LESSON 3

GENETICALLY
MODIFIED ORGANISMS:
SCIENCE, HEALTH AND
POLITICS
INTRODUCTION
• Genetic Engineering
 it is the deliberate CHANGING of characteristics of
an organism by MANIPULATING its genetic
material.
• It allows genes from one organism to be inserted
into a cell of a different organism of a different
species.
● Genetic Engineering has been with the human
society since selective breeding was introduced to
humankind and when animals were domesticated.
Yet, the process of genetic alterations is all but
natural.
● Anyway, human beings have been manipulating
genetic makeup for a millenia already (selective
breeding). Example of Gen. Engr. are GMO's
crops.
● It was in 1951 that the term genetic engineering
was coined by Jack Williamson, author of the
science fiction novel Dragon's Island (Stableford,
2004).

● This was years before actual research findings on

the DNA's role in heredity and structure, the
double helix of Watson and Crick, were published.
● Through, continuous search for development,
genetic engineering no longer stayed in science
fiction novel. It became a reality in science
laboratories. The general process of genetic
engineering is the deliberate manipulation of the
organism's genes, where it may involve transfer of
genes from other organisms.
● Genetic Engineering is one of the great Marvel's of
21st Century and they are basically biologically
altered organisms designed for the goal of
humanity.

● Is that illegal or unethical?

 Only genetic engineering of some animals and
humans are considered ethically questionable.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is the term
used for an organism created through genetic
engineering.
• The World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) defines
GMO as an "organism, either plant, animal, or
microorganism, in which the genetic material has been
altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating
or natural recombination.
 01
GMO's in Food and
Agricultural
Industries
 GMO's in Food and Agricultural Industries
● The Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH,
20013) identified the following roles of GMOs in the food and
agricultural industries:
1. Pest Resistance — genetically modified plants to resist certain
pests.
○ An example is Bt Corn.
2. Virus Resistance — genetically modified plants to resist
certain viruses.
○ An example is GM papaya or rainbow papaya.
GMO's in Food and Agricultural Industries
3. Herbicide Tolerance — genetically modified
plants to tolerate herbicide.
○ An example is Roundup Ready Soybean.
4. Fortification — genetically modified plants
fortified with certain minerals.
○ An example is Golden Rice.
GMO's in Food and Agricultural Industries
5. Cosmetic Presentation — genetically modified plants to
resist natural discoloration.
○ An example is Arctic Apple.
6. Increase growth rate — genetically modified organism
that has higher yield in growth than normal species.
○ An example is AquAdvantage Salmon.
 02
GMOs in Non – Food
Crops and
Microorganisms
1. Flower production –
GMOs in flower production
are seen in modified color
and extended life of
flowers.
An example is Blue Roses.
2. Paper production –
Modified characteristics of
trees for higher yield of
paper production.
An example is Poplar tree.
[Link]
productions – modified
plants to produce
pharmaceutical products.
An example is Periwinkle
plants.
4. Bioremediation – use of
modified plants that can
assist in the bioremediation
of polluted sites.
An example is shrub
tobacco.
5. Enzyme and drug
production - use of
modified microorganisms
that can produce enzymes for
food processing and
medicines.
An example is artemesin.
6. GMOs in the medical field -
genetic engineering is playing a
significant role from diagnosis to
treatment of human-dreaded
diseases. It helps in the
production of drugs, gene therapy,
and laboratory researches.
An example is Humulin.
 Benefits of GMOs

Higher Increase in Control in Reduce the use of

efficiency in harvest fertility fertilizer and
farming pesticides

Increase in food Improvement of Nutritional and

processing desirable pharmaceutical
characteristics enhancement
 Potential Human Health Risks caused by GMOs
A major concern in the use and consumption of GMOs is its effect
on human beings, primarily on human health. Some potential
human health risks are identified (Akhter, 2001), such as:
● Consumption of GMOs may have adverse effects since it is not
naturally or organically produced;
● Consumption of GMOs may alter the balance of existing
microorganisms in the human digestive system; production of
toxins may be detrimental to human health; and production of
allergens may have adverse effects on humans.
● Worldwide, there are many groups that campaign against
GMO food consumption. They encourage people to
boycott GMO products and to be vigilant in checking if
the food they buy has GMO ingredients. In the
Philippines, the Supreme Court has ruled against the use
of Bi eggplant, another genetically modified crop
(Ongkiko, 2016).
Other potential risks that raise major concern are:
● Human Genome Project (HGP) - Mapping of human
genes to provide framework for research and studies in the
field of medicine.
● Mutation of genetically engineered microorganisms
Genetically modified bacteria and viruses may mutate to
become more resistant or virulent that may cause more
dreadful diseases for human beings.
● Cloning - The asexual reproduction of an organism using
parent cell through genetic engineering.
 WHO reported three major issues on GMOs that are in
international public debates. These are the potential risks of
allergy reactions, gene transfer/flow, and outcrossing (WHO,
2014).
The primary issue on GMOs presented in public debate
is its unnatural production or what is termed to be a
violation of nature. The creation of new organisms, like
GMOs, posts moral issues on defiance to natural laws.
Another concern is the potential risks to the environment
and human health, to which so much is unknown yet.
 Biosafety on GMOs
There are initiatives for the protection of the general human
population regarding the issues and concerns about GMOs.
Some of these initiatives are as follows:
● Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex).
Codex is an intergovernmental body that develops the
Codex Alimentarius, know us the International Food Code.
Codex is responsible for the development of standards, codes of
practices, guidelines, and recommendations on food safety.
With the pressing issues and concerns on GMOs.
 Biosafety on GMOs
● Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Established in 2003, Cartagena Protocol is an
international environmental treaty that regulates the
transboundary movements of Living Modified Organisms
(LMOs). The Cartagena Protocol requires exporters to seek
consent from the importers before its first shipment of
LMOs (WHO, 2014).
 Biosafety on GMOs
● International Trade Agreement on labeling of GM
food and food products.
The agreement requires exporters of GM food and food
products to label their products and give rights to importing
parties to reject or accept the GM products. The premise of
this policy is that consumers have the right to know and the
freedom to choose GM or non-GM products (Whitman,
2000).
 The World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) claims
that all GM products that are available in the international
market have passed safety assessment by national authorities.
The safety assessments basically look at the environmental
and health risk factors and food safety usually follows the
Codex Food Code.
 GMOs in Philippine Context
Introduction of GMOs in our country created issues and
controversies similar to other countries with GMOs. There
are, of course, proponents and opponents of these issues.
● The GMO concern started in the 1990s with the creation
of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines
(NCBP) through Executive Order No. 430 of 1990.
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● The NCBP developed the guidelines on the planned release
of genetically manipulated organisms (GMOs) and
potentially harmful exotic species in 1998.
● In 2002, the Department of Agriculture released
Administrative Order No. 8, the guideline for the
importation and release into the environment of GM plants
and plant products.
● On that same year, the entry of GMO importation started
(Baumuller, 2003).
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● The Philippines was marked to be the first country in Asia
to approved commercial cultivation of GMOs when GM
com planting was approved in 2002 (Serapio & Dela Cruz,
2016).
● From December 2002 to present, there are 70 GMO
applications approved by the Department of Agriculture for
the release to the environment, 62 GMOs of which are
approved for food feed and processing and the remaining 8
were approved for propagation (Aruelo, 2016).
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● In 2004. the Philippines was classified by International
Service for acquisition of agri-biotech applications as one of
the fourteen biotechmega countries which grow 50,000
hectares or more of GMO crops annually (James, 2004), In
that same year, Senator Juan Flavier authored a bill on the
mandatory labeling of food and food products with GMOs.
The Senate did not pass the bill.
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● In 2006, the Philippines became part of the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety. In the same year, Executive Order No.
514 was issued to address the biosafety requirements of the
Cartagena Protocol and the establishment of the National
Biosafety Framework (NBF),
● In 2010, the Organic Agriculture Act was issued,
encouraging organic agriculture than GMO-related
agriculture. (Aruelo, 2016).
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● In 2012, Representative Teddy Casino, together with
congressmen, filed a bill pushing for the mandatory labeling
of food products. To date, there is no Philippine biosafety
regulations formed under NBF.

● A study on the biosafety regulations of the Philippines

concluded that the existing regulation is weak, which can be
fixed through legislation such as a republic act (Richmond,
2006).
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● In December 2015, the Supreme Court ordered to put an
end to the field testing of GMO Br eggplant and declared
Administrative Order No. 8, series of 2002 of the
Department of Agriculture as null and void.
● This means that any actions or procedures related to GMO
importations and propagation is temporarily put to stop
until a new administrative order is issued in accordance
with the law.
 GMOs in Philippine Context
● In March 7, 2016, five government agencies namely, the
Department of Science and Technology, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Department of Health, and Department of the
interior and Local Government.
 Passed a Joint Department Circular No. 1, series of 2016
on rules and regulations for the research and development,
handling and use, transboundary movement, release in the
environment, and management of the genetically modified
plant and plant products derived from the use of modern
biotechnology. This joint department circular paves way to
issuance of new permits for planting and importing GM
crops in the country.
Thank
You!