Genetically Modified Organisms
About Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are those organisms whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products. GMO has its DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic  engineering.In most cases, GMO's have been altered with the DNA from another organism, be it a bacterium, plant, virus, or animal, these organisms are sometimes referred to as "Transgenic animals". Most GMOs have been engineered to withstand the direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. However, new technologies are now being used to artificially develop other traits in plants, such as a resistance to browning in apples, and to create new organisms using synthetic biology.
GMO in Agriculture
Genetically modified (GM) crops are the fastest adopted commodities in the biotechnology industry.  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.Increased agricultural productivity, contributed to economic growth, and allowed food demand to be met. Few examples are herbicide tolerant soyabean, insect resistant corn, canola with altered fatty acid composition and virus resistant plum,etc.
Facts and Research
The first genetically modified food approved for release was the Flavr Savr Tomato in 1994.Developed by Calgene by employing anti - sense technology.
GMO is banned in France,Germany,Austria,Hungary,Greece Luxembourg.
Herbert Boyer & Stanley Cohen made the first GMO in 1973.
70-80 percent of all processed foods sold in the U.S. contain genetically modified ingredients.
GMOs aren’t just in your food. They’re in the personal care products you use, the supplements you take, the cotton sheets and towels you use, the clothes you wear and the diapers you use on your children.
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Salmon have been engineered to grow larger and mature faster and cattle have been enhanced to exhibit resistance to mad cow disease.
Products such as rice for vitamin enrichment, tobacco for vaccine against Hepatitis B, maize for oral vaccine are still under development.
Production of Golden rice modified the nutrient value of food for the first time.
Scientists infuse plants with the luminescence of fireflies.​
References
Kumar Pradeep et al.[ 2017,July 3 ].Current perspective on genetically modified crops & detection methods.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5495694/#CR30.
Yu Cuiwei et al.[ 2018, November 30].Molecular breeding of water lily:engineering cold stress tolerance into tropical water lily.Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41438-018-0086-2.
Key Suzie et al.[ 2008, June 1].Genetically modified plants and human health.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2408621/.
Sid Hicham & Schusser Benjamin.[2018, October 9].Applications of gene editing in Chickens: A new era in on the horizon.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6189320/.
Demeke Tigst & Dobnik David.[2018,March 24].Critical assessment of digital PCR for the detection & quantification of GMO.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010488/.
Spicer Andrew & Molnar Attila.[ 2018, March 6].Gene editing of microalgae: Scientific progress and regulatory challenges in Europe.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872047/.
Diaz Julia M et al.[ 2018, April 26].Genetically Modified Organisms.Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/genetically-modified-organism.
Maghari Behrokh Mohajer & Ardekani Ali M.[ 2011, July-September].Genetically Modified Organisms & Social concerns.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3558185/.
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