or show other desired traits. GMOs are produced through a technique which is generally known as recombinant DNA technology. In this technique DNA molecules from varies sources are combined into one molecule to create a completely new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, which gives it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, on the other hand, which are a different kind of GMO, are organisms that have DNA inserted into their genes from a different species. This process requires just three main components: the gene that is going to be transferred, the organism into which that gene is going to be transferred (this organism is known as the target species), and a vector to carry the into the target species’ cells. The gene to be transferred must be cut out and isolated from the original organism. This is usually done by restriction enzymes, which are like molecular scissors, which recognize specific sequences in the DNA and cut it out of those places. This technology has many advantages. Through the use of GMOs more food could be produced for less many, thus lowering the cost to the consumer without lowering the profits of the farmers. Essential nutrients could be implanted into important, everyday foods such as rice or corn. Not to mention that with insect resistant crops, not only is more of the crop saved, but fewer pesticides have to be sprayed. Sounds great right? So, what’s the problem? The problem is that this relatively new technology is still being tested, and in fact some problems have occurred as a result of these GMOs. In the United States it is not
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