A Study of Genetically Modified
Crops: Their Advantages and
Disadvantages
Prepared by:
Matthew MacMullin, Biological Engineering
Jordan Smith, Food Science
Nahid Aalidaai, Food Science
Outline
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Introduction
How Genes Affect the Crops
Creation of Genetically Modified Crops
Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops
Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops
Future of the Technology
Conclusions
Introduction
What Are Genetically Modified Crops?
Have a transgene artificially added.
Transgene from an unrelated organism.
This alters the crop plant’s DNA.
Why Create Genetically Modified Crops?
Give plants traits they did not have before
being altered.
Allow growers to customize plants with
attributes they choose.
Introduction
A brief look at the history of Genetically Modified
Plants.
Breeding plants to have certain traits.
Use of radiation to cause mutations in the 1920’s.
First genetically modified plants were created in
1983.
These early creations lead to plants containing
commercially valuable traits.
How Genes Affect the Crops
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DNA contains the organism’s genetic
information.
Genes are certain segments of DNA that hold
the information needed to synthesis proteins.
Different genes lead to different proteins.
The proteins lead to expression of the plant’s
traits.
How Genes Affect the Crops
Source: http://cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/how.html
Creation of Genetically Modified
Crops
Locating the Genes to Use
Is the current limiting Factor.
Locating the gene alone is not
enough.
Mostly a trial and error process.
Creation of Genetically Modified
Crops
Replication of the Gene
Usually done through a bacterium plasmid vector.
Gene isolated using restriction enzymes.
The plasmid is taken from a bacteria cell.
The gene is inserted into plasmid using ligase.
Plasmid placed back into bacteria cell where it is
replicated as the cell reproduces.
Creation of Genetically Modified
Crops
Replication of the Gene
Source: http://academic.kellogg.cc.mi.us/herbrandsonc/bio111/propagation.htm
Creation of Genetically Modified
Crops
Designing The Gene for Use
The must be modified before inserted into plant cells.
Need promoter and termination sequences.
A marker gene is added.
Other changes made to ensure acceptance by the plant.
Source: http://cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/how.html
Creation of Genetically Modified
Crops
Transformation of Plants
Two methods used
Micro-projectile bombardment method
Genes are attached to micro-projectiles and fired
into cells.
Clean and safe.
May cause unwanted side affects.
Creation of Genetically Modified Crops
Transformation of Plants
 Agrobacterium Method.
 Most common method.
 Makes use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
 Disease causing DNA replaced with transgene.
Source: http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?p=518
Creation of Genetically Modified Crops
Transformation of Plants
Agrobacterium Method
Transfers genes through a floral dip.
Does not affect stability of plant’s cells.
Only effective on some crops
Creation of Genetically Modified
Crops
Source: http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?p=518
Advantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
For Farmers
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Grow premium crops under poor conditions.
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Pest or Herbicide resistant crops.
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Faster Maturation rates for crops.
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Increased Yields for crops.
Advantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
For Consumers
 Higher Quality attributes.
 Size, Colour, Flavours.
 Longer shelf-life for products.
Advantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
For Developing Countries
 Grow Crops on less Fertile land.
 Larger Yields feed more People.
 More Crops Grown; Faster Maturation.
Advantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
For Environment
 Crops will require less Pesticides.
 Crops will require less Herbicides.
 Less Farmland used (in theory).
Disadvantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
Environmental Risks
 Resistant Pests and Weeds.
 Mutated Genes in Nature.
 Hybrid Plants.
 Extinction of plant species.
 Unforeseen Risks.
Disadvantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
Health Risks
 Allergens from proteins not normally present in food
products.
 Pharmaceutical Crop Contamination.
 Unforeseen Risks.
Disadvantages of Genetically Modified
Crops
Economical Concerns
 Traditional and Organic Farms Obsolete.
 Corporate Monopoly.
 Farmers forced to use GM crops.
 Only Corporations can develop/supply seed.
The Future of the Technology
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Currently used to improve crops.
Still being improved
Current research centers on improving the
health of consumers.
Adding vitamins to crops such as rice in areas of
the world where nutritional deficiencies are
abundant.
Possibility of fighting diseases.
Conclusions
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Still a relatively new technology.
Always changing and improvement.
Seemingly unlimited possibilities.
Pros outweigh the Cons.
Research will hopefully continue and make the
world better.
However, The products should be tested
thoroughly.
Any Questions?