Genetic mutation Genetic mutation Genetic mutation Genetic mutation Genetic mutation Genetic mutation

Genetic mutation

Genetic research genetically modified food

o difficult to store o difficult to transport

watermelons o difficult to store o difficult to transport

The Japanese solved this problem some years ago by developing a square watermelon.

pyramid shaped watermelon Is this art?

Genetic research genetically modified animals

featherless chickens grows faster saves money since growers do not need to take off the feathers

featherless chickens Hebrew University de Rehovot, Israel

The fluorescent fish (GloFish TM ) first genetically modified animal to become available as a pet. fluorescent kittens

mutation

Drosophilae that had been genetically altered spent more time awake and were more active. Drosophila melanogaster ( fruit fly )

possible aging secret in genetically altered fruit fly mutation in the gene that can extend the life span of fruit flies Brown University cellular mechanism that could someday help fight the aging process Drosophilae

Scientists have identified a gene that slows the aging process Biologists, working with fruit flies, activated a gene which increases the activity of mitochondria. UCLA This is the tiny power generators in cells that control cell growth and tell cells when to live and die Drosophilae

The world s first genetically altered human embryo Cornell University Genetic research programs Are we going too far?

American Society of Reproductive Medicine Controversy over the ethics and science of genetically modifying humans. But there is also the positive side of this all.

a genetically altered plant to produce entirely new compounds, some of which could be used as drugs against cancer and other diseases MIT researchers produced the new compounds by manipulating the complex biosynthetic pathways of the periwinkle plant a periwinkle plant

this sort of manipulation offers a new way to improve potential drugs to make them less toxic (and/or more effective). tissue of a periwinkle plant

The Genetic research programs brought a new terminology to the humans modifying food organisms genetically modified organism (GMO) genetically modified crops (GMC) transgenically modified mutagenesis (mutation breeding) selective breeding somaclonal variation biotechnology industry bioengineered crops

DNAis interchangeable among animals, plants, bacteria... any organism! In addition to using traditional breeding methods of improving plants and animals through years of crossbreeding and selection, scientists can now isolate the gene or genes for the traits they want in one animal or plant and move them into another. The plants or animals modified in this way are called transgenic

Scientists have known for years how o to get plants to resist pests and herbicides, or o to produce substances such as insecticides by inserting genes from other plants or animals genetically modified crops

genetically modified crops

bioengineered crops

Despite the growing tide against genetically modified products, they're finding their way (legally) into the food systems in some places. corn is one of the world's most modified crops genetically modified sorghum has been introduced in Africa

genetically modified crops: plants with the DNA modified using genetic engineering techniques Examples: mutagenesis (mutation breeding): an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change Genetic engineering involves the direct modification or alteration of an organism's DNA (not to be confused with animal or plant breeding) In most cases the aim of the genetic research programs is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in this species. o resistance to certain pests, o resistance to diseases or environmental conditions, or o the production of a certain nutrient or pharmaceutical agent

Most bio scientist believe that genetic engineering is a crucial part of modern biology, medicine and scientific research However, modifying DNAhas provoked ethical, political, and social discussions as well as a lot of scientific debate

Genetic engineering it speeds up evolution Evolution is a very slow process Mutation is the raw material of evolution However, mutation in nature do not occurs too often, only very rarely Nevertheless, genetic modified food and animals is being used very often these days, much more than people imagine

In Britain supermarkets are routinely selling food from animals raised on genetically modified crops without having to declare it on labeling They have acknowledged that meat, fish, eggs and dairy products on their shelves could contain indirect genetically modified ingredients Retailers are unable to provide a guarantee that they are not selling products from animals given genetically modified feed

In USA genetically modified foods are completely unlabeled, and people have little idea of where the genes came from that are being put in the food supply only the more expensive organic ranges are certain that their products are without any genetically modified involvement

genetically modified food concerns and controversies: o environmental and ecological issues (regarding crops) o economic concerns (by the fact these organisms are subject to intellectual property law) o human safety trials have never been run on almost all genetically modified food. o is food produced from genetically modified crops safe? o are genetically modified crops really needed to address the world's food needs?

Genetic research on genetically modified organisms is it inevitable? is it positive and valuable science? or are we going too far?

genetically modified food

Obrigado! Thank you! Felippe de Souza felippe@ubi.pt