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What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer broadly to organisms that are

produced when selected individual genes are transferred from a given donor organism
into another target organism, typically conferring desired properties to the new
organism. GMOs can include plants, animals, and enzymes. Some GMOs have been
approved by regulatory agencies for commercial production and consumption, while
others are currently undergoing regulatory evaluation. Still other GMOs are in
experimental stages and confined to scientific laboratory research. According the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) by 2012, 93% of soybeans, 94% of
cotton, and 88% of corn grown in the U.S. were genetically modified .
What are some things GMOs are modified to do?
Pest Resistance (Example: Bt corn):
The genome of Bt corn has been modified to include a gene from the
soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a protein poisonous to the
European corn borer, an insect that damages corn crops.
Virus Resistance (Example: GM papaya):
Developed at the University of Hawaii, the genetically modified papaya is resistant

to Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV) a plant virus spread predominantly by aphids. The
Rainbow papaya variety is produced by introducing a protein from the PRSV into plant
tissue, which confers resistance to the virus. This method works in much the same way
as human influenza virus vaccinations.
Fortification (Example: Golden rice):
Engineered to include beta-carotene biosynthesis
genes, Golden rice was developed to address dietary
vitamin A shortages in the developing world. Rice does
not usually produce betacarotene, a precursor of vitamin
A, in the edible portion of the grain. Research is currently
being conducted on the bioavailability of the genetically
modified grain
Pigs
Last week, scientists from the

University of Edinburgh’s Roslin
Institute announced they had deleted
the section of DNA that leaves pigs
vulnerable to porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome, which is
estimated to cost European farmers
£1.5bn a year in loss of livestock and
decreased productivity.
Genetically modified animals are

banned from the EU food chain, but
since this is a new and different
technique it’s possible, they’ll be
appearing in bacon sandwiches in a
few years.
Cows
Scientists in both China and Argentina have genetically engineered
cows to produce milk similar in composition to that made by
humans. After modifying embryos, an Argentinian cow – Rosita Isa
– was born that expressed milk containing proteins present in
human milk but lacking in cow milk. However, there are a number of
scientific, safety and taste issues that would have to be overcome
before this replaces “mother’s milk” for infants.
Chickens
The Roslin Institute is working on GM chickens that
contain an extra gene that interrupts the transmission of
avian flu. Unlike a vaccination, the modification still
protects the bird if the virus mutates. However, some
farmers argue it is better to enforce good farming practices
than create disease-free animals.
What is Nano World?
Nanoscience refers to the scientific study of materials of nanometer size, and is

a combination of developments in solid state chemistry, synthetic chemistry, molecular
biology, solid state physics and engineering, and scanning tunneling microscopy.
Nanotechnology refers to various technologies to produce materials of extra high
precision and dimensions on the scale of one-billionth of a meter. It implies the ability
to generate and utilize structures, components, and devices with a size range from
about 0.1nm to about 100nm. Nanoworld is a highly integrated and extensively broad
area of research and development. The Royal Society and The Royal Academy of
Engineering have categorized nanoscience into nanoscale in one dimension;
nanoscale in two dimensions; and nanoscale in three dimensions.
Nanotechnology applied in:
Medicine
Researchers are developing customized nanoparticles the size of molecules that can
deliver drugs directly to diseased cells in your body. When it's perfected, this
method should greatly reduce the damage treatment such as chemotherapy does to
a patient's healthy cells. Check out our Nanotechnology Applications in
Medicine page to see how nanotechnology is being used in medicine.
Electronics
Nanotechnology holds some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of
electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption. Check out
our Nanotechnology Applications in Electronics page to see how
nanotechnology is being used in electronics.
Food
Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how

food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that
will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the
health benefits that food delivers. Check out our Nanotechnology Applications in
Food page for the details.
Fuel Cells
Nanotechnology is being used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells to
produce hydrogen ions from fuel such as methanol and to improve the efficiency of
membranes used in fuel cells to separate hydrogen ions from other gases such as
oxygen. Check out our Nanotechnology Applications in Fuel Cells page for the
details.
Solar Cells
Companies have developed nanotech solar cells that can be manufactured at

significantly lower cost than conventional solar cells. Check out
our Nanotechnology Applications in Solar Cells page for the details.
Batteries
Companies are currently developing batteries using nanomaterials. One such battery
will be a good as new after sitting on the shelf for decades. Another battery can be
recharged significantly faster than conventional batteries. Check
our Nanotechnology Applications in Batteries page for details.
Space
Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical.

Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the
space elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of rocket fuel required,
these advances could lower the cost of reaching orbit and traveling in space. Check
our Nanotechnology Applications in Space page for details.
Fuels
Nanotechnology can address the shortage of fossil fuels such as diesel and gasoline
by making the production of fuels from low grade raw materials economical,
increasing the mileage of engines, and making the production of fuels from normal
raw materials more efficient. Check our Nanotechnology Applications in
Fuels page for details.
What is Gene Therapy?
Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent
disease. In the future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting
a gene into a patient’s cells instead of using drugs or surgery. Researchers are testing
several approaches to gene therapy, including:
 Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene.
 Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly.
 Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.
Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases

(including inherited disorders, some types of cancer, and certain viral infections), the
technique remains risky and is still under study to make sure that it will be safe and
effective. Gene therapy is currently being tested only for diseases that have no other
cures.
Gene therapy is the insertion of genes into an individual's cells and tissues to treat
a disease, and hereditary diseases in which a defective mutant allele is replaced with
a functional one.
Although the technology is still in its infancy, it has been used with some success.
Antisense therapy is not strictly a form of gene therapy, but is a genetically-mediated
therapy and is often considered together with other methods.
In most gene therapy studies, a "normal" gene is inserted into the genome to replace
an "abnormal," disease-causing gene.
A carrier called a vector must be used to deliver the therapeutic gene to the patient's
target cells.
Currently, the most common type of vectors are viruses that have been genetically
altered to carry normal human DNA.
Viruses have evolved a way of encapsulating and delivering their genes to human
cells in a pathogenic manner.
Scientists have tried to harness this ability by manipulating the viral genome to remove
disease-causing genes and insert therapeutic ones.
Target cells such as the patient's liver or lung cells are infected with the vector.
The vector then unloads its genetic material containing the therapeutic human gene
into the target cell.
The generation of a functional protein product from the therapeutic gene restores the
target cell to a normal state.
In theory it is possible to transform either somatic cells (most cells of the body) or cells
of the germline (such as sperm cells, ova, and their stem cell precursors).
All gene therapy to date on humans has been directed at somatic cells, whereas
germline engineering in humans remains controversial.
For the introduced gene to be transmitted normally to offspring, it needs not only to be
inserted into the cell, but also to be incorporated into the chromosomes by genetic
recombination.
Somatic gene therapy can be broadly split in to two categories: ex vivo, which means
exterior (where cells are modified outside the body and then transplanted back in
again) and in vivo, which means interior (where genes are changed in cells still in the
body).
Mosquitoes
British company Oxitec has created genetically modified male

mosquitoes that carry a “self-limiting gene”. When they are released
into the wild and mate with females their offspring do not reach
adulthood, so crucially do not contribute to the spread of the Zika virus.
Other researchers are looking at using genetic modification to curb the
spread of malaria.
SPECIFIC ISSUES
IN SCIENCE
TECHNOLOGY
AND SOCIETY
Submitted by:
Mocah Alexa D. Badaran
Submitted to:
Darlene L. Marquez
Submitted to:
Darlene L. Marquez
GENETICALLY
MODIFIED
ANIMALS
GENETICALLY
MODIFIED
PLANTS
Soybeans
The GM soybean plant is resistant to pests

and disease as well as being tolerant of
herbicides that are most effective, allowing for
less herbicide use overall.
S
Aqua bounty Salmon
This new salmon is genetically engineered to reach market
size more quickly than non-GE farm-raised Atlantic
salmon. It is available to consumers in Canada.

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What are GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer broadly to organisms that are

Pest Resistance (Example: Bt corn):

Developed at the University of Hawaii, the genetically modified papaya is resistant

Last week, scientists from the

Genetically modified animals are

Nanoscience refers to the scientific study of materials of nanometer size, and is

Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how

Companies have developed nanotech solar cells that can be manufactured at

Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical.

 Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly.

 Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.

Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases

British company Oxitec has created genetically modified male

The GM soybean plant is resistant to pests

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