bio 4F

Question 1

what is genetic engineering

Answer 1

the process of using biotechnology to alter the genome of an organism

Question 2

what are genetic engineering technologies

Answer 2

the artificial alteration of an organism’s genome via the exchange of foreign genetic material through the use of a transfer vector (e.g. plasmid)

Question 3

what are the types of GMOs

Answer 3

cisgenic organisms: GMOs that have genes from the same species inserted into its genome (involves the transfer of genes that could otherwise be bred sexually)
transgenic organisms: GMOs that contain foreign genetic information from a separate species (this process, known as transgenesis, results in an organism that contains foreign DNA transplanted from a separate species.

Question 4

what is the process of producing transgenic plants

Answer 4

1. Gene identification: the gene of interest is identified and isolated
2. gene delivery: isolated gene of interest must be delivered to the cell of the host organism (either via direct insertion into the genome of the plant itself or through the use of a bacterial plasmid that is able to successfully transfer the DNA between itself and the plant
3. gene expression: the transformed gene is then growth repeatedly using plant tissue cultures under sterile conditions before being applied in the field for agricultural use.

Question 5

what is a similarity of transgenic and cisgenic organisms?

Answer 5

they both use genetic engineering technology

Question 6

what are differences between transgenic and cisgenic organisms

Answer 6

cisgenic organisms are GMOs that have genes from the same species inserted into its genome whereas transgenic organisms are GMOs that contain foreign genetic information from a separate species

Question 7

what is one use of GMOs in agriculture (1)

Answer 7

increase crop productivity: as the population and demand for food grows, more efficient crop production must be utilised (especially as the amount of viable farming land decreases)

Question 8

what is another use of GMOs in agriculture (2)

Answer 8

increase disease-resistance of the crop: by developing crops that are less impacted by harmful plant pathogens, global food security increases as crop destruction is minimised

Question 9

biological pros and cons of GMOs

Answer 9

Pros
- GM crops tend to have higher crop productivity (more food grown using less land)
- end to be more disease-resistant (more efficient)
- Tend to have improved nutritional content (improves health)
- Require fewer pesticides (better for environment)

Cons
- Lose their effectiveness if weeds or pests evolve to resist
- Widespread use of GM crops could result in a loss of genetic diversity within crop populations
- Cross-pollination between GM crops and wild species may cause genes to spread and lead to unforeseen consequences

Question 10

social pros and cons of GMOs

Answer 10

Pros
- Higher crop productivity (better food security)
- Crops are able to grow in more adverse conditions (improve food security)
- Herbicide-tolerant crops decrease labour demands (farmers do not need to pull weeds by hand, but can use chemicals to kill specific weeds)
- Increased crops yields result in larger profits

Cons
- Complex legal issues surrounding the use of GM products can cause farmers to be stressed and anxious about the regulations
- May have to buy new seeds each season (costly for farmers)

Question 11

ethical pros and cons of GMOs

Answer 11

Pros
- Some people believe that using genetic modification gives the potential for widespread benefit (e.g. nutrition, wealth, overall health, food security)

Cons
- GMOs can be seen as unnatural, like we are ‘playing God’
- GMOs can be seen as unsafe to eat (can be due to a lack of long-term evidence of healthy use)
- GM animals created for human benefit (consumption) can be seen as inhumane
- Companies can own the rights to certain GM crops and this can mean that farmers cannot reuse the seeds and must buy costly new seed supplies each year from those large companies