BY:- (IX-D)

Pratham Gupta
Aham Aggarwal
Aakarshan Rakesh
Paaraj Vohra
Tanmay Kumar
The main aim of Genetically Modified Crops is to create a food that is able to survive even if
any harmful chemicals or pesticides or herbicides are sprayed. Another purpose of genetically
modified crops is to make food stay fresh for a long time.
Gene technology is a type of modern biotechnology that makes use of living things to make or
change product. Some of genetically modified crops and food are corn, tomato, beets,
potatoes, sprouts, rice, wheat, meat, poultry, Processed Foods like Convenience Foods,
Condiments, Salad Dressings, Juice, Soda, Vitamins, Chocolate including many frozen meals,
heat and serve meals.
The Genetically Modified Crops are the foods
that have a gene extracted from a living thing
and placed in a different food by a scientist or
an expert.
A gene is a code that governs how we appear
and what characteristics we have. Genes decide
the color of flowers, and how tall a plant can
grow. The characteristics of a plant will be
transferred to its children the plant seeds,
which grow into new plants. When a scientist
genetically modifies a plant, they insert a
foreign gene in the plant's own genes. The
result is that the plant receives the
characteristics held within the genetic code.
4. The bacterium is allowed to reproduce many times producing lots of copies of the
recombinant DNA.

5. Tomato plant cells are infected with the bacteria. As a result, the antifreeze gene in
the plasmid, in the bacteria becomes integrated into the tomato plant cell DNA.

6. Tomato cells are placed in a growth medium that encourages the cells to grow into
plants.






7. Tomato plant seedling is planted.

8. This GM tomato plant contains a copy of the flounder antifreeze gene in every one
of its cells. The plant is tested to see if the fish gene still works. Yes the plant is frost
resistant.
How to add a fish gene to a tomato

Scientists have created a frost resistant tomato plant by adding an antifreeze gene from a
coldwater fish to it. The antifreeze gene comes from the coldwater flounder, a fish that can
survive in very cold conditions. This is how it was done.

1. The flounder has a gene to make an antifreeze chemical. This is removed from the
chromosomes within a flounder cell.







2. The antifreeze DNA is joined onto a piece of DNA called a plasmid. This hybrid DNA,
which is a combination of DNA from 2 different sources, is known as recombinant DNA.

3. The recombinant DNA, including the antifreeze gene, is placed in a bacterium.


1. Increased economic profits for the farmer
2. Lower prices for the consumer
3. Reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers and insecticides
4. Potentially decreased environmental restriction
5. Potentially increased nutritional benefit
6. Less pesticide is needed to be used due to insect pest resistant plants.
7. More economically friendly as pesticides do not go into the air, soil, and water
(especially freshwater supplies). Their production hazards to the environment also
decreases.
8. Farmers have more income, which they could spend on such things as, for example, the
education of their children.
9. Less starvation in the world due to decreased food prices.
10. More nutritious. This has been proven and tested many times.
11. Rigorous testing of ALL GMO crops and products. This makes GMOs much safer than
organic (the traditional) crops.
12. Scientific development of agriculture, health and related sciences due to the better
understanding of the products. For example, the development of new medicines.
13. Creation of super foods due to better knowledge. Super foods are types of food that
are cheap to produce, grow fast in large quantities, highly nutritious.
14. Reduction of sicknesses and illnesses, as GMO crops are more nutritious. Vitamins and
minerals can be provided to children and to people, where they were inaccessible
before (i.e.: the worlds poorest and/or most secluded areas).
15. Developments of new kinds of crops that can be grown at extreme climates, like, dry or
freezing environments (deserts).
16. As more crops (plants) can be grown and at more places, this decreases global warming
through the increase of oxygen in the environment, decreasing the proportion of
carbon dioxide. GM crops have also made significant contribution to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by over 10 million tonnes. This is equivalent to removing five
million cars from the road every year.
17. Enhancement of the taste and quality of food.
18. Beside humans, livestock and animals are also beneficiaries to the higher nutritious
value of GMO crops. They have an increased resistance and productivity.
19. Beside humans, livestock and animals are also beneficiaries to the higher nutritious
value of GMO crops. They have an increased resistance and productivity.
20. Higher resistance to diseases. Less processing needed in factories. Less factory additives
needed.
21. GMO crops last longer. This decreases the amount of wasted crops and foods.
22. Less machinery requirements.
23. Reduced usage of pesticides and herbicides
24. Allows a much wider selection of traits for improvement: e.g. not only pest, disease and
herbicide resistance (as achieved to date in plants) but also potentially drought
resistance, improved nutritional content and improved sensory properties.
25. Desired change can be achieved in very few generations.
26. Reduces risk of random occurrence of undesirable traits.
27. Prevention of loss of species due to endemic disease.
Effects on Humans

1. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen,
causing an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. An example of this was seen in the
incorporation of a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans.
2. Some studies have shown that it may affect the human digestive system in a number of
ways. The incorporation of substances that may interact badly with one another in food
or in fact be poisonous to people may happen. The modification of certain genes may
make some plant substances unable to digest.
3. There is a concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an
unexpected and negative impact on human health. The effects of GM potatoes on the
digestive tracts in rats concluded that there were appreciable negative differences in the
intestines of rats fed GM potatoes compared to those fed unmodified potatoes.
4. Genetic modification can also make it difficult to know what you are eating, as a plant
could contain animal products via genetic engineering. This could cause issues for those
with dietary restrictions and religious commitments.
5. Reduction of the efficiency of antibiotics.
6. New viruses could evolve from the mass production of GM crops.
7. Vegetarians and Vegans may find it offensive to put animal genes into plants.

Effects on Animals

1. Changing plants may have lasting effects on other organisms in the ecosystem. The
change in a plant may cause it to be toxic to an insect or animal that uses it as its main
food source.
2. Breeding and cross pollination across unintended species could occur resulting in
things such as insect resistant weeds.
3. Pests may develop resistance to GM crops that have been designed to kill them.
4. GM crops may cause harm to the wealth and welfare of animals.
5. Eradication of weeds will have a chain reaction through food chain.
Scientists have always been intrigued by the tomato.
It is the only fruit that is treated like a vegetable and
that has many nutritional benefits when eaten.
To enhance the goodness of tomatoes, scientists
have been trying with the idea of making genetically
modified tomatoes for many years. It was finally in
1994 that the first variety of GM tomatoes were
made. This was known as the Flavr Savr. These were
the transgenic tomatoes made by deactivating a
particular gene in them.
The tomato was the first commercially grown genetically
modified food crop, which was made more resistant to rotting
by Californian company Calgene. The tomatoes were released
into the market in 1994 without any special labeling.
In February 1996, J. Sainsbury and Safeway Stores in the
United Kingdom introduced Europe's first genetically-modified
food product. A variant of the Flavr Savr was used to produce
tomato puree which was sold in Europe during the summer of
1996 and was big success.
How are Tomatoes Modified?

1) Every cell wall of a plant contains a complex carbohydrate known as Pectin. It helps the
plant to be firm and strong as well as help the flow of water in and out of the cell
walls. It is because pectin is found in tomatoes and that is what makes the tomatoes to
ripen and become softer or basically lose its freshness normally. An enzyme
called Polygalacturonase triggers Pectin to do this.








2) In the tomato a particular gene is "deactivated" by a process called Antisense
approach in which a reverse copy (an antisense gene) is transmitted into the plant
genome. The production of the enzyme(involved in fruit softening) polygalacturonase
is suppressed, retarding fruit softening after the harvest. The tomatoes could also be
left to ripen on the vine and still have a long shelf life, thus allowing them to develop
their full flavor. Normally, tomatoes are picked well before they are ripe and are then
ripened artificially.
Advantages of Genetically Modified Tomatoes
>>Genetically-modified tomatoes have an increased shelf life. The
normal shelf life of tomatoes is 15 days but the GM tomatoes
could retain ripeness and a firm texture for over a month.
>>GM tomatoes can tolerate a lengthier transport time. This
means that market gardens can avoid picking tomatoes while they
are green in order that they will tolerate the transport.
>>The producers also have the advantage that all the tomatoes
can be harvested simultaneously.
Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Tomatoes
>>The "original" nutritional value isn't being consumed due to the
fact that the genes were altered within the tomato, which causes the
tomato to lose its original value of all the nutrients that it contains.
>>The genetically modified tomatoes contains genes that made them
resistant to antibiotics. Doctors and vets use antibiotics to fight
infections. These genes spread to animals and people, doctors would
have difficulties fighting infectious diseases.
>>Also there is a threat of the plant gaining undesirable properties.
On October 30, 2008 a team of scientists from
the UK and other European countries created
a genetically modified purple tomato, that
could fight some cancers cardiovascular
disease, age-related degenerative
diseases, diabetes, obesity and other
illnesses. Scientists took genes from the
snapdragon plant (Antirrhinum), inserted
them into tomato plants and grew purple
tomatoes high in anthocyanins, pigments that
occur naturally at high levels in berry fruits
such as the blackberry, cranberry and
blueberry. There is evidence that
anthocyanins protect against some cancers,
cardiovascular disease, age-related
degenerative diseases, diabetes, obesity and
other illnesses.

Golden rice is a strain of rice created in 1999 through genetic engineering. The rice was
created by Ingo Potrykus of the Institute of Plant Sciences at the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology, working with Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg. The work was primarily
funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and took eight years to complete. It was made by
inserting daffodil genes for producing beta-carotene into the rice genome. It has been
genetically modified with increased amounts of beta carotene which gives it a orange
yellow color, hence the name Golden Rice. Once in the body, the beta carotene is then
converted into Vitamin A. Golden Rice has been proposed to help millions of children in
the world who suffer from blindness due to vitamin A deficiencies.
In 2005, a team of researchers at biotechnology
company, Syngenta, produced a variety of golden
rice called "Golden Rice 2" which has 23 times
more beta-carotene than Golden Rice. They claim
just a 144g serving is enough to achieve the
Vitamin A recommended daily intake. In June 2005,
researcher Peter Beyer received funding from
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to further
improve golden rice by increasing the levels of or
the bioavailability of pro-vitamin A, vitamin E, iron,
and zinc, and to improve protein quality
through genetic modification.
Increased Yields
As rice production needs to double in the next 40 years, increased yields will
definitely help achieve this outcome. A new strain developed by the IRRI, dubbed the
"Super Rice", can produce yields of 12.5 tons per hectare. The grains of each panicle
is 2 to 3 times greater than normal rice, and it has sturdier stems which are thicker to
prevent the rice from toppling over.
Climate Change Resistance
Climate change is bringing an increase of floods and droughts, which destroy whole
areas of crops. A strain of GM Rice has been developed by the IRRI to be resistant to
flooding, and it can survive flooded conditions for up to 2 weeks. Another strain of rice
being developed by the IRRI is one that can survive a lack of water.
Disease/Pest Resistance
Strains of GM Rice have been injected with
genes producing toxins that are fatal to certain
pests. Other strains of GM Rice have been
inserted with genes that prevent the crop
being overcome by certain diseases.
Enhanced Nutrition
GM rice can have added vitamins and minerals, to help
with the world's malnutrition and vitamin/mineral
deficiencies problems. The most well known
genetically modified rice that has enhanced nutrition is
Golden Rice. It has been genetically modified with
increased amounts of beta carotene which gives it a
orange yellow color, hence the name Golden Rice.
Once in the body, the beta carotene is then converted
into Vitamin A. Golden Rice has been proposed to help
millions of children in the world who suffer from
blindness due to vitamin A deficiencies.
Excess intake of Vitamins/Minerals
Since rice can be implemented with
added vitamins and minerals, it is
possible for people who eat a lot of
rice to have an excess intake of
vitamins and minerals. One example
is that if GM Rice has had Vitamin A
into it, and a person intakes too much
Vitamin A from eating this rice as well
as other foods and vitamin
supplements, they may suffer from
hypervitaminosis (Vitamin A toxicity).
Environmental Impact
This is the biggest and most important risk associated with GM Rice. There is also the risk
of GM rice which has increased nutrition or are insect/pest/disease resistant and their
affect on other organisms and the ecosystem. Insects, pests and diseases that the GM Rice
is resistant to can have mutations which then cause these organisms to become resistant
to these GM Rice. It is also possible for these insects and pests to die out, causing a huge
disruption in the food chain and ecosystem of that area. GM rice with increased nutrition
can also have effects on organisms that consume the crop.
Health Risks
The affects of GM Rice via
human consumption are still
relatively unknown. Toxins
and proteins produced GM
Rice may have unknown side
effects if consumed over long
periods of time. Also GM Rice
strains that are unapproved
for human consumption can
potentially be leaked and
enter the global food chain.
The following goals need to be met and their related challenges overcome to
make genetic modification of crops effective at global level :-

1. Agricultural biotechnology must be made affordable to developing world farmers.
Unless this condition is met, farmers may not see that it is in their best interest to use
GM crops, despite the significant benefits those crops could provide.

2. There is a need for larger investments in research in the public sector.
Numerous studies have shown the importance of public sector R&D to agricultural
Advancements.

3. To garner the level of public interest and support that can sustain an agricultural
revolution, agricultural development must be regarded as being critically important
from a policy perspective, in both donor and recipient nations.

4. Policymakers in the developing world must set regulatory standards that take into
consideration the risks as well as the benefits of foods derived from GM crops. This
goal is crucial to the cooperation of the many stakeholders that are affected by GM
crops and also for the sustainability of the GM crop movement in the foreseeable
future.
Conclusion
Genetically-modified foods have the potential to solve many of the world's hunger
and malnutrition problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by
increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. Yet
there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of safety
testing, regulation, international policy and food labeling. Many people feel that
genetic engineering is the inevitable wave of the future and that we cannot afford to
ignore a technology that has such enormous potential benefits. However, we must
proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended harm to human health and the
environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.
% of GM crop growth
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