2. A food that has been genetically enhanced
through molecular biology
3. Taking a desired genetic trait out of a donor
organism and putting it into a food in order
for that food to show the desired trait
4. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Enhances desired traits Human health risks
Pest resistance o Unfamiliar foreign proteins=
Improve nutritional allergic reactions
content Genes resistant to
Less time than controlled antibiotics =dangerous
breeding disease transmitable to
Improves accuracy humans
Herbicide tolerance Environmental hazards
Cold tolerance Economic concerns
Pharmaceuticals
5. 1. Develop a problem
2. Identify a gene that produces a genetic trait of
interest to solve this problem
3. Find a donor organism
4. Separate the gene from the rest of the
genetic material of the donor
5. Use gene gun or electricity to break through
the cell wall and inject this gene into a food in
order for it to show that trait
7. What is it?
Corn that has been genetically
modified to be resistant to insect
larvae
8. Steps of engineering corn
1. Identify that corn crop productions are being
damaged by insect larvae.
2. Conclude that the bacterium bacillus
thuringiensis produces a protein that kills
Lepidoptera larvae.
3. Harvest this gene from the bacterium by
separating it from the rest of the genetic
material of the donor.
4. Inject removed gene into the cell wall of a corn
cell.
5. The food then shows that trait.
9. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Corn production is higher Pollen kills butterflies
Reduces need for Kills microorganisms in
insecticide soil- threatens food web
creation of superpests
10. Economic sanctions threaten entire free
trade system
Reduce production costs due to reduced
chemical and mechanical needs in
planting, maintenance, and harvest
11. Solve world hunger
Eliminate use of pesticides and
herbicides
12. Check the label of what you are buying!!
It is not a requirement for genetically modified foods
to be labeled but some do say they have been
modified, so look at the label!
13. 70 - 75 % of U.S. food is genetically modified
Leading producers of genetically modified
crops
1. United States – 74%
2. Argentina – 15%
3. Canada – 10%
14. Still don’t understand genetic engineering?
Then check out this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTfuAbzAe
B8&feature=related
