Abstract on GMO - Genetically Modified Organisms
- 1. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Organisms and Recombinant DNA Technology - Abstract Submitted by Rutvik Bapat. - On Genetic Engineering. Introduction: Transgenic Crops are crops that have received a gene or a set of genes from another species through genetic engineering. This process is achieved by Horizontal Gene Transfer. Unlike Vertical Gene Transfer which is very much known gene transfer by almost everyone where the traits are passed by the parents to the child, Horizontal Gene Transfer occurs when genes are transferred from one organism to another. The First recombinant drug approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) was Humulin (human insulin produced by bacteria). E Coli (bacteria) is used for such purposes as it replicates every 20 minutes. Thus, the gene incorporated in the Bacteria is also replicated. This helps the scientists to produce the drug with the help of the E Coli – A bacteria which doesn’t require much maintenance. Applications: Some Benefits of genetic engineering is increase in crop yields, reduced cost for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition crop yields, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security and medical benefits to the world’s growing population. Soybean was genetically engineered for herbicide tolerance. Corn was genetically engineered for resistance to insect pests, specifically the European corn borer, through expression of the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plum became resistant to plum pox virus conferred by insertion of a coat protein (CP) gene from the virus. In the United States, 93 % of cotton, 85% of Cotton, 91% of soybeans grown were genetically engineered in 2013. Cows have been engineered to produce more protein and to resist diseases like Mastitis. Transgenics is also used as biological factories for producing rare or valuable materials. One Example is ‘Pharming’ which uses crops and animals as bioreactors to produce vaccines or drugs. References: Theresa Philips Lectures by - Raymond J. St. Leger, Tammatha O'Brien from University of Maryland, College Park