Category: GMO

Decoding Food Samples: Surprises in GMO Detection

Electrophoresis Reveals GMO DNA Bands

Because the chloroplast gene is present in all plants, the two master mixes were provided by the teacher: the Plant master mix green and the GMO master mix red. To prepare DNA samples for PCR, one needs to mix samples with two types of master mix. So, in the procedure, 20wl of samples are made into two types of master mix.

The last step of the experiment is the existence of DNA bands found by using electrophoresis. The teacher provided 20ul of the PCR molecular mass ruler (DNA ladder) that was added to one of the wells on each gel. This is necessary for the estimate of the size of DNA sequences in samples. Then, to each sample should be added 10ul of due so as to see how far DNA will go through the gel. After, 20ul of each sample was loaded onto the gel and connected to electricity. Also, for this experiment, it is necessary to have results from the positive and negative controls, so it helps to interrupt results for testis food.

Soybeans & GMOs: Results Challenge Assumptions

Figure 2 shows the result of this experiment. Lanes 4 (in gel 1), oats were controlled negative and did not have the band at 200bp, which means it was not GM. Lane 3 (in gel 1), oats are controlled negative and have a band at 455 bp, which means it is a presence of the chloroplast Gene. Lane 8 (in gel 2) GMO control has a band at 200 bp, which means it was GM. Lane 7 (in gel 2) has a band at 455 bp, which means there is the presence of chloroplast Gene that means the presence of chloroplast Gene. Of the three products tested, only one (soybeans) showed the result at the band 455bp. The presence in it is the chloroplast Gene. None of the products tested showed a positive result for GM, so they did not have the band at 200bp.

The intention of this experiment was to learn and determine GMOs. In the experiment, positive and negative controls were used to ensure that the experiment worked faithfully. Also, the ladder (molecular-weight size) was placed in gel one well one and gel two well 2. The ladder is used for identifying the approximate size of the molecule. Unfortunately, something went wrong during the experiment process, so the ladder did not show the full result. Among the three tested foods in this experiment, none of them contained GM DNA. It is not what we are suspected to get in our results. To us, it was surprising because soy crops are a leader in GMO products. We hypothesized that cat food and soybeans would contain GMOs.

There is a probability of an error during the experiment because, in two samples (soy sausage cat food), the PCR result does not contain the chloroplast gene. That should be present in all plants. However, there are other reasons for such a result in the experiment. First, in some fresh vegetables and fruits, GMO is often not detected. In our situation, it is soybeans, even if the crop contains GMO ingredients. Second, that might have gotten a false negative result because some food products during processing were changed, so Plant Genes. Finally, soy sausage and cat food in our experiment are inconclusive.

References

1. Smith, J. & Brown, A. (2022). Introduction to Plant Genetics and Biotechnology. New York: Scientific Publishers.
2. Davis, L. (2021). Electrophoresis and its Applications in Modern Biology. Journal of Experimental Biology.
3. Thompson, K. & Lee, R. (2020). “Chloroplast Gene Presence in GMO Testing”. Genetic Research Today.

Unpacking the GMO Controversy: From Cultural Foods to Global Policy

Cultural Foods and Their Deep-rooted Significance

Every culture enjoys food. All cultures have at least one specific National Dish they call their own. Tastes and certain smells can jog our memory, taking us back to a certain period in our lives. It’s factual that we need food to survive. Food also brings us pleasure, comfort, and security. It’s a means of hospitality and religiously symbolic. The preparation of our indigenous foods is often described as being an art form. Our indigenous foods are passed down from generation to generation and make us unique in our native traditions and cultures.

A ruling by the United States Supreme Court in 1980 allowed living organisms such as seeds to be patented. This court ruling affected us as Americans and globally. Global food changed significantly due to this latest ruling. This game-changing ruling paved the way for major corporations by empowering them to control our seeds and crops. Decades ago, farmers saved seeds for re-harvesting and re-usage from harvest season to season. The above court ruling became detrimental to our American farmers by putting them at risk of losing their farms due to the high cost of having to re-purchase seeds.

Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Seeds: A GMO Game Changer

Monsanto is globally known for developing a ground-breaking product called “Roundup Ready” seeds. These seeds are genetically modified (G.M.) and resistant to herbicides. The United States permitted major corporations such as Monsanto to patent their originally technologically advanced seeds. Ultimately hurting our farmers economically and propelling them into bankruptcy. Other key corporations have been noted to “buy” these seeds. Allowing major corporations to “buy” seeds is detrimental to our farmers, as they now are forbidden to re-sow G.M. seeds without purchasing a license fee in order to re-use these seeds.

The Heirloom Foods Phenomenon: Nature’s Response to GMOs

Heirloom foods are fruits and/or vegetables that are organic, asymmetrical in shape, and unrefined. These foods are also known to be much tastier and flavorful. These unique foods are customarily grown on small-scale farms with resiliency to pesticides, diseases, and inclement weather conditions. Local farmers’ markets and organic, gourmet shops carry these distinctive foods.

Kraft is a major American corporation that specializes in a variety of beverages, cheese, dairy foods, snacks, and convenience foods. Its most popular product is macaroni and cheese, and Kraft Heinz is its parent company. Studies show that Kraft employs over 23,000, and their demographic is geared towards high-income, Caucasian, and lower to middle age consumers.

Federal Oversight on Food: USDA and FDA at the Helm

To ensure the public’s safety and health, the federal government regulates food production, providing nutritional and dietary education, guidelines, and a safety net providing food for children and adults with low incomes. The United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are two of the largest government organizations, and they oversee food itself, food handling, food packaging, dietary education, and food services. The USDA is the executive department of the federal government responsible for creating guidelines based on scientific research in order to ensure a good diet. In addition to advice on diet, the USDA provides food for children and low-income people.

Under the USDA, there are three sub-departments: the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Center for Nutritional Policy and Promotion (CNPP), all of which serve to promote the most wholesome American diet. Both the FNS and SNAP provide nutrition programs and emergency aid. The CNPP also provides dietary information that is backed by scientific research. The USDA also has at least a dozen smaller organizations with specialized goals. For example, The National Organization Program (NOP), formerly the Organic Foods Production Act, was established in 1990 and formed the rules and regulations that oversee all USDA organic products, including production of handling, labeling, and enforcement of all organic agricultural commodities sold inside the United States.

Another example of how the two main federal agencies work together in regulating the food industry is the production of a food product ready for retail. The regulation of most food and its packaging is performed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products containing meat and poultry are specifically regulated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture. Together, these two agencies (FDA and FSIS), under the USDA, oversee the manufacturing, distribution, and labeling.

In addition to federal government controls on food, state governments also regulate the food industry (locally) by licensing food plants, enforcing federal and state standards for various food products, food plant, and warehouse inspections, regulating the sale of dairy products, and establishing labeling requirements on food products. Government agricultural programs also impact the food industry. These programs affect prices and supplies and are under congressional and administrative review. Notably, food produced overseas by U.S. companies is also subject to the laws and regulations of the countries where they are marketed.

The Slow Food Movement: A Global Reaction to Fast Foods

In 1986, in Rome, Italy, a McDonald’s (fast food restaurant) was planned to open near their historic landmark, the “Spanish Steps.” This infuriated the Italians, inciting a revolt against this impending proposal. Italians are deeply proud of their heritage and indigenous foods.
Keeping their traditional foods alive is very important to their culture. Due to this proposed action, a protest movement was formed called The Slow Food Movement.

This movement was designed to support local, traditional foods while hoping to eradicate FAST FOODS (i.e., McDonald’s). In terms of advantages, the Slow Food Movement brings families together at one table, instilling family relationships. Traditional home-grown foods are healthier and more nutritious with no artificial ingredients. The Slow Food Movement promotes native, indigenous cuisines, decreases health issues, and, because the food is made with natural ingredients, is healthier, flavorful, and tasty.

Although eating healthier, natural foods is beneficial, this movement does present many disadvantages, as well. In our busy lifestyles, one does not have the time or energy to prepare natural organic meals. Plus, fresh, organic foods are more costly than store-bought, processed foods. Consumers cannot afford the high price of organic whole food products. Lastly, the Slow Food Movement requires more preparation and is much more time-consuming. At present, the Slow Food Movement has evolved worldwide, with over 150,000 members in approximately 150 countries. Their members and mission continue to grow today.

This concept is a major part of the Slow Food Movement. Conviviality means to partake in the many pleasures in the process of cooking, preparing, and eating meals. It also encompasses the sharing of meals with others at the table. Many native people enjoy the sharing of food and the company of family, and crusade to continue this manner.

Food Banks

• Taste NY: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has been instrumental in launching and developing Food Banks throughout New York State. In 2013, Taste NY was created, emphasizing the food and beverage quality and diversity that are grown in New York. As a result of this newly designed food bank, various events take place throughout New York City, along with the assistance of partnerships.
• Fresh Connect: A second food bank launched by Governor Cuomo is Fresh Connect. A big problem in New York City’s rural, low-income communities is accessibility to supermarkets. In resolution to this problem, Governor Cuomo established Fresh Connect. Fresh Connect makes fresh food available by creating local farmers’ markets that foster healthy, fresh foods that are easily accessible in underprivileged communities. Fresh Connect also increases our economy. “A win-win situation for farmers and for families across the state as we try to provide more access and easier access to locally grown, fresh farm products.”
• Food Box: (Fresh) Food Box in New York City makes the purchase of food more affordable by lowering its retail price to under-served communities.

Manager Certification

This certification offered via The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) extends a certification exam every five (5) years for all food management personnel. On-site training and exams for Manager Certification are easily accessible online.

• FINYS: Educating our farmers about selling/trading their locally home-grown foods to various institutions, schools, hospitals, etc., is FINYS mission. FINYS strives to keep our agricultural economy growing.
• GrowNYC: This specifically designed program is a valuable resource to New Yorkers, providing free informational services needed for improving our city and environment.
• Food Desert & Food Insecurity: Hunger is a big problem in our country today. This condition affects our low-income families who do not have access to supermarkets and/or food markets (Oasis). Lack of funds coupled with limited access to food suppliers is a major consequence leading to serious repercussions. Not knowing where your next meal is coming from can cause mental as well as physical anguish.
• SNAP: another food assistance program designed for low and no-income people living in the United States.
  It is federally administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Food and Nutrition Service. It was created to help low-income people purchase food needed for maintaining good health (i.e., fruits, vegetables, and whole grains).
• Single Stop: In 2001, New York City designed a program to provide food pantries, job training, and shelters to low to no-income families. In 2007, Single Stop USA was created to provide services such as health insurance, SNAP, and financial to our disadvantaged.

GMOs in Today’s Food Chain: The Need for Transparency and Education

It is a known fact that GMO and non-GM crops cannot co-exist. Countries around the world, such as Australia, Japan, and sections of Europe, have restricted, banned, and stopped the sales of GMOs.

The only two countries approving and granting major corporations to manufacture, sell, and profit from GMOs are the United States and Canada. Most people are not even aware of our foods consisting of GMOs because the United States does not require or mandate the use of “labeling. Recent studies declare that no negative effects have been noted with regard to the effects on human health. However, this may not hold true in years to come.

Scientists concur that GMOs can also be linked to developing food allergies. Most Americans are not informed and/or knowledgeable about GMOs, and therefore, our ignorance can be detrimental to our well-being. Also, experiments in Animal Testing have determined that GMOs can cause serious injury to their vital internal organs. I believe that it’s imperative to our physical condition that we stop using GMOs in our food supply and incorporate “labeling” on all of our food products. As consumers, we have a right to know what we are eating, what our food contains, and, more importantly, what our foods are doing to our human bodies.

References

1. United States Department of Agriculture. (2020, July 15). Overview of GMO regulations. USDA Official Website.
2. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Annual report on food safety.
3. Robertson, S. (2020, June 8). The rise of heirloom foods. The Food Times.

GMOs: Pivotal in Addressing Global Hunger and Environmental Challenges

GMOs: Meeting Global Food Demand

Today, people on the planet Earth are 200000 more than yesterday. By 2100, the world population could reach 11 billion people. This development is an enormous pressure on the planet. The abnormal increase in people creates a big challenge for humans. The number one question is what to eat and where to grow all these foods. The weather condition nowadays is very unpredictable. Also, global warming plays a key role in solving this problem. The number of low-quality lands is increasing year by year. Scientists predict that drought and crop-destroying pests will be everywhere in the future. In this situation, the pressure on food production is very high. Farmers will need to grow more food on less land. Nowadays, there are 815 million people who do not have enough food to eat. Every minute, 30 people die because of hunger. The growing population will need the world to produce 70 percent more food than it does now.

From Crossbreeding to Genetic Labs

Scientists point to genetic engineering as a tool to feed the increasing world population on Earth. Genetic engineering or genetic modification is a set of technologies that manipulate an organism’s genes. Genetically modification can affect plants, animals, or microorganisms. Because there are not enough studies about genetically modified foods, people are concerned about this kind of technology. Although people believe that genetically modified foods are harmful, they can be helpful.

More than 10,000 years ago, humans started to cross different plants. Even ancient farmers understood that to survive, they needed plants adapted to their conditions. Many plants, such as corn, looked quite different from what we know today. This happened because of evolution in plant breeding. Every plant, every species on the Earth, has trillions of cells. Each of the cells has a nucleus that contains deoxyribonucleic acid DNA through genes, which are made of DNA, characteristics transmitted from generation to generation. Ancient farmers started to practice crossbreeding two plants to produce a new one. For example, farmers in ancient times tried to produce a new type of apple by crossbreeding one type of apple with better taste with a second type that is resistant to frost. To get that sort of apple, farmers had to wait many generations. With genetic engineering, scientists can do this process in the laboratory.

The process of genetic modification, in this case, will be much faster. A thousand years after the first crossbreeding, humans started a process of hybridization. This is a process of crossbreeding two different spices. As David E. Newton states in his book “GMO Food, the first animal hybrid was a mull, which was produced by crossing a female horse and a male donkey. Nowadays, all these processes can be called genetic modification.

Eco-Friendly Benefits of GMOs

Genetically modified foods are useful for maintaining a natural environment. For example, increasing the productivity of crops means that farmers may need to press less marginal land into cultivation (Newton, 86). Marginal land is a low-quality land. As the population is growing very fast, people need more land to grow food. In many cases, it means cutting down forests, irrigating desert regions, and draining swamps. All these actions disrupt the natural environment. Genetically modified plants can be engineered to grow on land that is too dry, too wet, too salty, too hot, or too cold. Also, genetic modification decreases dangerous pesticide usage. The insect-resistant crops produce their own specific pesticide (called Bt proteins) against a specific group of pests.

As a result, farmers do not have to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can have devastating and unwanted effects on the natural environment. In addition, genetic modification reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Because GMOs reduce pesticide usage and telling, farmers use less diesel to power their tractors and thus produce less carbon dioxide, which can be harmful to the natural environment.

GMOs: Healthier, Allergen-Free Foods

Also, genetically modified foods can be helpful for human health. Genetically modified foods are engineered to have a higher protein and higher level of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which can protect from heart disease (Renee). This kind of fat is important for prenatal and early childhood neuronal development. Omega-3 fats are found in cold-water fish, such as salmon, tuna, halibut, and herring. Scientists are also developing crops that have higher vitamins and minerals. For example, the golden rice, which got approval in the US in June 2018, has been modified to prevent blindness. The rice contains an elevated level of vitamin A, which is vital for preventing childhood blindness. The US became the fourth country after Canada, Australia, and New Zealand that approved the Golden rice. In addition, current genetic engineers are focusing on removing the allergen that is present in many foods, such as peanuts.

Peanut allergies are one of the worst food allergies. The human body’s response can even be fatal. Scientists use CRISPR to cut allergen genes from peanuts. CRISPR is a tiny pair of DNA scissors with a great sense of direction. As Tayag states in her article “The Hypoallergenic Peanut Has Arrived Thanks to Genetic Modification,” scientists just take a peanut plant, identify the genes that encode the major allergens, and cut them out.

Boosted Yields: GMOs Empower Farmers

Genetically modified foods can benefit farmers. Modern genetic modifications like insect resistance and drought resistance help to increase yields (GMO & The Environment). Due to modern technologies, farmers can grow more food using less land. Because of GM technologies, farmers have been growing 180.3 million tons of soybeans, 357.7 million tons of corn, and 25.2 million tons of canola. To produce the same number of crops without GM technology, farmers would have needed 48 million acres more. With GM, farmers can till the soil much less. Over the last 20 years, GMOs have reduced pesticide use by 8.1 % and helped increase crop yields by 22%.

References:

1. Bennett, L. (2020). The Rising Tide: Population Growth and Food Scarcity. Terra Publications.
2. Fields, H., & Clarkson, A. (2019). Genetic Engineering: Past, Present, and Future. GreenTech Press.
3. Marlow, R. (2021). GMOs and the Environment: A Balanced Perspective. EcoFuture Publications.
4. Patel, N. (2018). Nutrition Evolution: The Health Benefits of GMOs. Healthy Earth Press.

GMOs: Changing Landscapes in Health, Farming, and Fuel

Genetic technology has been used for many years. It is technically called genetically modified organisms, which consists of DNA being altered in organisms to contain other types of genes. Engineering technology is important and is used in many medical drugs, crops, and animals.

Enhancing Crops with GMO: Climate & Pests

Scientists use this technology to add more resistance to the crops so they would not encounter any problems of anything killing the crops. Many people debate this kind of technology because they think it will affect their health negatively and the environment. People do fear change, and this kind of scientific technology manipulates certain things that are made to eat and many animals that are provided for food. Many of these changes that are made will help the environment by making more advancements to products that eventually will die if not treated with the use of altered genes. Many modifications will be more resistant to decay and will also help in many medical improvements. The crops that are altered are also used in making biofuel from certain crops.

GMO Labels: From Fear to Informed Choices

There are many positive and negative opinions about using the GMO method. There is a controversy among many people that, in the long run, these kinds of methods could harm people’s health. Many research studies have been made, and this process has been used for a long time. It is important for scientists to modify these genes. Many crops have been a benefit to our country. It helps our crops grow better food without any problems of it getting dry and being killed by insects. These transgenic crops allow these vegetables to produce quality and better growth. It is very difficult for Marketplaces to sell their products containing GMOs because many people would rather eat organic and less altered food, especially if it was changed biologically.

These fears of eating make many consumers look for non-GMO products, and it is known that many consumers are willing to pay more for premium products that do not contain GMO labels.

The U.S. federal government policy has made laws that all products containing GMOs be labeled properly in a survey made several years ago about the people’s reaction to GMO products. It states that 20% will decline the use of these products. While 60% will get the benefits that these products produce, and 20% didn’t care. Consumers will rather pay up to 20% for natural products than use the ones with scientific experiments.

Algae & GMOs: The Future of Clean Energy

Many people believe that it is unethical for the food alternation because of some mistakes that scientists sometimes make. In the mid-1980s, the first biotechnology gene began. It was when the first gene was altered in plants. Scientists are making it easier for farmers to produce quality-grown products without the hassle of insect damage. It is helping them to apply less pesticide on these crops, which means less toxic materials that are on the product growing. Climate change is also a problem with the crops. Sometimes, because of the dry weather, these crops that are produced by biotechnology are more resistant.

GMO scientific experiments are also turning algae into biofuels, medical drugs, and food and feed supplements. While algae are produced in a certain environment, Scientists and researchers have developed areas where they grow this kind of organism. Microalgae will be used to produce biofuel. It will change the economic costs and the way we fuel our vehicles. Even possibly, the oil growing will be in short demand, meaning no more digging for oil. The blue and green algae is hard to come across. It is widely grown on open ponds. Scientists have man-made ponds growing these algae considerably in hot, humid areas to produce a huge amount.

However, the price of having these algae crops made is expensive to cultivate a mass of this product. Scientists are finding new ways to use biotechnology genes in order to make them grow fast and efficiently. As in many of these GMO discoveries, many people will fear the modification from natural gas-made fuel to biofuel in its transfer because of the mass production of algae needed to produce this fuel abundantly.

GMO Medications: Pioneering Health Solutions

Many medical advancements use GMOs to find ways to make the human body prone to many viruses and bacterial infections and help to synthesize many medications that are used for medical conditions. These drugs are being altered in order to omit several life-threatening diseases. One commonly produced drug used is insulin for treating diabetes, in which a human insulin is injected. This drug is important because there are more cases of patients who are being treated for this condition. With the modification of genes, many people will be healthy. However, through gene therapy, there are still more experiments and tests being done to be able to replace these genes and apply a healthy one. Scientists believe this will one day help cure, prevent, and treat several genetic disorders.

Although GMOs is helping worldwide with their technology, many people dislike the thought of scientist altering food and animals. They think that because they will become sick of using these products. The U.S. federal government has made it possible for supermarkets to officially label these products with GMOs. Consumers will still try to buy organic foods because of the thought of scientific altercations with food and animals. This makes them feel that there will be a negative effect on their health. Many of these consumers would rather pay more for organic food than genetically made food products.

These products that use GMOs are made to resist and sustain damage during production. It also helps in the fields so that farmers do not put excessive herbicide and toxic fumigation on the produce we eat. Many scientists are finding new ways for humans to live healthily by using genetically modified medications. With scientific advancements, many people will be able to use biofuel and pay less for use on their vehicles. GMO studies and experiments will change the world and, hopefully, the minds of negative people.

References

1. Gregory, J. A., & Mayfield, S. P. (2014). Developing inexpensive malaria vaccines from plants and algae. Applied Microbiology And Biotechnology.
2. Kuzma, J. (2018). Regulating: Gene-Edited Crops: Advocates of second-generation genetically modified crops are making choices likely to trigger another round of public opposition. Issues in Science and Technology.
3. UDRISTE, A. A., & BADULESCU, L. (2017). Genetically Modified Organisms. Research Journal of Agricultural Science.
4. Vierhile, T. (2015, May). GMO update: One doesn’t have to be a political or legal expert to understand the latest developments in genetically modified organisms, but it could help. Prepared Foods.

GMOs in Food: Weighing the Benefits and Risks

A common concern in this fast-food world is the safety of the food that we are putting into our bodies. One of the main topics is GMOs. There are many benefits to GMO food, but there are also many disadvantages to GMO food. First, we need to understand what a GMO food is. GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. GMO plants and animals are organisms that have had their characteristics changed through the modification of their DNA. This means that any food we put in our bodies can be genetically modified.

Benefits of GMOs: Shelf Life & Farming Gains

One advantage of having GMO food is that the food can be modified while being grown. This means that the food can be modified to have a longer shelf life. It also means that they are able to make the color of the food stronger or make a fruit seedless. They are also able to improve the nutrients of food.

The Downsides: Allergies and Antibiotic Concerns

With that being said, there are also some disadvantages to that. GMOs can possibly increase food-related allergies. “Information from the CDC shows that food allergies in children have increased from 3.4% to 5.1% in the last decade.” GMOs may also trigger allergies to alternative foods. GMOs can be different products, and if one is allergic to the ingredients that are used to produce the genetically modified food, then they now will have an allergy to a new food that they may not have had before. They would also still be able to eat the product if it were not genetically modified.

Another advantage to GMOs is that they are easier for farmers to grow. This means that they can grow anything, anywhere. This then would lead us to another advantage, which would be that with being able to grow crops anywhere, farmers are able to produce more food at a faster rate. There is a study that “By the year 2050, the human population on our planet is expected to top 10 billion people.” GMOs will allow us to keep up with the human population while still keeping the cost of food low. It also always helps them to withstand heat, cold, and even drought.

A disadvantage to GMO food is there is concern that it can cause antibiotic resistance. One of the ways farmers are able to grow GMO food is they artificially placing antibiotic genes within the DNA of the crops. There are studies that have found that continuous exposure to antibiotics can lead to resistance. It can be very dangerous to have resistance to antibiotics, as many serious illnesses have to be treated with antibiotics.

References

1. 1. World Health Organization. (2020). Frequently asked questions on genetically modified foods.
   2. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Food Allergies in Children.