Biotechnology / Bioengineering

1
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• Definition the process of changing the genetic
  make-up of an organism to produce goods or
  services
• In the past selective breeding or artificial
  selection. Farmers bred plants or animals with
  the most desirable traits. Ex dairy cows,
  racehorse, tall plants
• In the present genetic engineering. Scientists
  can isolate the exact gene that controls a
  desirable trait. This gene can be transferred
  from one organism to another

2
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• What are some examples of genetically modified
  foods?
• Golden Rice
• a form of rice genetically modified to contain
  higher amounts of vitamin A (beta carotene)
• 3 new genes were implanted into regular rice
  2 from a daffodil 1 from a bacteria
• (b) Long Lasting Tomatoes (Flavr-Savr)
• a type of tomatoes genetically modified to
  contain less of the substance that causes
  tomatoes to rot. They remain fresh ripe
  longer.

3
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• What are some examples of genetically modified
  foods?
• (c) Insecticide B.t. Corn
• a form of corn, genetically modified to produce a
  poison (an insecticide) that kills harmful
  insects. Since the corn produces its own
  insecticide, farmers do not need to add these to
  fields
• the insecticide genes was transferred from a
  bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis OR B.t.)

4
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• What are some goals of genetic engineering?
• To Increase Quantity Quality of Food
• produce more food per area of land (ex a fast or
  large growing plant)
• produce pest resistant plants (ex B.t. corn)
• produce plants that spoil more slowly (ex long
  lasting tomatoes)
• all these might result in reduced cost for the
  consumer
• (2) To Enhance Nutritional Value
• ex golden rice

5
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• What are some goals of genetic engineering?
• (3) To Prevent Disease
• an attempt to transfer disease fighting genes to
  the food we eat
• ex goats milk might carry a vaccine against
  malaria
• (4) To Give Developing Countries A Better Food
  Supply
• genetically engineering seeds might grow in harsh
  conditions, resist disease and grow larger
• might be seen as part of the solution to world
  hunger

6
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• What guidelines must be followed for GM Foods?
• controlled through
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency responsible for
  labeling inspections of GM foods
• Health Canada (Food Drug Act) evaluates
  safety of GM foods
• 50 GM foods have been approved for use in Canada
  corn, soybean, potatoes, tomatoes, canola
• new GM products that have never been on the
  market are called Novel Products / Foods
• companies must notify Health Canada before
  marketing, advertising or selling a novel product
  / food so that safety testing can be completed
• http//www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/gmf-agm/appro/index_e
  .html

7
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods
• labeling is the responsibility of Health Canada
  (Food Drug Act)
• guidelines for labeling
• mandatory labeling if there is a health concern
  ex the novel food contains an a substance that
  might cause an allergy (gene taken from brazil
  nut was transferred to soybean)
• other labeling is voluntary in Canada
• there is a large debate surrounding this issue of
  labeling
• more likely to find ingredients in products that
  are from genetically modified foods rather than
  whole products (many processed foods contain soy)

8
Biotechnology / Bioengineering

• Safety of Genetically Modified Foods
• the position of Health Canada seems to be that
  genetically modified foods are as safe as other
  foods
• nevertheless, consumers have some concerns
• (1) introduction of chemicals that might cause an
  allergic reaction
• (2) long term studies on health have not been
  completed
• (3) ethical issues do we have the right to
  genetically modify (playing God)
• (4) environmental issues what are the affect of
  GM organisms in the ecosystem
• ex pollen from B.t. corn proved harmful to
  caterpillars of monarch butterflies
• ex Gm plants modified to be resistant to
  herbicides might cross with weeds to create weeds
  resistant to herbicide (super weeds)