What are GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)?

Summary

This script delves into genetically modified organisms (GMOs), addressing common misconceptions and explaining their prevalence in modern agriculture. It outlines the process of creating GMOs, from gene identification to regulatory approval, using Bt corn as a case study. The video dispels 'frankenfood' myths, highlighting the precision and safety of genetic engineering, and discusses the technology's potential to combat food insecurity amidst climate change, while acknowledging the ongoing debate surrounding its social and economic implications.

Takeaways

• 🧬 Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are life forms with altered DNA, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• 🛑 Public perception of GMOs is often negative, associated with science fiction and fear, despite their widespread use in products like insulin, cheese, and vaccines.
• 🌱 GMOs are grown across 185 million hectares in 26 countries, representing about 12% of global cropland, with common GM crops including soybean, corn, cotton, and various fruits.
• 🔬 'Genetically modified' can be misleading, as all cultivated crops have been genetically altered from their wild ancestors through artificial selection.
• 🚫 Limitations of traditional breeding include the inability to transfer genes between distantly related species and the introduction of undesired traits.
• ⏱ Traditional breeding is a lengthy process, taking years to develop new crop varieties, especially for species with long growth cycles.
• 🔄 Genetic engineering allows for precise gene transfer between organisms of different species, overcoming the limitations of traditional breeding.
• 🌽 Bt corn is an example of a GM crop engineered to produce a protein toxic to insects, reducing the need for pesticides and protecting crop yields.
• 🛠️ Creating a GM crop involves identifying the desired trait, copying the gene, inserting it into the recipient plant's DNA, and growing and testing the modified plants.
• 🔬 GM crops undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety, nutritional equivalence, and lack of adverse effects before being approved for commercial release.
• 🌐 The debate around GMOs extends beyond their safety to include concerns about corporate control over food supply, environmental impact, and the implications for global food security.

Q & A

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

A GMO is any life form, including plants, animals, or microorganisms, that has had its DNA altered through genetic engineering techniques.

Why do some people have objections to GMOs in food?

Some people object to GMOs in food due to concerns about potential health risks, environmental impact, and the ethical implications of altering an organism's natural genetic makeup.

How many countries grow genetically modified crops, and what percentage of global cropland do they occupy?

Genetically modified crops are grown in 26 countries, which is approximately 12% of the global cropland.

What are some of the common GM crops produced worldwide?

Common GM crops include soybean, corn, cotton, alfalfa, canola, apples, papaya, potatoes, summer squash, sugar beets, and pineapple.

What is the difference between artificial selection and genetic engineering in terms of plant breeding?

Artificial selection involves breeding plants with desirable traits from closely related species, while genetic engineering allows for the transfer of specific genes across different species and offers more precision and control over the process.

Why is genetic engineering considered more precise and quicker than traditional breeding methods?

Genetic engineering is more precise because it allows for the transfer of specific genes and can be tracked to their exact location in the genome. It is quicker because it bypasses the lengthy process of traditional crossbreeding and waiting for plants to mature.

What is the process of creating a genetically modified plant?

The process includes identifying the desired trait and gene, making copies of the gene, inserting the gene into the recipient plant's DNA, and growing the GM plants.

Can you explain the role of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in genetically modified crops?

Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium that produces a protein toxic to insects. In GM crops like Bt corn, the Bt gene is inserted into the plant's DNA, enabling the plant to produce the insecticidal protein, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

What is a vector in the context of genetic engineering, and how is it used?

A vector is a vehicle used to carry a foreign gene into a plant cell. The most common vector is Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which naturally transfers DNA to plant cells and can be modified to include the desired gene.

What is the purpose of the Ti plasmid in the Agrobacterium vector?

The Ti plasmid is a piece of DNA in Agrobacterium that is transferred to plant cells during infection. Scientists modify this plasmid to include the desired gene, which is then inserted into the plant's DNA as part of the T-DNA region.

What are the regulatory steps involved in the commercial release of a GM crop?

Before commercial release, GM crops must undergo rigorous testing to ensure the transgene is correctly inserted, functioning as intended, and causing no adverse effects. Scientists then submit safety data to regulatory agencies for approval, demonstrating that the crop is safe for consumption and the environment.

How have GM crops been utilized in addressing specific agricultural challenges?

GM crops have been engineered to be resistant to viruses, such as in the case of papaya, and to produce bacterial toxins that kill insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides. Some crops have also been modified to withstand herbicides, allowing for more efficient weed control.

What is the nutritional comparison between GM crops and traditionally bred varieties?

GM food crops that are commercially available have been tested and shown to be nutritionally identical to traditionally bred varieties, except in cases where the introduced trait is specifically a nutritional one, such as golden rice, which has higher levels of vitamin A precursor.

What are some of the social and economic concerns surrounding GM crops?

Concerns about GM crops extend beyond their impact on health and the environment to include social and economic factors, such as the control exerted by companies that develop and sell these crops, and the implications for global food security and agriculture.

Outlines

00:00

🧬 Understanding GMOs and Their Role in Modern Agriculture

This paragraph introduces genetically modified organisms (GMOs), explaining that they are life forms with altered DNA. It dispels myths by highlighting everyday products like insulin, cheese, and vaccines that are a result of genetic engineering. The paragraph also addresses the controversy surrounding GMOs in food, particularly plants, and the dichotomy in public opinion. It provides statistics on the global cultivation of GM crops and mentions the types of GM crops produced. The paragraph further clarifies the concept of 'genetic modification' by comparing it with the historical practice of artificial selection in agriculture, pointing out the limitations of traditional breeding methods and the advent of genetic engineering as a more precise alternative.

05:03

🌱 The Process and Impact of Genetic Engineering in Crops

This paragraph delves into the specifics of creating genetically modified crops, outlining the four main steps involved in the process: identifying the desired trait and gene, copying the gene, inserting it into the recipient plant's DNA, and growing the GM plants. It uses Bt corn as a case study to illustrate how genetic engineering can combat insect pests without the need for harmful pesticides. The paragraph explains the use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector for gene insertion and the alternative gene gun method. It describes the process of tissue culture and the subsequent testing and regulatory approval required for GM crops. The paragraph concludes by discussing the benefits of GM crops, such as disease resistance and reduced pesticide use, and addresses common concerns related to health, environment, and socio-economic factors, emphasizing the safety record and nutritional equivalence of GM crops to traditionally bred varieties.

Keywords

💡Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

A GMO refers to any life form, including plants, animals, or microorganisms, whose DNA has been altered to exhibit certain traits. This term is central to the video's theme, as it discusses the impact and applications of GMOs in our daily lives. For instance, the script mentions that we've genetically modified bacteria to produce insulin, a life-saving hormone.

💡Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology. It is a key concept in the video, illustrating how specific genes can be transferred across different species to create GMOs. The script uses the example of Bt corn, which has a gene from the Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria to produce a protein toxic to insects, reducing the need for pesticides.

💡Artificial Selection

Artificial selection is the process by which humans selectively breed plants and animals for certain desirable traits. The video explains that this process has been used for thousands of years to develop modern crops from their wild ancestors, such as how maize evolved from the Teosinte plant.

💡Cisgenics

Cisgenics involves the transfer of genes within the same species. The video mentions this term to contrast it with transgenics, where genes are transferred across different species. Cisgenics is used to highlight the precision of genetic engineering techniques.

💡Transgenics

Transgenics is the process of transferring genes from one species to another, often used in GMOs. The video uses this term to describe how GM crops are created, such as inserting a human gene into bacteria to produce insulin or a Bt gene into corn to protect it from pests.

💡Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a bacterium used as a vector in genetic engineering to transfer foreign DNA into plant cells. The video explains its natural ability to cause crown gall disease in plants by inserting its DNA, which scientists utilize to create GMOs, such as the process of inserting the Bt gene into corn.

💡Ti Plasmid

The Ti plasmid is a piece of DNA found in Agrobacterium tumefaciens that can be modified to include desired genes for transfer into plant cells. The video describes how scientists modify this plasmid to add the Bt gene, which is then used to create Bt corn.

💡Gene Gun

A gene gun is a device used to insert DNA into cells by coating metal particles with the gene of interest and bombarding the cells. The video mentions this as an alternative method to Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, noting it is less specific but still a part of the GMO creation process.

💡Tissue Culture

Tissue culture is a technique used to grow plant cells or tissues in a controlled environment, often used in genetic engineering to regenerate plants from genetically modified cells. The video describes how calli, or clumps of plant cells, are grown into full plants in this way after the insertion of foreign genes.

💡Regulatory Agencies

Regulatory agencies are organizations responsible for overseeing the safety and approval of GMOs. The video lists several U.S. agencies such as the EPA, USDA, FDA, and APHIS, emphasizing the rigorous testing and approval process that newly created GMOs must undergo before commercial release.

💡Golden Rice

Golden Rice is a genetically modified variety of rice that contains higher levels of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. The video uses this as an example of a GMO designed to improve nutritional content, highlighting the potential of GMOs to address malnutrition.

Highlights

GMOs are life forms with altered DNA, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Common misconceptions about GMOs are dispelled by their widespread use in medicine and food production.

GM crops are grown across 185 million hectares in 26 countries, representing 12% of global cropland.

The term 'genetically modified' may be misleading, as all cultivated crops have been genetically altered over time.

Traditional plant breeding methods are limited by the inability to transfer genes across distant species.

Genetic engineering allows for precise gene transfer between organisms of different species.

Genes are the functional units of heredity, containing instructions for proteins and enzymes essential for life.

The process of creating a GM crop involves identifying desired traits, gene replication, insertion, and cultivation.

Bt corn is an example of a GM crop engineered to produce a protein toxic to insects, reducing the need for pesticides.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used as a vector to insert foreign genes into plant DNA.

Gene guns offer an alternative method for DNA insertion, though less specific than the Agrobacterium method.

GM plants undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety, functionality, and absence of undesirable effects.

Regulatory approval in the USA involves agencies such as the EPA, USDA, FDA, and APHIS.

GM crops are proven to be nutritionally similar to traditionally bred crops, with some having enhanced nutritional traits.

GM crops have been consumed for nearly 30 years without showing credible adverse effects on health.

Concerns about GM crops extend beyond health and environment to social and economic factors, including corporate control over food.

The debate on GM crops is complex, involving considerations of agriculture's role in feeding a world challenged by climate change.

Transcripts

A genetically modified organism or GMO is any life form—a plant, animal, or microbe—that

has had its DNA changed.

When people hear this term, alarm bells often ring in their head as it fills with thoughts

of science fiction monsters.

However, GMOs are all around us.

We’ve genetically modified bacteria to secrete life-saving insulin, while cheese and vaccines

are also products of genetic engineering.

When it comes to most of these applications, we don’t bat an eye, but when it comes to

our food, specifically the plants we eat, people have some serious objections.

The debate swings between: GMOs could either save humanity or be the reason for global

food insecurity.

We grow GM crops on nearly 185 million hectares in 26 countries, including 19 developing countries.

That’s roughly 12% of the global cropland.

We regularly produce GM soybean, corn, cotton, alfalfa, canola, apples, papaya, potatoes,

summer squash, sugar beets, and pineapple.

But what does it mean for a plant to be a GMO?

In some ways, “genetically modified” is a misnomer, and also quite vague, revealing

little about what genetics have been modified.

All the food you eat today, be it rice, corn or watermelons, are not what they were when

humans first started farming 10,000 years ago.

Corn, or maize, originated from the weed-like Teosinte, whereas watermelons used to be white

and unappetizing.

We have our modern crops because earlier humans manipulated plant genetics.

We simply grew seeds from plants that had a desirable trait, such as more kernels, or

it grew quicker or was sweeter.

Plant breeders around the world still follow a similar process, but now they’re equipped

with knowledge about DNA and plant genetics.

This is why we have so many different varieties of vegetables.

This is called artificial selection, but there are a few limitations to this approach.

First of all, breeders can only transfer genes between closely related species.

Thus, if the required trait is not present in the same or a closely related species,

it cannot be introduced.

Second, in traditional breeding, there is no control over how many genes from the donor

plant will be introduced, leading to undesirable traits.

Third, traditional breeding takes a very long time.

The breeders must cross the varieties, grow them out, harvest seeds, and repeat the cycle

multiple times.

This can take years, especially for species such as apples or conifers, which take many

years to bear fruit.

Then, around the mid-20th century, new technologies arrived with which we could make more precise

changes in the DNA of any organism.

This was the birth of genetic engineering.

With genetic engineering, you can move a specific gene from one organism to another, even if

they belong to different species.

A gene is a functional unit of heredity.

This means that we inherit genes from our parents and our kids inherit our genes.

Genes contain instructions for the proteins and enzymes that make sure we are able to

carry out all our functions, such as breathing, eating, digesting and so on.

When we transfer a gene within the same species, it is called cisgenics.

However, with genetic engineering, you can also take a gene from a human, for example,

and insert it into a bacteria.

This is how bacteria can produce insulin.

This type of interspecies gene transfer is called transgenics.

And GM crops are transgenics.

Now, creating a GM crop is a long process that can take several years, but it can be

summarized into four broad steps.

First, we need to identify what trait to add into the recipient plant and the gene that

gives an organism that desired trait.

Second, we need to make copies of the gene from the organism that has the desired trait.

Third, we insert that gene into the DNA of the recipient plant.

Fourth, we grow GM plants.

To explain this process in a bit more detail, let’s take the specific example of Bt corn,

one of the world’s most widely grown GM crops.

If you want to skip the technical bits, you can jump ahead to the time stamp on the screen.

Insect pests are a huge concern for farmers.

They eat crops and significantly lower yields.

Insecticides kill the insects, but have harmful side effects for both humans and the environment.

But what if you didn’t have to use pesticides and could still prevent pests from harming

your crop?

Scientists on the lookout for a solution found one in a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis

(Bt).

The bacteria produces a protein that’s toxic to insects.

Farmers often spray the bacteria on fields as an organic pesticide, but it isn’t very

effective.

Now, what if a corn plant could produce the Bt protein on its own?

From the bacteria, you could isolate the particular gene that is a blueprint for making the protein.

Then, you would make copies of the Bt gene and insert it into the plant’s DNA.

To insert a foreign gene into the plant, you’ll need a vehicle, so to speak, with a special

entry pass that can carry the gene into the plant.

This vehicle is called a vector.

The most commonly used vector is a bacterium called Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

The bacterium is commonly found in soil and it causes a disease called crown gall disease

in plants.

It does this by inserting a piece of its DNA into the plant’s cells!

It essentially makes a GMO for its own uses.

This bacterium has a piece of DNA known as a Ti plasmid.

The bacteria sends this Ti plasmid into the plant cells by making a tunnel into the plant's

cells.

Within this plasmid is a small portion called T-DNA.

This T-DNA will insert itself into the plant cell’s DNA and become a part of the plant’s

DNA.

Scientists can modify this Ti plasmid.

They use enzymes, the molecular versions of scissors and glue, to redesign the T-DNA to

add the Bt gene.

Additionally, you could also use a ‘gene gun’ to insert the piece of DNA into the

plant cell.

When using a gene gun, heavy metal particles are coated with the gene of interest and bombarded

on the cell using mechanical force.

This process is less specific than the Agrobacterium method.

In the former approach, you introduce the vector into Agrobacterium using a gentle electrical

pulse.

Agrobacterium will infect corn embryo cells.

The corn cells are grown under tissue culture conditions to form a blob of corn cells, called

a callus.

These calli are dipped in the Agrobacterium solution to allow the bacteria to infect the

cells.

After a few weeks, you transfer the surviving corn calli to a new medium with specific hormones

that ensure that the calli will regenerate into tiny plants with roots and shoots.

When these tiny plants are strong enough, they are transferred to soil in pots and grown

in a greenhouse.

However, you’re not done yet!

— These newly transformed plants will need to

undergo rigorous testing to ensure that the transgene has been inserted in the right place,

that it’s doing what it is supposed to do, and that there are no unexpected or undesirable

effects in the plant.

It is only after several years of safety data have been collected that scientists can approach

regulatory agencies, such as the EPA, USDA, FDA, and APHIS in the USA, to get approval

for commercial release.

Part of getting regulation is proving that the modified crop won’t cause any allergic

reactions, and that it is nutritionally similar to a traditional crop.

— The media often labels GM crops as frankenfood,

but the technology comes from a bacteria that performs such genetic manipulation in nature

all the time.

Breeders typically only introduce 2-3 genes through Agrobacterium-mediated genetic engineering.

They are also able to track the exact location in the genome where the new gene is introduced.

This makes genetic engineering more precise and quicker than traditional breeding.

So far, we’ve modified papaya to be immune against the virus that infects papaya.

We’ve engineered cash crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton to produce a bacterial

toxin that can kill insect pests, which means less pesticide use.

And we’ve engineered other cash crops to not die from herbicides, so they only kill

weeds.

Most GM crops are used to feed animals in the meat and dairy industry, or used in packaged

and ultra-processed foods like cereal or chips, or in the case of GM cotton, in the textile

industry.

GM food crops that are commercially available have been tested and shown to be nutritionally

identical to traditionally bred varieties, except when the introduced trait is a nutrition

trait, as in the case of golden rice, which produces higher levels of a precursor of vitamin

A. GM crops have been around for almost 30 years with no credible adverse effects shown

in humans or animals.

That said, concerns about GM crops are related to health, the environment, and largely center

on social and economic factors.

How much control will the companies that develop and sell these crops have on our food?

Those are questions that go beyond GM crops into the state of agriculture today and its

potential future to feed a world, especially considering the climate change crisis.

Check out the description below for a list of resources on GM crops and the ongoing debate

surrounding this hot button issue.