Biology 160
Term Paper
Genetically Modified Organisms
INTRODUCTION
There is a lot of controversy surrounding genetically-modified organisms and whether they ultimately do more harm than good. Genetically-modified organisms are most commonly used to refer to “crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques” (Whitman). The goal of modifying these organisms is to enhance or introduce a desired trait, such as increased resistance to herbicides or improving the nutritional content of the particular organism. This is generally done in a lab using a “Gene Gun” or an Agrobacterium method as described in detail in the next section. However, as convenient and simple as this idea sounds, there are many concerns that will more than likely change the course of future modifications in organisms. First, I'll be describing the methods used to date to modify the genetic composition of an organism. Then, I'll be highlighting the benefits and the potential consequences of genetically-modifying organisms.
SCIENCE BEHIND GMO'S
Upon researching, I discovered an interesting fact about genetically modified organism's: it has apparently occurred in nature for millions of years through a species called Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which turns out is the cause of crown gall diseases in many ornamental and fruit plants (Keefer). Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a species of soil-dwelling bacteria that has the ability to infect plant cells with a piece of its own DNA. “The Agrobacterium tumefaciens cell contains two DNA containing structures; a bacterial chromosome and another structure known as a Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid” (Keefer). According to University of Washington microbiologists, Agrobacterium only infects a plant that has become wounded, either in the plant's roots or stem. When the plant is wounded, the plant gives off certain