• Genetically Modified Organisms

(GMOs) are organisms whose

genetic material has been altered
using genetic engineering
techniques. This does not occur
naturally through mating or natural
recombination.
• ROSALIE
ELLASUS- In
2001, former
overseas
FIlipino worker
• - from 4.2 tons
to 7.2 ton per
• Jack Williamson
- author of the science
fiction novel Dragon’s
Island
- coined the term
genetic engineering in
1951
NON GMO vs. GMO
PRODUCTS
- Each fruit has a 4 or 5 digit Price -
Look-Up (or PLU) code – given
based on how it was grown.
- Produce that’s conventionally
grown will have a 4-digit PLU
code, which generally begins with a
3 or 4.
- Organically grown produce will
have a 5-digit code which begins
with a 9.
- Genetically modified produce has
a 5-digit code also, but the first
number is an 8.
Sample of common foods with GMO
 GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries

Center for Ecogenetics and ENvironmental Health (ceeh) identified

the following roles of GMOs in food and agricultural industries.

Pest resistance- genetically modified plants

to resist certain pest.
• - Pest Resistance: Bt
corn to combat pests
• - modified the gene
of Bacillus
thuringiensis
Virus resistance- genetically modified plants to resist
certain viruses.
• - Virus Resistance:
Rainbow papaya
against papaya
ringspot virus.
• - Protein of PRSV
(Papaya Ringspot
Virus)
 Herbicide tolerance- genetically modified plants to tolerate
herbicide.
• Roundup Ready Soybeans (RR
soybeans) are genetically engineered
soybeans that have had their DNA
altered to allow them to withstand the
herbicide glyphosate. They are also
known as "glyphosate tolerant"
soybeans. RR Soybeans were first
planted
• Commercially in 1996. When planting
RR soybeans, a farmer can spray the
entire crop with glyphosate, killing only
 Fortification- genetically modified plants fortified with certain minerals.

• Roundup Ready Soybeans (RR

soybeans) are genetically engineered
soybeans that have had their DNA
altered to allow them to withstand the
herbicide glyphosate. They are also
known as "glyphosate tolerant"
soybeans. RR Soybeans were first
planted
• Commercially in 1996. When planting
RR soybeans, a farmer can spray the
entire crop with glyphosate, killing only
Cosmetic preservation- genetically modified plants to resist natural discoloration.

• Artic Apple. The

apple variety was
genetically
modified to surpass
the browning of the
apple due to
superficial damage
GMOs in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms

• - Paper Production: Modified

poplar trees for higher paper yield.
• - Bioremediation: Shrub tobacco
for polluted site cleanup.
 Pharmaceutical Production: Periwinkle plants producing enhanced alkaloids.

Periwinkle plants. Bacterial genes were

added to the periwinkle plant, enabling it to
attach halogens such as chlorine or bromine
to a class of compounds called alkaloids
that the plant normally produces. Many
alkaloids have pharmaceutical properties,
and halogens, which are often added to
antibiotics and other drugs, can make
medicines more effective or last longer in
the body.
 Medical Applications: Humulin, genetically engineered insulin for diabetes.

Humulin, the genetically engineered

insulin used by type I diabetes patients
who are insulin-dependent. The gene for
insulin was inserted to bacterial DNA that
was able to produce almost exactly the
same human insulin. This was a
breakthrough in the mass production of
human insulin. In 1996, modified human
insulin was approved, called Humalog
Benefits of GMOs

• - Increased agricultural yield.

• - Reduced pesticide use.
• - Enhanced nutritional value.
• - Support for pharmaceutical
advancements.
• - Applications in environmental
cleanup.
Potential Risks of GMOs

• - Gene flow to non-GMO crops.

• - Development of resistant pests and
weeds.
• - Potential new pathogens.
• - Loss of biodiversity.
• - Ethical concerns: 'Playing God' fears.
Potential Environmental Risks

• - Impact on biodiversity: Threats to non-

target species.
• - Risk of invasive species displacing
native flora and fauna.
• - Overuse of herbicides leading to
resistant weeds.
Potential Human Health Risks

• - Allergic reactions to new proteins.

• - Antibiotic resistance.
• - Reduced nutritional quality.
• - Concerns about long-term health
effects.
HGP (HUMAN GENOME PROJECT)

The Human Genome Project (HGP) is one of the greatest

scientific feats in history. The project was a voyage of
biological discovery led by an international group of
researchers looking to comprehensively study all of the
DNA (known as a genome) of a select set of organisms.
Launched in October 1990 and completed in April 2003, the
Human Genome Project’s signature accomplishment –
generating the first sequence of the human genome –
provided fundamental information about the human
blueprint, which has since accelerated the study of human
biology and improved the practice of medicine.
CLONING

The asexual reproduction of an

organism using parent cell through
genetic engineering. In February 24,
1997, Dolly, the first mammal- a sheep
from Scotland was born through
cloning.
Biosafety on GMOs

1. The C O D E X ALIMENTARIUS
(CODEX) - international food standards, guidelines
and codes of practice contribute to the safety, quality
and fairness of this international food trade.
Consumers can trust the safety and quality of the
food products they buy and importers can trust that
the food they ordered will be in accordance with
their specifications.
Biosafety on GMOs

2. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an
international agreement which aims to ensure the
safe handling, transport and use of living modified
organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on
biological diversity, taking also into account risks to
human health. It was adopted on 29 January 2000
and entered into force on 11 September 2003.
Biosafety on GMOs

2. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an
international agreement which aims to ensure the
safe handling, transport and use of living modified
organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on
biological diversity, taking also into account risks to
human health. It was adopted on 29 January 2000
and entered into force on 11 September 2003.
GMOs in the Philippine Context

• - Bt Corn: Increased yields and reduced

pesticide use.
• - Golden Rice: Addresses vitamin A
deficiency.
• - Regulatory Framework: Biosafety laws
and ethical considerations.
• - Stakeholder involvement in decision-
making.