Els q2 Mod5 Benefits Risks of Using Gmos
Els q2 Mod5 Benefits Risks of Using Gmos
Els q2 Mod5 Benefits Risks of Using Gmos
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort
has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective
copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.
LESSON
THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF USING GMOs
In this module, you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs
for you to evaluate their benefits and risks.
.
This module will help you understand
concepts and enjoy different learning
activities.
Made through
Bitmoji App
1
Fig. 2 Banana. Accessed July 31, 2020:
http://earthzine.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GMCrops2-1.png
2
Fig. 5 Tomato. Accessed July 31, 2020:
https://atlassociety.org/images/GMO-Tomato.jpg
Organism Differences
Eggplant
Banana
Cowpea pods
Apple
Tomato
3
Directions: Read the article below entitled:
PH most 'GMO-friendly' country in
DO THIS! Southeast Asia? by Ms. Ranada of
Rappler. Then, give your thoughts or insights
about it.
MANILA, Philippines - Last August, around 400 farmers uprooted the genetically
modified crop Golden Rice grown in a government-owned testing field in Pili,
Camarines Sur.
They contended that far from benefiting farmers, Golden Rice will contaminate native
rice crops and pose risks to public health and the environment. Once GM crops are
exposed to nature, there is no recalling their unforeseen impact on soil, organisms,
and nearby crops.
The farmers, members of anti-GMO alliance SIKWAL-GMO, also decried the lack of
consultation with Bicolano farmers.
“Last February, we had a dialogue with officials from the Department of Agriculture.
After airing our concerns, they promised us that they will not conduct any Golden Rice
field trials. However, they still continued these clandestine field trials," alliance
spokesperson Bert Aunor was quoted as saying in news reports.
"We are very concerned as news about feed testing will start this year and that the
harvest will be used in these feed experiments."
The Golden Rice field test trials are being conducted by the Philippine Rice Research
Institute in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.
Unlike normal rice, the distinctly yellow Golden Rice has been genetically engineered
to contain more beta carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A. While beta carotene is found
in the leaves of the rice plant, scientists found a way to insert genes from bacteria and
corn into the edible parts of the plant so that beta carotene is produced in the grains
as well.
Golden Rice has been touted as the "poster boy" of genetically modified organisms or
GMOs because it is said to address Vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of blindness
in children all over the world.
The World Health Organization estimates that 250,000 to 500,000 children become
Vitamin A deficient each year, half of them dying within months of losing their sight.
4
'GMO-friendly' country
While Golden Rice is still being tested, a total of 44 GMOs has been approved by the
government: 40 for direct use as food, animal feed and food processing and 4 for
planting as crops. Most of these are genetically altered corn, soybean, potato, canola,
cotton, sugarbeet, and alfalfa.
They have been genetically engineered to resist pests and herbicides, delay ripening
or enhance their nutritional value.
All of these approved GMOs are products of big multinational agrochemical companies
like Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, and Pioneer which own patents to these crops.
"We are the only Southeast Asian country that allows the planting of a GM food crop.
Our neighbors are more cautious in approving GMOs. Our government is approving
left and right. At the rate we are going, there are approvals every one-and-a-half
months."
Thelma Soriano, senior agriculturist of Biotech Core Team, the government agency
charged with approving and monitoring GMO applications, said, "We are not 'so open'
to GM crops. The Philippines is just open to all agricultural tools, methods, and
technologies that can be of help to the Filipino farmer, so long as this is safe for human
and animal consumption and the environment.
"Crop biotechnology is just an option. It is the farmers who will decide if they need the
technology or not for their particular farm."
"First, these companies use promotions and discounts. They give farmers free trial
seeds for planting. May raffle pa nga yan (they even raffle them off). Some of the
farmers we have talked to, especially the small landholders, most of them have tried
planting GM corn but after one planting season, they quit. But they are forced to plant
it again because the credit facilities they borrow from will only grant them loans if they
plant GM corn. These facilities are partly funded by GM companies like Monsanto."
Reference: Ranada, Pia. Rappler. PH most ‘GMO-friendly’ country in Southeast Asia? Accessed July 31, 2020:
http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/247-agriculture/38878-gmo-philippines-golden-rice
5
Direction: Categorize the benefits of using
EXPLORE GMOs according to pharmaceutical, industrial,
agricultural, and other industries. Use the table
below.
Agricultural plants are one of the most frequently cited examples of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs). Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop
yields, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced
nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food
security, and medical benefits to the world's growing population. Advances have also been
made in developing crops that mature faster and tolerate aluminum, boron, salt, drought,
frost, and other environmental stressors, allowing plants to grow in conditions where they
might not otherwise flourish (Table 1; Takeda & Matsuoka, 2008). Other applications
include the production of nonprotein (bioplastic) or nonindustrial (ornamental plant)
products. A number of animals have also been genetically engineered to increase yield
and decrease susceptibility to disease. For example, salmon have been engineered to
grow larger and mature faster (Table 1), and cattle have been enhanced to exhibit
resistance to mad cow disease.
Reference: Theresa Phillips, Ph.D. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and recombinant DNA technology. Nature
Education 1(1):213. Accessed July 31, 2020: https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-
transgenic-crops-and-732/
6
Table 1: Examples of GMOs Resulting from Agricultural Biotechnology
Genetically Conferred Example Genetic Change
Trait Organism
APPROVED COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
Herbicide tolerance Soybean Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup)
tolerance conferred by expression
of a glyphosate-tolerant form of the
plant enzyme 5-
enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate
synthase (EPSPS) isolated from
the soil bacterium Agrobacterium
tumefaciens, strain CP4
Insect resistance Corn Resistance to insect pests,
specifically the European corn
borer, through expression of the
insecticidal protein Cry1Ab
from Bacillus thuringiensis
Altered fatty acid Canola High laurate levels achieved by
composition inserting the gene for ACP
thioesterase from the California bay
tree Umbellularia californica
Virus resistance Plum Resistance to plum pox virus
conferred by insertion of a coat
protein (CP) gene from the virus
PRODUCTS STILL IN DEVELOPMENT
Vitamin enrichment Rice Three genes for the manufacture
of beta-carotene, a precursor to
vitamin A, in the endosperm of the
rice prevent its removal (from
husks) during milling
Vaccines Tobacco Hepatitis B virus
surface antigen (HBsAg) produced
in transgenic tobacco induces
immune response when injected
into mice
Oral vaccines Maize Fusion protein (F) from Newcastle
disease virus (NDV) expressed in
corn seeds induces an immune
response when fed to chickens
7
Faster maturation Coho salmon A type 1 growth hormone gene
injected into fertilized fish eggs
results in 6.2% retention of
the vector at one year of age, as
well as significantly increased
growth rates
Directions: PRODUCT SURVEY. Look for GMO and Non-GMO labels from various
products available in your home through their packaging. Accomplish the table below.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
8
Direction: Conduct a survey of food
products available in your home which
contain substances that can trigger
genetic disorders or inborn errors of
metabolism.
Please refer to the information box for each disorder. Then, write your survey results
in the table provided below. (Optional activity: You can take pictures of the products)
Reference:
Anna C. Edens Hurst, M. M. Hereditary fructose intolerance. Medline Plus. 2019. Accessed July 31,
2020: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000359.htm
GALACTOSEMIA
Galactosemia is a condition in which the body is unable to use (metabolize) the
simple sugar galactose.
Galactosemia is an inherited disorder. This means it is passed down through
families. If both parents carry a nonworking copy of the gene that can cause
galactosemia, each of their children has a 25% (1 in 4) chance of being affected with
it.
There are 3 forms of the disease:
Galactose-1 phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) deficiency: Classic galactosemia,
the most common and most severe form
Deficiency of galactose kinase (GALK)
Deficiency of galactose-6-phosphate epimerase (GALE)
People with galactosemia are unable to fully break down the simple sugar galactose.
Galactose makes up one half of lactose, the sugar found in milk.
If an infant with galactosemia is given milk, substances made from galactose build
up in the infant's system. These substances damage the liver, brain, kidneys, and
eyes. People with galactosemia cannot tolerate any form of milk (human or animal).
They must be careful about eating other foods containing galactose.
Reference:
Anna C. Edens Hurst, M. M. Galactosemia. Medline Plus. 2019. Accessed July 31, 2020:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000366.htm
9
MAPLE SYRUP URINE DISEASE
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a disorder in which the body cannot break
down certain parts of proteins. The urine of people with this condition can smell like
maple syrup.
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is inherited, which means it is passed down
through families. It is caused by a defect in 1 of 3 genes. People with this condition
cannot break down the amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine. This leads to a
buildup of these chemicals in the blood.
In the most severe form, MSUD can damage the brain during times of physical stress
(such as infection, fever, or not eating for a long time).
Some types of MSUD are mild or come and go. Even in the mildest form, repeated
periods of physical stress can cause mental disability and high levels of leucine to
build up.
Reference:
Anna C. Edens Hurst, M. M. (2019, April 24). Maple syrup urine disease. Medline Plus. 2019
Accessed July 31, 2020: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000373.htm
PHENYLKETONURIA
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare condition in which a baby is born without the ability
to properly break down an amino acid called phenylalanine.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is inherited, which means it is passed down through families.
Both parents must pass on a nonworking copy of the gene in order for a baby to
have the condition. When this is the case, their children have a 1 in 4 chance of
being affected. Babies with PKU are missing an enzyme called phenylalanine
hydroxylase. It is needed to break down the essential amino acid phenylalanine.
Phenylalanine is found in foods that contain protein. Without the enzyme, levels of
phenylalanine build up in the body. This buildup can harm the central nervous
system and cause brain damage.
Reference:
Anna C. Edens Hurst, M. M. Phenylketonuria. Medline Plus. 2019. Accessed July 31, 2020:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001166.htm
10
2. Galactosemia
4. Phenylketonuria
11
Risks and Controversies Surrounding the Use of GMOs
Despite the fact that the genes being transferred occur naturally in other species, there
are unknown consequences to altering the natural state of an organism through
foreign gene expression. After all, such alterations can change the organism's
metabolism, growth rate, and/or response to external environmental factors. These
consequences influence not only the GMO itself, but also the natural environment in
which that organism is allowed to proliferate. Potential health risks to humans include
the possibility of exposure to new allergens in genetically modified foods, as well as
the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes to gut flora.
In contrast, the alarming consequences of vertical gene transfer between GMOs and
their wild-type counterparts have been highlighted by studying transgenic fish released
into wild populations of the same species. The enhanced mating advantages of the
genetically modified fish led to a reduction in the viability of their offspring. Thus, when
a new transgene is introduced into a wild fish population, it propagates and may
eventually threaten the viability of both the wild-type and the genetically modified
organisms.
One example of public debate over the use of a genetically modified plant involves the
case of Bt corn. Bt corn expresses a protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
Prior to construction of the recombinant corn, the protein had long been known to be
toxic to a number of pestiferous insects, including the monarch caterpillar, and it had
been successfully used as an environmentally friendly insecticide for several years.
The benefit of the expression of this protein by corn plants is a reduction in the amount
of insecticide that farmers must apply to their crops. Unfortunately, seeds containing
12
genes for recombinant proteins can cause unintentional spread of recombinant genes
or exposure of non-target organisms to new toxic compounds in the environment.
The now-famous Bt corn controversy started with a laboratory study by Losey et al.
(1999) in which the mortality of monarch larvae was reportedly higher when fed with
milkweed (their natural food supply) covered in pollen from transgenic corn than when
fed milkweed covered with pollen from regular corn. The report by Losey et al. was
followed by another publication (Jesse & Obrycki, 2000) suggesting that natural levels
of Bt corn pollen in the field were harmful to monarchs.
Debate ensued when scientists from other laboratories disputed the study, citing the
extremely high concentration of pollen used in the laboratory study as unrealistic, and
concluding that migratory patterns of monarchs do not place them in the vicinity of
corn during the time it sheds pollen. For the next two years, six teams of researchers
from government, academia, and industry investigated the issue and concluded that
the risk of Bt corn to monarchs was "very low", providing the basis for the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to approve Bt corn for an additional seven years.
Another concern associated with GMOs is that private companies will claim ownership
of the organisms they create and not share them at a reasonable cost with the public.
If these claims are correct, it is argued that use of genetically modified crops will hurt
the economy and environment, because monoculture practices by large-scale farm
production centers (who can afford the costly seeds) will dominate over the diversity
contributed by small farmers who can't afford the technology. However, a recent meta-
analysis of 15 studies reveals that, on average, two-thirds of the benefits of first-
generation genetically modified crops are shared downstream, whereas only one-third
accrues upstream (Demont et al., 2007). These benefit shares are exhibited in both
industrial and developing countries. Therefore, the argument that private companies
will not share ownership of GMOs is not supported by evidence from first-generation
genetically modified crops.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, public
acceptance trends in Europe and Asia are mixed depending on the country and current
mood at the time of the survey (Hoban, 2004). Attitudes toward cloning, biotechnology,
and genetically modified products differ depending upon people's level of education
13
and interpretations of what each of these terms mean. Support varies for different
types of biotechnology; however, it is consistently lower when animals are mentioned.
Furthermore, even if the technologies are shared fairly, there are people who would
still resist consumable GMOs, even with thorough testing for safety, because of
personal or religious beliefs. The ethical issues surrounding GMOs include debate
over our right to "play God," as well as the introduction of foreign material into foods
that are abstained from for religious reasons. Some people believe that tampering with
nature is intrinsically wrong, and others maintain that inserting plant genes in animals,
or vice versa, is immoral. When it comes to genetically modified foods, those who feel
strongly that the development of GMOs is against nature or religion have called for
clear labeling rules so they can make informed selections when choosing which items
to purchase. Respect for consumer choice and assumed risk is as important as having
safeguards to prevent mixing of genetically modified products with non-genetically
modified foods. In order to determine the requirements for such safeguards, there
must be a definitive assessment of what constitutes a GMO and universal agreement
on how products should be labeled.
These issues are increasingly important to consider as the number of GMOs continues
to increase due to improved laboratory techniques and tools for sequencing whole
genomes, better processes for cloning and transferring genes, and improved
understanding of gene expression systems. Thus, legislative practices that regulate
this research have to keep pace. Prior to permitting commercial use of GMOs,
governments perform risk assessments to determine the possible consequences of
their use, but difficulties in estimating the impact of commercial GMO use makes
regulation of these organisms a challenge.
Reference: Theresa Phillips, Ph.D. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and recombinant DNA technology. Nature
Education 1(1):213. Accessed July 31, 2020: https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-
crops-and-732/
Direction: Create a poster or collage explaining the risks of using GMOs on the
various sectors such as human health, environment, economy and/or philosophical or
religious concerns.
Use a short bond paper and after doing a poster or collage, attach it here. Please be
guided by the rubrics in the next page.
14
RUBRICS FOR RATING THE POSTER/COLLAGE
Criteria 4 3 2 1
Clear Clearly and Clearly Communicates Communicates
expression of effectively communicates important information as
ideas communicates main idea, information but isolated pieces
main idea, theme or point not a clear in a random
theme or of view theme or fashion
viewpoint to overall
audience. structure
15
For the last time, share your insights and queries.
REINFORCEMENT
Directions: Complete the Venn diagram below by stating the similarities and
differences of the arguments for Pro-GMOs and Anti-GMOs. State points briefly.
PRO-GMO ANTI-GMO
16
WORD BANK
PART A. Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer for the following questions.
1. Which of the following is not a risk for using GMOs?
A. Hurting small farmers C. Unintended economic consequences
B. Increase genetic diversity D. Harm to wildlife
2. What approval was provided to the Golden Rice by the Department of
Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry?
A. Biosafety permit C. Compliance certificate
B. FFP clearance D. Safety certificate
3. What is the growing religious concern for the GMOs popularized for?
A. Green revolution C. Golden
B. Playing God D. Traditional breeding
4. How many GMOs were approved by the Philippine government in the past
few years?
A. 42 C. 44
B. 43 D. 45
5. What is the component which makes the Golden rice gold colored?
A. Insect resistance C. Insulin
B. Herbicide tolerance D. Beta carotene
17
PART B. Direction: Explain your stand if you are for or against GMOs using 2-3
sentences only.
Are you for or against GMOs? Choose from either of the two boxes below.
I am for GMOs because …
Criteria 4 3 2 1
Exemplary Very Satisfactory Fair
satisfactory
Arguments Exceptional Numerous With Lacking
presentation arguments arguments but arguments to
of arguments supported the poorly support stand
for the stand stand presented
taken
Interpretations, The use of Used numerous The use of The use of
Inferences evidence and evidence and evidence and evidence and
reason was reason yet reason was reason was
highly evident failed to arrive evident. scarce.
that led to a at a logical
logical conclusion
conclusion
Organization Clear and Clear and Unclear but Unclear and
and clarity organized organized stand organized disorganized
stand that but does not stand and stand
reflects in- reflect in-depth does not
depth understanding reflect in-
understanding of the issue at depth
hand understanding
Made through
Bitmoji App
18
ANSWER KEY
DO THIS!
Answers may vary.
EXPLORE.
Categorization of Benefits of using GMOs.
Pharmaceutical/Medical Industrial Agricultural Other industries
Oral vaccine Clean fuel Faster Oil spill cleanup
development maturation of
salmon
Insulin Plastic Herbicide Memory
biodegradation tolerance of biostorage
using GM soybean
bacteria
Human transplant organs Vitamin
enrichment
Delivery of drugs to the Insect resistance
body (GM virus) of corn
Test organisms for Higher
medicine experiments percentage of
yield/harvest
APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED. Answers may vary depending on the
availability of products.
19
DO THIS! Answers may vary depending on the availability of products.
EXPLORE. Crossword Puzzle
1. Playing God
2. Golden Rice
3. Gene
4. Bacillus
5. Thuringiensis
ASSESS WHAT YOU LEARNED
PART A.
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. D
REINFORCEMENT
Answers may vary.
REFERENCES
Edens Hurst, Anna C., M. M. Hereditary fructose intolerance. Medline Plus. 2019. Accessed
July 31, 2020: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000359.htm
Edens Hurst, Anna C, M. M. Galactosemia. Medline Plus. 2019. Accessed July 31, 2020:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000366.htm
Edens Hurst, Anna C, M. M. (2019, April 24). Maple syrup urine disease. Medline Plus. 2019
Accessed July 31, 2020: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000373.htm
Edens Hurst, Anna C, M. M. Phenylketonuria. Medline Plus. 2019. Accessed July 31, 2020:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001166.htm
Phillips, Theresa Ph.D. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and
recombinant DNA technology. Nature Education 1(1):213. Accessed July 31, 2020:
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-
crops-and-732/
Jane B. Reece and Neil A. Campbell, eds. 2011. Campbell Biology. 9th ed. Boston:
Benjamin Cummings / Pearson.
Ranada, Pia. Rappler. PH most ‘GMO-friendly’ country in Southeast Asia? Accessed July
31, 2020. http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/247-agriculture/38878-gmo-
philippines-golden-rice.
20