CAN GMOS SOLVE THE WORLDS MEDICAL ISSUES?

Megan Dernberger 0195

John Overton High School
AICE Global Perspectives 9239
February 24, 2017
Word Count: 1849
 Imagine altering, deleting, or even inserting small portions of DNA into organisms to

change their function and characteristics, whether it be slightly or drastically. While it might sound

like science fiction, editing genetic material is indeed real and has been used in multiple instances

already. Although editing the genome appears to be a miracle cure for numerous issues, there is

much debate about whether the risks involved are worth the potential benefits, especially in

medical treatments. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can solve the world's

medical issues because it allows for advanced, personalized medical treatments, provides current

solutions to many otherwise unsolvable medical issues, and allows animals to be used for unique

treatment methods. On the other hand, the use of GMOs for solving medical issues is advised

against by many scientific officials and countries, the potential side effects are unknown - which

could be very dangerous - and testing is often difficult and intrusive to those involved.

GMOs allow for advanced, personalized medical treatments. The use of Clustered

regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) allows DNA to be genetically altered,

deleted, or rearranged in a living organism. CRISPR has already been used to genetically correct

mutations that cause muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and a form of hepatitis in animals

(Specter). HIV and AIDS are also mutations that could be eliminated by CRISPR (Specter).

Michael Specter is an author with many books and articles regarding science and technology,

specifically relating to global health issues. He has won many awards for his various science and

journalism writing, suggesting reliable information. Additionally, the use of Chimeric antigen

receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which uses genetically altered cells to strengthen the patient's

immune system, has been able to treat late stage lymphoblastic leukemia in children with

unparalleled effectiveness. While early results indicate ninety percent of patients went into

remission, there is no data on long term effects of the drug or the amount of time in remission
(Reilly). Michael Reilly has written numerous technology reviews for the Massachusetts Institute

of Technology, but he does not have a career in genetic modification, so the source does not

have bias. However, this could be seen as a lack of expertise in the field.

GMOs can solve many complex diseases that do not have any other viable

solutions. Mitochondria disease causes issues with converting food into energy and is usually

caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA that was passed down by the mother. By genetically

modifying two eggs and one sperm into one embryo, a mother with mitochondria disease can have

a healthy child that is genetically related to her (Darnovsky). This technology can also be used to

allow infertile mothers, due to age, to have children genetically related to them. Dr. Marcy

Darnovsky has written many articles on human biotechnologies, has appeared and spoken on many

news shows, and has taught courses at Sonoma State University and California State University

East Bay. Therefore, her expertise gives her creditability, but possibly a vested interest since the

advancements of genetically modified organisms allows her career to continue to succeed.

Furthermore, using stem cells as medical treatments can benefit those who suffer from spinal cord

injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, burns,

cancer, and osteoarthritis, all which effect many patients world-wide (Mayo Clinic Staff). Stem

cells allow for new tissue to be grown for regeneration, repairs, or transplants. The Mayo Clinic

Staff uses many authors with different specialties to ensure accuracy of their articles and the

information in them. Having multiple authors and editors allows for bias and vested interest to be

minimized.

GMOs also allow animals to be modified to solve medical issues in addition to the

traditional treatments. Organ transplants, or technically the lack of organ transplants, result in

thousands of deaths every year (Specter). The lack of viable human organs has caused research
into unconventional options for possible solutions. Genetically modifying animal organs to make

them viable for human transplantation has been an ideal solution to the shortage of available

organs. For instance, pig organs are the ideal size, but they cannot be currently used due to the

viruses in the genome, which are similar to the viruses that cause AIDS. However, CRISPR allows

for editing in the pig genome to eliminate the porcine endogenous retroviruses (PPERVs)

(Specter). The use of stem cells allows for patient specific organs to be grown in and modified

from non-human primates. This technology allows the new organ to have the same human

leukocyte antigen (HLA) as the original patient. This could potentially correct any genetic

disorders the patient may have as well. This has been done successfully in mice and rats with

pancreases, and it is not too far of a stretch for human pancreases to be grown from a monkey, pig,

or sheep (Sanal). Madhusudana Girija Sanal, MD, PhD, has numerous scientific publications on

various studies, many having to do with cancer, stem cells, or the liver. This gives him vast

expertise, not only in the science behind stem cells, but also gives him the knowledge in the

medical aspects of the research. He might have a vested interest for GMOs to succeed since his

research is mostly on topics relating to GMOs. Additionally, a subspecies of mosquito has been

genetically altered to produce offspring that would not survive past childhood and eventually kill

off that part of the population (Lafrance). This could tackle viruses like Zika, which is spread by

the mosquito population. Lab-altered males would be released to mate with wild females to

produce the 'damaged' offspring. Since males do not bite, they cannot spread the disease, limiting

the amount of mosquitos that can. This would be beneficial in places that suffer heavily from

mosquito-transmitted diseases, like Florida and Brazil, that have little defense against these

outbreaks. Adrienne Lafrance is a staff writer at The Atlantic and mostly covers stories on
technology. Being a journalist allows Lafrance to have a fresh perspective and minimize any

potential bias.

Many scientific officials and countries, often worried about the future dangers of the field,

are against the use of GMOs. These officials are specifically against genetic modification of

sperm, eggs, or early embryos since it could lead to human experimentation

(Darnovsky). However, the typically high opposition to "inheritable genetic modifications" is

lowering despite many countries' laws against these types of modification. Britain, specifically, is

moving towards using these mitochondrial modifications despite the negative view of GMOs in

Europe (Darnovsky). Additionally, many countries in the European Union, specifically, Greece,

Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Hungary, and others, have nation-wide bans on the

production and consumption of genetically modified products as well as bans on GMO medical

treatments ("GMO Cultivation Bans in Europe"). Worried about the dangers of consuming GMO

products, many countries have made GMOs illegal in order to safeguard their citizens. GMO-free

Europe, the organization behind GMO Cultivation Bans in Europe, is a campaign in the

European Parliament to eliminate GMOs from Europe. Being a large campaign to ban genetically

modified products gives this source a vested interest, but the source provides reliable information

about the hazards of GMO consumption.

The use of GMOs in medical treatments still has many unidentified side effects with

immediate and late onset effects. The long term effects of having three sets of DNA are unknown,

including potential medical and social issues (Darnovsky). While there could be issues with the

baby at birth, there could also be late-onset issues or subsequent generational problems. The side

effects will remain unknown until further testing is conducted. Due to the limited data on the side

effect of products with GMOs and limited long term clinical trials, there could be an increased
chance of life-threatening allergic reactions, especially those with existing allergies

(Brockovich). Erin Brockovich is an environmental activist and legal clerk, giving her a different

perspective than the typical scientist. Her lack of training in this field could possibly lower the

creditability of her statements. Although stem cells have potential as medical treatments, genetic

modification is needed for them to reach their full potential. While the relatively safer methods of

genetic modification are moderately effective, they are not nearly as effective as the less safe

methods (Nowakowski). The longer lasting and stronger results are caused by the less safe

methods, creating the issue of priority: performance or safety. Adam Nowakowski is a part of the

Neurorepair Department at the Mossakowski Medical Research Center Polish Academy of Science

in Warsaw, Poland. He has multiple publications focusing on genetic engineering and stem cells,

giving him credibility in the field. He would possibly have a vested interest to see the use GMOs

expand since his work is focused in this area.

The testing required to obtain more knowledge about GMOs impacts many people and has

unknown implications on those who choose to participate in the trials. The trial to test genetically

modified mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) in a Florida county was Food and Drug Administration

(FDA) approved, but there is still a portion of the county that is strongly against the trial

(Mohney). The moderately negative popular opinion is making the trial difficult and

controversial. Testing GMOs requires large intrusions on many individuals, whether it is a direct

impact or indirect impact. Gillian Mohney, who graduated from Columbia University Graduate

School of Journalism covers health news for ABC News digitally. She would have a unique

perspective on GMO testing and has been trained to remain objective, though her lack of specific

training in science could limit her creditability. Additionally, death has occurred in many patients

in many clinical trials involving CAR-T. Although the effects of the treatment often result in the
cancer returning eventually, the patients who are eligible for this treatment are already near death,

so the possibility of a fatal reaction and the cancer potentially returning is often acceptable

(Reilly).

In researching the benefits and draw backs of using genetically modified organisms for

medical treatments, I have found that the use of GMOs is a very complex problem with no simple

solution. While there is still much to learn and discover about GMOs, there are many potentially

life changing treatments that are being developed or already exist. I believe more extensive

research is required to fully understand genetically modified organisms and the medical impact

that they have on humans. I think more people need to be open to the idea of GMOs being used

as medical treatments since they have large potential to advance the ability of medicine.

The use of GMO in medical treatments can solve the world's medical issues because they

allow for advanced, personalized options for treatments, create treatments for currently untreatable

diseases, and allow the possible treatments to be greatly expanded. To ensure the success of GMOs

in the medical world, the risks associated with the use of genetically modified organism treatments,

like unknown immediate and long term side effects, have to be closely studied and monitored.

While there would be risks using GMOs in medical treatments, GMOs are a life-changing medical

advancement that can treat and save numerous patients around the world, essentially solving the

worlds medical issues.

Work Cited:
Brockovich, Erin. "The Biotech Industry Is Jeopardizing Our Health." Time. Time, 1 Dec. 2015.
Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
Darnovsky, Marcy. "Genetically Modified Babies." The New York Times. N.p., 23 Feb. 2014.
Web. Sept.-Oct. 2016.
"GMO Cultivation Bans in Europe." Bans. GMO-freeEurope, n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2017
Harris, Richard. "Scientists Give Genetically Modified Organisms a Safety Switch." NPR.
NPRR, 21 Jan. 2015. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.
Lafrance, Adrienne. "Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?" The
Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do." Mayo Clinic. N.p., 23 Mar.
2013. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.
Mohney, Gillian. "Florida County Votes to Allow Controversial GMO Mosquito Test." ABC
News. ABC News Network, 9 Nov. 2016. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
Nowakowski, Adam. "Genetic Engineering of Stem Cells for Enhanced Therapy." Acta
Neurobiologiae Experimentalis 73.1 (2013): 1-18. Web. 8 Nov. 2016.
Reilly, Michael. "A Cure for a Childhood Cancer-but Will It Last?" MIT Technology Review.
N.p., 05 Oct. 2016. Web. 01 Nov. 2016.
Sanal, Madhusudana Girija. "Future of Liver Transplantation: Non-human Primates for Patient-
specific Organs from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells." World Journal of
Gastroenterology 17.32 (2011): 3684. Web.
Specter, Michael. "How the DNA Revolution Is Changing Us." National Geographic. N.p., July
2016. Web. 8 Nov. 2016