Question

This week you are introduced to Biotechnology, a topic that has many aspects but the one that seems to provoke the most interest is the productions of Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs. Many students are surprised how many GMO foods they are already eating and there is a lot of debate as to whether or not GMO foods are bad for consumption. The discussion for this and next week will be about GMO foods. Here is what you need to do:

1. Watch the YouTube video, How are GMOs Created at http://youtu.be/2G-yUuiqIZ0

2. Answer the following questions:

• What disease was attacking the Papayas in Hawaii?
• Where did they move growing hoping to avoid the disease?
• What year did this concept of biotechnology begin?
• What method did the researchers use to make the genetic change?
• How much increase did the new Rainbow fruit produce over the non-GMO fruit?
• How many years was testing done to receive approval?

3.  Recently the European Union voted to allow member nations to each decide their own rules for GMO foods. Read the article, “GM crops to be fast-tracked in UK following EU vote” at http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/gm-crops-be-fast-tracked-uk-following-eu-vote-311313

4. write a statement that is at least 300 words that support the use of GMO foods.

5.  Find any other article or video that helps support your position and be sure to clearly reference any article that you use as a reference.

Answer 1

1 . GMO are created through genetic engineering. The step include:

I. Isolation of gene ressistance for virus infection present in the virus coat protein.

II. Cloning of this gene .

III. Inserting of gene into the papaya plant genome.

IV. Transformation of this gene.

V. Expression of this gene into protein.

2.

I. The papaya was attacked by the disease is "papaya ring spot virus".

II. They move from oahu island to Pune.

III. This concept of biotechnology start in the year 1985.

IV. The reserachers used genetic engineering to make the genetic change.

V. The Rainbow fruit show 25X (times) increase in production over non-GMO food.

VI. 7 years were testing required to receive the approval from FDA and USDA.