GMOs AND THEIR IMPACT ON

THE ENVIRONMENT
Made by
NAME - Yashaswini Kotipalli
BA (Hons) English
ROLL NO. 381
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my

EVS professor Miss/Mrs. Kushani Thakur for her
constant support and guidance throughout this
project. Her valuable insights and feedback at
every step helped me greatly in completing my
project successfully.
I would also like to thank my parents for their
unwavering support and encouragement
throughout this journey. Furthermore, I want to
express my appreciation to my friends and
classmates who have helped me a lot in the
completion of this project.
This is to certify that Yashaswini Kotipalli , student of Janki Devi
Memorial College - BA (Hons) English has successfully completed their
EVS Project on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and their impact on
the environment under the guidance of Miss/Mrs. Kushani Thakur.
 CONTENTS
1. Intro to Genetic Engineering
2. Recombinant DNA Technology
3. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
4. PROS of GMOs In Agriculture
5. CONS of GMOs in Agriculture
6. Way Forward
7. PROS of Transgenic Animals
8. CONS of Transgenic Animals
9. Way Forward
10. Case Study
11. Bibliography
 GENETIC ENGINEERING

Genetic engineering (also called genetic

modification) is a process that uses
laboratory-based technologies to alter the
DNA makeup of an organism. This may
involve changing a single base pair (A-T or
C-G), deleting a region of DNA or adding a
new segment of DNA. It refers to methods of
recombinant DNA technology, which
emerged from basic research in microbial
genetics.
 RECOMBINANT DNA
TECHNOLOGY

The recombinant DNA technology/genetic

engineering emerged with the discovery of
restriction enzymes in the year 1968 by Swiss
microbiologist Werner Arber.

Inserting the desired gene into the genome of the

host involves the selection of the desired gene for
administration into the host followed by a
selection of the perfect vector with which the
gene has to be integrated and recombinant DNA
formed.
PROCESS OF RECOMBINANT
DNA TECHNOLOGY

Step 1 - Isolation of Genetic Material

Step 2 - Cutting the gene at the recognition

sites.

Step 3- Amplifying the gene copies through

STEP- 1
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
STEP - 2
STEP 4 - Ligation of DNA Molecules.

STEP 5 - Insertion of Recombinant DNA Into

Host.

STEP - 3
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
Genetically modified organism (GMO), organism
whose genome has been engineered in the
laboratory in order to favour the expression of
desired physiological traits or the generation of
desired biological products.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are
produced using scientific methods that include
recombinant DNA technology and reproductive
cloning.
 PROS GMOs IN
AGRICULTURE
1. BT COTTON

Some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis produce proteins

that kill certain insects. B. thuringiensis forms protein
crystals that contain a toxic insecticidal protein.Why does
this toxin not kill the Bacillus? Actually, the Bt toxin
protein exists as inactive protoxins but once an insect
ingest the inactive toxin, it is converted into an active
form of toxin due to the alkaline pH of the gut which
solubilise the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the
surface of midgut epithelial cells and create pores that
cause cell swelling and lysis and eventually cause death
of the insect. Specific Bt toxin genes were isolated from
Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the several
crop plants such as cotton and corn etc.
2. GOLDEN RICE

Another example of a GM crop is golden rice,was

created by modifying the rice genome to include a
gene from the daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus.
The introduction of these genes enabled
beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in
the human liver, to accumulate in the rice
endosperm.Hence, increasing the amount of
beta-carotene available for vitamin A synthesis in
the body.

3. PEST RESISTANT PLANTS

A nematode Meloidogyne incognita infects the

roots of tobacco plants and causes a great
reduction in yield. A novel strategy was adopted to
prevent this infestation which was based on the
process of RNA interference (RNAi). This method
involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a
complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and
prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing)
CONS OF GMOs IN AGRICULTURE

Increased Herbicide Use: The widespread

cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant crops has
pushed up the use of herbicides such as
glyphosate.

“Superweeds”: The use of specific herbicides with

GM herbicide-tolerant crops has led to the
evolution and spread of “superweeds,” or weeds
that can no longer be killed by those herbicides.
Since 1996, 59 weed species have developed
resistance to the herbicide glyphosate.

“Superpests”: Some insects have developed

resistance to the toxins in GM insect-resistant
(Bt) crops.
Contamination: Contamination from GM plants has
serious ecological, economic and social impacts.
Gene flow from GM crops poses a threat to wild
and weedy crop relatives, non-GM crops and foods,
and organic farming. There have been escape
events in Canada with GM canola, flax, wheat and
pigs.

Biodiversity Loss: The use of some GM crops can

have negative impacts on non-target organisms
and on soil and water ecosystems. For example,
the expansion of GM herbicide-tolerant corn and
soy, which are twinned with herbicides, has
destroyed much of the habitat of the monarch
butterfly in North America.
 WAY FORWARD
1. Biodiversity Mitigation: Conducting 3. Ethical Considerations:
Equitable access to GM technologies, including the
extensive research to understand the
rights to save and exchange seeds to farmers.
ecological impacts of GM mustard on
Implementing policies that protect traditional farming
non-target organisms and Implementing
practices and promoting farmer autonomy in
adaptive management strategies.
decision-making.

2 Food Safety and Human Health: Risk

4. Capacity Building: Strengthening institutional
assessment of the allergenicity and toxicity of
capacity through training regulators, enhancing
novel proteins introduced into the crop. Investing laboratory facilities for testing GM crops, and
in long-term studies to monitor the impacts of improving data collection and analysis capabilities.
GM mustard on food security, including its ● Establishing transparent regulatory frameworks
effects on crop diseases. that incorporate public consultation and
For Example, the successful adoption of Bt stakeholder engagement.

cotton in India.
 PROS OF TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
1. Normal physiology and development: Transgenic animals can
be specifically designed to allow the study of how genes are
IGF- 1
regulated, and how they affect the normal functions of the
body and its development, e.g., study of complex factors
involved in growth such as insulin-like growth factor. By
introducing genes from other species that alter the
formation of this factor and studying the biological effects
that result, information is obtained about the biological role
of the factor in the body.

2. Study of disease: Many transgenic animals are designed to

increase our understanding of how genes contribute to the
development of disease. These are specially made to serve
as models for human diseases so that investigation of new
treatments for diseases is made possible. Today transgenic
models exist for many human diseases such as cancer,
cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s.
3. Biological products: Medicines required to treat certain human
diseases can contain biological products, but such products are
often expensive to make. Transgenic animals that produce useful
biological products can be created by the introduction of the
portion of DNA (or genes) which codes for a particular product such
as human protein (α-1-antitrypsin) used to treat emphysema.. In 1997,
the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein-enriched
milk (2.4 grams per litre). The milk contained the human
alpha-lactalbumin and was nutritionally a more balanced product
for human babies than natural cow-milk.

4. Vaccine safety: Transgenic mice are being developed for use in

testing the safety of vaccines before they are used on humans.
Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of the polio
vaccine. If successful and found to be reliable, they could replace
the use of monkeys to test the safety of batches of the vaccine.

5. Chemical safety testing: This is known as toxicity/safety testing.

The procedure is the same as that used for testing toxicity of drugs.
Transgenic animals are made that carry genes which make them
more sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals.
They are then exposed to the toxic substances and the effects
studied. Toxicity testing in such animals will allow us to obtain
results in less time.
 CONS OF TRANSGENIC ANIMALS
1.Ecological Imbalance and Biodiversity Loss:
If transgenic animals are released or escape into the
wild, they could interbreed with wild populations. This
could reduce genetic diversity or outcompete native
species, leading to declines or even extinctions.

2. Unintended Effects on Ecosystems: Transgenic

animals might impact other species in unexpected
ways, such as by altering food chains or
predator-prey dynamics. For instance, a modified fish
species could become a more dominant predator,
disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems.

3. Gene Flow and Contamination of Wild Populations:

Genes from transgenic animals can spread to wild
populations through interbreeding, leading to genetic
contamination. This can have unpredictable
consequences on wild species' fitness, adaptability,
and evolution.

4. Impact on Non-Target Species: Transgenic animals

might release compounds (such as hormones or
toxins) that affect non-target species.
4. Increased Use of Resources and Habitat Destruction:
Transgenic animals may require specific resources
(e.g., feed, shelter) that could increase habitat
destruction or resource depletion. For example, a
transgenic species with enhanced growth could
require more food, leading to increased agricultural
land use and deforestation.

5. Potential for New Diseases: Some transgenic

modifications could unintentionally increase an
animal's susceptibility to diseases, which might
spread to wild populations. New diseases could
emerge or existing pathogens could evolve to infect
both modified and native species, affecting
biodiversity and ecosystem health.
 WAY FORWARD
1. Reducing animal suffering
4. Developing new methods
Measures can be taken to reduce the pain of New methods for modifying the genome could make
transgenic animals, such as sacrificing them transgenic technology more efficient and less
before they develop advanced tumors. expensive.

2. Using security measures 5. Using embryonic stem cells

Transgenic animals can be reared and used with Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated and
security measures in place to prevent them from totipotent, making them easier to manipulate in vitro.
escaping and interbreeding with wild animals.
6. Using mobile genetic elements
3. Disposing of them as bio-hazardous waste Vectors based on mobile genetic elements can be
Dead transgenic animals must be disposed of as used to integrate transgenes into the genome.
biohazardous waste to prevent them from being
released into the environment.
 CASE STUDY
India may soon approve genetically modified (GM)
crops, particularly GM mustard, for commercial
cultivation, a decision sparking debate over
potential impacts on crop diversity, food security,
and the agrarian sector. The Genetic Engineering
Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in the Ministry of
Environment is reportedly close to greenlighting
GM mustard, a move met with resistance from
experts and activists who argue the crop's
biosafety assessment has been inadequate.

Critics, including activists like Kavita Kuruganti of

GM Free India, contend that GM mustard's
approval process lacked scientific rigor, bypassing
necessary tests. They also worry about the
environmental hazards posed by
herbicide-tolerant GM mustard and the likelihood
of increased pesticide use. Approval of GM
mustard could pave the way for other GM crops
like BT cotton and BT brinjal, further expanding
GM agriculture in India.
Opponents argue that GM crops may harm crop
biodiversity by displacing indigenous varieties,
which are essential for resilience against climate
change. Additionally, they fear that
commercialization will shift seed market control to
private companies, leaving small-scale farmers at
a disadvantage. Ishteyaque Ahmed from
Greenpeace India cautions that the widespread
use of GM seeds could have unpredictable
environmental consequences and deepen farmer
dependency on costly seeds from private firms.

Amidst these concerns, the government is also

exploring genetic editing technologies, which,
unlike GM crops, might bypass current regulatory
frameworks. Activists believe that this shift could
weaken safeguards against untested agricultural
technologies, risking both ecological stability and
national food security.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetic-Engineering#:~:t
ext=Genetic%20engineering%20(also%20called%20genetic,a%20ne
w%20segment%20of%20DNA.)

2. https://byjus.com/biology/recombinant-dna-technology/

3. NCERT - Class 12 ( Chapter 12 - Biotechnology and its applications)

4. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-verdi
ct-on-gm-mustard-approval

5. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/-approval-of-gm-mustard-
may-threaten-food-security-increase-pesticide-tolerance--85560
THANK
YOU !!