Genetically Modified Organisms: An Overview and Its Applications

Genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ), are those organisms whose genomes have been artificially engineered in a laboratory to favour a desired trait. These organisms are created using specific techniques like Recombinant DNA technology and Reproductive cloning. This process is also known as genetic engineering.

Keyterms: Recombinant DNA technology, Reproductive cloning, Genetic engineering, Genomes, Desired trait, cytoplasm

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How exactly GMOs are created using the above two methods? 

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In Recombinant DNA technology, one or more genes from one animal are inserted into the DNA of another animal. Whereas, in reproductive cloning, a nucleus is extracted from the desired organism and is inserted into the enucleated cytoplasm egg of the target organism.

Through the years genetic engineering has been evolving and the applications are ever expanding, like nitrogen fixation, biopesticides, plant growth promoter, to biocontrol of plant illnesses, bioremediation, and many other such horticultural practices. Cows giving more milk, faster growing salmons are some examples where genetic modification applied in animals. 

Read More: Biotechnology and its applications

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Applications of Genetic Engineering

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Areas where Genetic Modification in living organisms are carried out have been discussed below - 

• Genetically Modified Plants

Genetically modified crops, also called transgenic crops, are defined as the crops whose genes are modified using genetic engineering techniques. To increase the yield of the crop and to produce disease-resistant crops is the main motive behind GMO.

Examples of a genetically modified crop are Bt Corn, Bt rice, Bt cotton, potato, soybean etc. It was genetically modified with a bacterial insecticide gene to produce insect toxins within cells to protect against pests.

In another case, a novel strain of the Meloidogyne incognita was introduced within the host plant. This destroyed the specific mRNA of the nematode. It created a hostile environment for the parasite and it could not survive within the host plant.

One rice variety was also created to fight iron deficiency and to provide vitamin A. Another organism produced as a result of genetic engineering is Arabidopsis thaliana.

• Genetically Modified Medicines

Genetically modified medicines are a world changing idea. This has not only helped to cure diseases like diabetes, hypertension, but also in treating certain genetic disorders.

Fredrick Banting, the creator of Insulin was the first man who genetically modified medicine created by modifying a gene extracted from the intestine of the pig into a bacterium. Later on, an american company developed a genetically engineered insulin by modifying the E.coli bacteria.

Other examples of Genetically Modified medicines include vaccines, antivenoms, bacteria derived toxins, Immunoglobulins and the like. Even some genetically engineered plants produce edible vaccines which prevent various diseases. 

Apart from medicines, gene therapy can also be carried out to treat a hereditary disease.This kind of treatment was first carried out in 1990 to treat a 4 year old child with adenosine deaminase deficiency syndrome. Recombinant DNA technology is also used to diagnose diseases where conventional methods won’t work.

• Genetically Modified Animals

Genetically modified animals are produced by inserting the desired gene into the target organism. Fish, mosquitoes, pigs, chicken, cows , etc. are some examples of genetically modified animals produced by scientists. In these animals, the embryo is genetically altered by inserting the gene of interest and the resulting animal produced, shows the favourable traits as a consequence of modified genes.

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Advantages of GMOs

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Some of the advantages of GMOs have been discussed below - 

• Greater Maturation speed in plants and animals. The examples are Salmons which grow faster and reach the market demanded size in a short time.
• Improved Pest resistance in horticulture. As seen in Bt cotton , Bt corn , the genetic mutations create toxins for pesticides which resists crop damage.
• Increased number of positive traits in organisms
• Safe and effective treatment of hereditary and other kinds of diseases.
• Expand food resources : As the time is reduced in production of food, the quantity is increased through which food crises and other food related issues could be solved.
• Genetically Modified plants are more tolerant of external conditions such as extreme cold, rain, drought etc. They are also less susceptible to pest attacks. As a result, farmers suffer fewer losses and their income increases. This also leads to overall economic growth.

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Disadvantages of GMOs

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The following are some of the disadvantages of GMOs - 

• The outcomes of GMO’s are uncertain and can have an adverse effect on the natural flow of the ecosystem
• Genetical engineering can drastically affect the nutritional value of plants and animals and may pose risk to human health.
• Excessive production of Genetically modified plants can lead to pests and toxins becoming immune to the toxins present in them. As a result, the whole process will become ineffective. 
• Genetically modified plants contain certain chemicals and toxins to fight against pest and insect attack. However, these plants may release toxins into the soil and contaminate the same.
• Genetic Modification of organisms by human beings also raises some ethical and moral questions.
• Some multinational companies are also patenting genome from plants and other living organisms which are being used by the native and indigenous people of a particular region for a long time.