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Genetically Modified Salmon

By Les Blumenthal | McClatchy Newspapers

Genetically Modified Food

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are organisms whose DNA has been altered to include an additional gene, or genes, from another organism to give that altered organism a desired characteristic. Many different modified plants have been created including: genetically altered corn, soybeans, tomatoes, rice, potatoes, and wheat, to name a few. Not surprisingly, GMOs are present in many products available on supermarket shelves and produce bins today. Many people do not realize they are eating GMOs everyday.

Creation Of GMOs

GMOs are usually generated using recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant DNA technology is a process which allows scientists to combine genetic material artificially from one or more organisms. Scientists must first isolate the gene(s) they would like to add to the plant. They then create a circular piece of DNA that contains this gene, along with other DNA sequences necessary to express the gene. Once this DNA, known as a plasmid, is created, it is ready to be inserted into the plant.

The most common way to engineer a plant is to use Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a bacterium which causes crown gall disease in plants and insert some of its DNA into the plant genome, including the engineered DNA. The individual plants will then be screened to determine, which have been genetically modified. Scientists will selectively breed the modified plants. While the process may not sound too difficult, it often takes seven to fifteen years to create a new market-ready GMO.

PROS And CONS Of GMO

GMOs have been created for many reasons, including: improved nutrition, drought resistance, pest resistance, improved flavor, and increased shelf-life. Supporters even argue GMOs can help fight world hunger and nutrition deficiencies, prevent erosion, and protect the environment from the use of harmful chemicals. However, those opposed to GMOs are concerned about the adverse health effects these products may have on the consumers who eat them. They question whether these plants are producing allergens and transferring genetic material across species.

They are also concerned about “genetic pollution” of the environment, as some of these GM plants can cross to pollinate with others. In fact, pollen from genetically modified (GM) plants has been found many miles away from GM fields. They are concerned about the effects of genetic pollution on natural plant species and bio diversity. They are also concerned that these plants might speed up the evolutionary process, creating super weeds and super bugs that may have negative impacts on both the GMOs and naturally occurring plants.

Implication Of GMO And Fishing

Recently, the FDA of the US has been asked to approve a genetically modified salmon. This may be a viable response to dwindling fish supply globally. However, it is not known what its impact will be on the ecosystem and current fish populations. Another concern is that in the long run the effects on humans are not certain.

References:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gV1ltlXMsnv0rv_aPCYhoHY8AwYgD9IBNQKO0

http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/09/fish-farming-feeding-future-world.html

October 23, 2010 - Posted by candiemarie1 | New, Science & Technology | Creation of GMOs, Genetically Modified Food, Genetically Modified Salmon, Implication of GMO and Fishing, PROS and CONS of GMO