Transcript 7/2

Biotechnology
Exam #3 W 7/9
Human resource production and use
Worldwide Grain Production
per Person
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update69.htm
~60 percent of the world grain harvest is consumed as food,
~36 percent as feed, and ~3 percent as fuel. While the use of
grain for food and feed grows by roughly 1 percent per year,
that used for fuel is growing by over 20 percent per year.
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update69.htm
Land use in USA, 1997
Artificial
Selection
(breeding)
HunterGatherer
Industrial
Agricultural
Modern cows were
bred from earlier
bovine species.
from Teosinte
Maize
By artificial selection that
began ~10,000 years ago.
Different foods
from one
species of plant.
Created by
artificial
selection.
Wild member of Brassica oleracea:
small side buds
Artificial selection
Number of Individuals
1. Select individuals
that have the largest
side buds and breed
them.
2. Of the offspring,
select individuals that
have the largest side
buds and breed them.
3. Of the offspring,
select individuals that
have the largest side
buds and breed them.
4. After several
generations, bud size
increases dramatically.
0
Brussels sprouts:
extremely large side buds
1
2
Size of buds (cm)
3
Agricultural
HunterGatherer
Industrial
Genetic Engineering: Direct manipulation of DNA
nucleus
from DNA:
the Information
DNA
RNA
cytoplasm
to proteins:
the Actors
protein
We can now insert new genes or modify
existing genes of organisms
CB 20.2
Millions of Hectares
Global area planted with GM crops
http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/257.global_gm_planting_2006.html
Texas =
70 ha
% of Total US Acres
Common GM Crops in the U.S.
http://blog.wired
.com/wiredscien
ce/2007/09/mon
santo-ishap.html
Why Change a Plant’s DNA?
• Can change plant so that it has new
or different characteristics
– Produce needed protein
– Insect resistance (Bt toxin)
– Herbicide resistance (Round-up)
– Drought or other stress resistance
Types of Genetically Modified Crops
Herbicide Tolerance; Insect Resistance; Viral Resistance
% of Total US Acres
Common GM Crops in the U.S.
http://blog.wired
.com/wiredscien
ce/2007/09/mon
santo-ishap.html
Is Genetically Modifying Plants a Good Idea?
Texas =
70 ha
http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/257.global_gm_planting_2006.html
Is Changing an Organism’s DNA
a Good or Bad Idea?
• Genes flow within species and between
species.
• Are GM foods safe for the
environment?
• Are herbicide or insect resistant plants
safe to eat?
• Are GM foods profitable for:
– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?
Pollution in Gulf of
Mexico from run-off in
the Mississippi river
Qu i c k T i m e ™ a n d a T I F F (U n c o m p re s s e d ) d e c o m p re s s o r a re n e e d e d t o s e e t h i s p i c t
Pollen is easily transferred from plant to plant,
and to related species.
Genetic information moves.
GM crops found
in Oaxaca and
other MX states
GM crops illegal
Genetic information moves,
and is self-replicating.
GM crops found
in Oaxaca and
other MX states
GM crops illegal
Is Changing an Organism’s DNA
a Good or Bad Idea?
• Genes flow within species and between
species.
• Are GM foods safe for the
environment?
• Are herbicide or insect resistant plants
safe to eat?
• Are GM foods profitable for:
– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?
N. Am. Forest
An interconnected
ecosystem
Qu i c k T i m e ™ a n d a T IF F (Un c o m p re s s e d ) d e c o m p re s s o r a re n e e d e d t o s
Danger of GM crops to other organisms
Danger of GM crops to other organisms
Danger of GM crops to other organisms
Danger of GM crops to other organisms
Danger of GM crops to other organisms
Many Questions, but Few
Answers?
• Genes flow within species and between
species.
• Are GM foods safe for the
environment?
• Are herbicide or insect resistant plants
safe to eat?
• Are GM foods profitable for:
– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?
% of Total US Acres
Common Genetically Modified Crops
Starlink corn
Many Questions, but Few
Answers?
• Genes flow within species and between
species.
• Are GM foods safe for the
environment?
• Are herbicide or insect resistant plants
safe to eat?
• Are GM foods profitable for:
– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?
Where does the information
about genetically modified foods
come from?
Many Questions, but Few
Answers?
• Genes flow within species and between
species.
• Are GM foods safe for the
environment?
• Are herbicide or insect resistant plants
safe to eat?
• Are GM foods profitable for:
– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?
Patents give 17 year monopoly for
inventor
Examples of current patents:
•Atryn- antithrombin produced in transgenic
goats (in milk) has anti-clotting properties
•Evolutec has patents on proteins in tick saliva
for use as anti-inflammatory
•GTG in Australia has patents on non-coding
human DNA for detecting risk af various
diseases
•Harvard patented cancer susceptible mouse
•Over 70 U.S. patents for use of Indian neem
tree
Neem, say the women, helps babies sleep, keeps
flies away, is a cosmetic, a disinfectant and a
pesticide. Its leaves make good cattle fodder, its
twigs are good for teeth and gums. It is used, they
say, for snake bites, malaria, hysteria, high blood
pressure, pain relief, skin diseases and a host of
other ailments.
Over 70 U.S. patents for use
of Indian neem tree
Neem, say the women, helps babies sleep, keeps
flies away, is a cosmetic, a disinfectant and a
pesticide. Its leaves make good cattle fodder, its
twigs are good for teeth and gums. It is used, they
say, for snake bites, malaria, hysteria, high blood
pressure, pain relief, skin diseases and a host of
other ailments.
Over 70 U.S. patents for
use of Indian neem tree
One was rejected due to
previous use in indigenous
Indian culture
Concerns of developing nations vs.
industrialized countries
Bioprospecting
Lack of research on third world problems.
(tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, dysentery…
Not profitable.
Where does the information
about genetically modified foods
come from?
Millions of Hectares
Global area planted with GM crops
http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/257.global_gm_planting_2006.html
Texas =
70 ha
Biotechnology
Exam #3 W 7/9