LESSON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND POLITICS identify issues on genetically modified organisms (GMOs); discuss different implications and impact of GMOs; and create a research paper on the impact of GMOs in the OAT Ellasus, former overseas Filipino worker in farmer, Integrated Pest Managementengineering, t to humankind,The development of GMOs was perceived to help in the advancement of technology for the benefit of humans in different industries like agriculture and medicine, GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries The Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH, 2013) identified the following roles of GMOs in the food and agricultural industries: 1. Pest resistance — genetically modified plants to resist certain pests. An example is Bt Corn. The DNA (genome) of the Bt Cora has been modified with the gene of Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium that produces proteins which is toxic to cor borers (worms). 2. Virus resistance — genetically modified plants to resist certain viruses. ‘An example is GM papaya or rainbow papaya. The papaya tingspot virus (PRSV) is known to be detrimental to papaya plants. The protein of PRSV was introduced to the papaya plant through plant tissue which turned out to be resistant to the virus itself. The effect was like the vaccines humans have against measles or influenza virus. Cchaper 1: Specie Ise in Scene, Teshnolowy and Society @d plants to tolerate soybean. Glyphosate, to soybeans making rs then can spray theExamples are Blue Roses. The so-called "blue" roses, which are, in reality, lilac or purple, contained cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, together with large amounts of flavonols. The introduction of the flavonoid 31, 51-hydroxylase gene into pelargonidin- or cyanidin- producing rose cultivars diverts the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway toward the production of delphinidin glucosides and the flower color to blue (Elomaa & Holton, 1994). 2, Paper production ~ inodified characteristics of trees for higher yield of paper production. Examples are poplar trees. Lignin is a complex polymer in trees that is remoyed from wood to make paper through kraft process, through inserting genes that code for ferulic acid in ‘young poplar trees, the lignin structure is modified, making lignin easier to breakdown (Veniza, 2014). Pharmaceutical productions — modified plants to produce Examples are periwinkle plants. Bacterial genes were added oe periwinkle plant to enhance the production of vinblastine, n i ly added to drugs for cancer treatments like ’sicroorganisms medicines.of pigs and cows that have caused allergic reactions to some diabetics using it. In 1978, researchers from the City of Hope National Medical Center and Genentech Biotechnology Company were able to produce human insulin. The gene for insulin Was inserted to bacterial DNA that was able to produce almost exactly the same human insulin, This was a breakthrough in the mass production of human insulin. In 1996, modified human insulin was approved, called the Humalog. site 11, Humutin, a sample of genetically engineered insulin.— ah a Sa3. Human consumption of GMOs might have the following effects: * More allergic reactions - GMO food may trigger more allergic reactions, more so create new ones, as side effect of the gene alteration. * Gene mutation — GMO food may develop abnormalities and mutation, more than the desired product of the gene alteration. Antibiotic resistance — GMO food contains antibiotic resistant genes; this may cause disease-causing bacteria likely to be more antibiotic-resistant too, increasing the ‘ possibility of widespread of the disease. Nutritional value — GMO food may have change in their nutritional value. | Environmental Risks Caused By GMOs (2006) summarized the perceived potential environmental , GMOs. The identified major risks are the following: in gene flow — there is a potential risk of the modified e to be transferred from the GMO crop to its wild relative or intestine (when ingested). For* consumption of GMOs may have adverse effects since it is nov naturally or organicaliy produced; * consumption of GMOs may alter the balance of existing taicroorganisms in the human digestive system; * — production of toxins may be detrimental to human health; and * production of allergens may have adverse effects on humans. Worldwide, there are many groups that campaign against GMO consumption. They encourage people to boycott GMO products and 4 in checking if the food they buy has GMO ingredients. Philippines, the Supreme Court has ruled against the use of Bt .; another genetically modified crop (Ongkiko, 2016). tential risks that raise major concern are: Human Genome Project (HGP) — Mapping of human genes _ medicine. It was feared that the ability to produce human tic information would create biases and give much power people holding the information and to the disadvantage of hose » who do not have the genetic information.yeess of this quest. in medical process lic debate is its n of nature. The ‘on defiance to environmentCartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Established in 2003, Cartagena Protocol is an international environmental treaty that regulates the transboundary movements of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). ‘ihe Cartagena Protocol requires exporters to seek consent from the importers before its first shipment of LMO« (WHO, 2014). * International Trade Agreement on labeling of GM food and food products. The agreement requires exporters of GM food and food products to label their products and give rights to importing parties to reject or accept the GM products. The premise of this policy is that consumers have the right to know and the freedom to choose GM or non-GM products (Whitman, 2000). _ The World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) claims that all GM s that are available in the international market have passed safety it by national authorities. The safety assessments basically look at ental and health risk factors and food safety usually follows \d Code.and propagation is temporarily put to stop until a new administrative order is issued in accordance with the law, : In March 7, 201 6, five government agencies namely, the De ‘of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Departmeut of Health, and Department of the Interior and Local Government, passed a Joint iment Circular No, 1, series of 2016 on rules and regulations for the ‘research and development, handling and use, transboundary movement, dn the environment, and management of the genetically modified and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology. joint department circular paves way to issuance of new permits for and importing GM crops in the country. jenet engineering is an emerging field of science. Its quests eserve and prolong life. In more than four decades since the lly modified bacteria was produced, thousands of genetically have been created and propagated. Some are approved jovernment authorities for human use and consumption