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What the hell is a GMO?? A (very long) thread – stick with
me
me
GMO: Genetically-Modified Organism. You hear it everywhere.
Food, Inc. Monsanto. Recent research from University of Colorado showed that the most
extreme opponents to GM technology know the least, but think they know the
most. That inspired this, which I hope is informative.
Food, Inc. Monsanto. Recent research from University of Colorado showed that the most
extreme opponents to GM technology know the least, but think they know the
most. That inspired this, which I hope is informative.
GMOs exist not just as plants, but in medicine as well: Insulin
has been injected by millions for forty years. The Rituxan that I have infused
into my body six times per year slows Rheumatoid Arthritis and has been used
for a decade.
has been injected by millions for forty years. The Rituxan that I have infused
into my body six times per year slows Rheumatoid Arthritis and has been used
for a decade.
These are only 2 examples of GM tech that have saved and
improved millions of lives. Yet, the controversy exists mostly in plants.
improved millions of lives. Yet, the controversy exists mostly in plants.
This thread will focus on GE technology in plants. I work in
plant breeding. I do not create GE plants, but because GE tech is so important
in agriculture, I do work with them.
plant breeding. I do not create GE plants, but because GE tech is so important
in agriculture, I do work with them.
What is Plant Breeding, you may wonder? You will probably be
surprised that many thousands of people in the world are working behind the
scenes to improve crops and create new varieties that yield more, require less,
and survive pests, pathogens and extreme weather.
surprised that many thousands of people in the world are working behind the
scenes to improve crops and create new varieties that yield more, require less,
and survive pests, pathogens and extreme weather.
Mostly, we are interested in working with plants to increase
yield. We are also working tirelessly to make plants resistant to disease, to
insects, to herbicides; we want wheat to have better bread-making qualities.
yield. We are also working tirelessly to make plants resistant to disease, to
insects, to herbicides; we want wheat to have better bread-making qualities.
Different areas of the world may require plants to flower at
different times. The structure of a plant may make it easier to harvest for a robot. There are endless ways to make plants better, with the end goal, mostly, to make our food supply larger and more sustainable
different times. The structure of a plant may make it easier to harvest for a robot. There are endless ways to make plants better, with the end goal, mostly, to make our food supply larger and more sustainable
Let’s start with an idea: We (humans) all have more or less
the same genes. Yes, each human each has 2 copies of the same set of genes that
are shared with all other humans (aside from X & Y in females & males).
the same genes. Yes, each human each has 2 copies of the same set of genes that
are shared with all other humans (aside from X & Y in females & males).
There are as many as 50k total genes in human genomes.
However, the gene itself may have many diff versions. These are called
“alleles.”
However, the gene itself may have many diff versions. These are called
“alleles.”
So although you and I both have the BRCA gene, you may have the
gene’s allele that slightly different, and thus may make you more susceptible
to breast cancer.
gene’s allele that slightly different, and thus may make you more susceptible
to breast cancer.
Genetically, as I am sure is no surprise, plants and
animals are very, very different. A rose’s genome consists of a list of genes
that may be different from a canola plant’s genome.
animals are very, very different. A rose’s genome consists of a list of genes
that may be different from a canola plant’s genome.
Often times, there have been events in history that have
duplicated entire genomes, or merged 2 species of plants’ genomes. The number
of genes a plant has varies widely, from 15,000 to 50,000.
duplicated entire genomes, or merged 2 species of plants’ genomes. The number
of genes a plant has varies widely, from 15,000 to 50,000.
Moving forth with this idea of alt forms of genes
(alleles), if there is a rose that carries an allele that I like (suppose
the petals are yellow), and another that does not (red), we can simply pull the
anthers (male) from one rose, and pollinate it with the other’s pollen!
(alleles), if there is a rose that carries an allele that I like (suppose
the petals are yellow), and another that does not (red), we can simply pull the
anthers (male) from one rose, and pollinate it with the other’s pollen!
Voila! A brand new rose, carrying now one copy of that
allele! Keep going with this process, and now your red rose is yellow. This is
called crossing, and is the main idea behind all of plant breeding.
allele! Keep going with this process, and now your red rose is yellow. This is
called crossing, and is the main idea behind all of plant breeding.
When our ancestors found maize in a field, it wasn’t the
corn that we see today. They saved seeds from plants that survived, and maybe
those they recognized as better quality crops.
corn that we see today. They saved seeds from plants that survived, and maybe
those they recognized as better quality crops.
Eventually they did the very same thing that we do today –
crossed, and artificially selected the plants that looked best, for its seed to
be replanted and re-crossed, or grown out for more selections.
crossed, and artificially selected the plants that looked best, for its seed to
be replanted and re-crossed, or grown out for more selections.
Here’s my first thought-provoking question for you: Was that
natural?
natural?
What was your answer? Food Inc may tell you that it is not
natural. The Food Babe would likely agree. Your food box will say that it is.
natural. The Food Babe would likely agree. Your food box will say that it is.
In fact, these are artificial manipulations of naturally-occurring processes for the benefit of man, much like the breeding of dogs has been since the beginning of time.
The answer is that there is no answer. Not even the USDA has
determined what ‘natural’ means when you see it on your box of cereal at the
grocery store.
determined what ‘natural’ means when you see it on your box of cereal at the
grocery store.
It has been & will continue to be used (imo, manipulatively)
by companies who want to convey a misleading message to you, in order for you
to buy their cereal instead of their competitor’s.
by companies who want to convey a misleading message to you, in order for you
to buy their cereal instead of their competitor’s.
So for years, plant breeding was simply the crossing and
selection of plants. We had zero idea of even how traits were transferred from
one to another until Gregor Mendel did his famous pea plant experiments in the
1800s to try to clarify the laws of inheritance.
selection of plants. We had zero idea of even how traits were transferred from
one to another until Gregor Mendel did his famous pea plant experiments in the
1800s to try to clarify the laws of inheritance.
Still, we didn’t even know about DNA (long known as the
“missing link”), until much later. Drs. Watson, Crick, & Franklin made this
discovery in 1962.
“missing link”), until much later. Drs. Watson, Crick, & Franklin made this
discovery in 1962.
Boy, have we come a long way since then. Thanks to the work
of scientists across the world, we have a deep understanding about molecular
processes that control traits in all kinds of organisms.
of scientists across the world, we have a deep understanding about molecular
processes that control traits in all kinds of organisms.
We now know so much about genetics, genomes, and biotechnology
that it is coming at us at an overwhelming pace. We learned that even if a
plant is short, it could carry an allele in it that (when combined with
hundreds of other alleles) makes plants taller.
that it is coming at us at an overwhelming pace. We learned that even if a
plant is short, it could carry an allele in it that (when combined with
hundreds of other alleles) makes plants taller.
We found that the larger pool of alleles (forms of the same
gene) there are to choose from, the better! We call this genetic variation.
gene) there are to choose from, the better! We call this genetic variation.
Suppose there is a gene in the crop that I study that seems
to only have a few versions (alleles), and I wonder what would happen if there
were more?
to only have a few versions (alleles), and I wonder what would happen if there
were more?
Scientists had an answer for that! We can induce variation by
mutating plants! here are many ways to do this, including exposure to radiation
or a chemical known as EMS.
mutating plants! here are many ways to do this, including exposure to radiation
or a chemical known as EMS.
Maybe you’re thinking, OH, that’s what a GE crop is? A plant
that is mutated artificially to make more versions of genes?
that is mutated artificially to make more versions of genes?
The answer is no.
This falls arbitrarily under the curtain of “traditional plant breeding”. We
mutate some seed, damage thousands of genes in unknown ways, grow it out, and
look for traits we like.
This falls arbitrarily under the curtain of “traditional plant breeding”. We
mutate some seed, damage thousands of genes in unknown ways, grow it out, and
look for traits we like.
We can cross these mutated plants with other plants within
the same or very-closely related species and introduce these new alleles into
our breeding population. Natural? Again, up in the air. Your cereal box can
certainly still call this natural if they please. “GE”? Nope.
the same or very-closely related species and introduce these new alleles into
our breeding population. Natural? Again, up in the air. Your cereal box can
certainly still call this natural if they please. “GE”? Nope.
(Often, certainly nowadays, we can look into the genome by
sequencing and have a pretty good darned idea of which genes are mutated, and
in which way.
sequencing and have a pretty good darned idea of which genes are mutated, and
in which way.
However, this is not completely necessary. Plenty of scientists are still going about this somewhat blindly, making decisions based on what the
plant looks like).
plant looks like).
Not only were scientists studying how traits were transferred within species, but they also wondered – if a gene exists in a tomato, but I need it in maize, how can I do this?
The answer came by another artificially manipulated natural process. A bacterium called Agrobacterium can insert genetic material into a plant cell.
Notice I did not say allele again – this is a new gene
entirely, one that did not exist in this plant species before, because probably
many millions of years ago, it just disappeared.
entirely, one that did not exist in this plant species before, because probably
many millions of years ago, it just disappeared.
To boot, evidence of gene transfer by this process has been found in nature, meaning that the very process we are using is indeed naturally occurring.
We can use this to our benefit. We take a gene from a tomato
that would be awesome to have in a potato, engineer it into Agrobacterium, and then transfer it to the plant. Voila! A new plant, same species, but now has one
gene that we found in another plant!
that would be awesome to have in a potato, engineer it into Agrobacterium, and then transfer it to the plant. Voila! A new plant, same species, but now has one
gene that we found in another plant!
The difference between this new plant and the ones that we
made by crossing, is that this new plant is now highly regulated and called “GE”.
made by crossing, is that this new plant is now highly regulated and called “GE”.
You may hear this referred to as “GE” (genetically
engineered), “GM” (genetically modified”, “recombinant” (because DNA will take
up the gene and recombine it into its genome), “transgenic” (because we
transferred in a new gene), and potentially as a biotech crop or similar.
engineered), “GM” (genetically modified”, “recombinant” (because DNA will take
up the gene and recombine it into its genome), “transgenic” (because we
transferred in a new gene), and potentially as a biotech crop or similar.
Although the processes used to make the new plant are
natural, we have manipulated it in a new way, leading the public to ask: WHAT
IF?
natural, we have manipulated it in a new way, leading the public to ask: WHAT
IF?
What if that new gene that allows corn to be resistant to an
herbicide will actually cause an allergic reaction in people? What if something
disastrous happens because of something we have we not thought of?
herbicide will actually cause an allergic reaction in people? What if something
disastrous happens because of something we have we not thought of?
These types of reactions were unprecedented in plant
breeding history. Keep in mind that even though the new gene is in the plant,
it may not even be present in the finished product, such as sugar.
breeding history. Keep in mind that even though the new gene is in the plant,
it may not even be present in the finished product, such as sugar.
Sugar beets may be genetically engineered, but sugar is sugar – no trace of its former self at all.
We get rid of everything else but the sugar, and what you buy in a bag at the store is a collection of C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ molecules.
We get rid of everything else but the sugar, and what you buy in a bag at the store is a collection of C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ molecules.
Still, we needed to know. To date, over 2k studies
have been done on GE crops. It has been proven time and again by researchers in
academia and industry, most with no conflicts of interest, and all
peer-reviewed, that GE crops and non-GE crops have substantial equivalence.
have been done on GE crops. It has been proven time and again by researchers in
academia and industry, most with no conflicts of interest, and all
peer-reviewed, that GE crops and non-GE crops have substantial equivalence.
This means that toxicologically and chemically, there is no
difference between GE & non-GE products. Both are completely safe for consumption. Still, the studies continue, on topics as detailed as what the effects of these genes are in pollinators and soil enzymatic activity.
difference between GE & non-GE products. Both are completely safe for consumption. Still, the studies continue, on topics as detailed as what the effects of these genes are in pollinators and soil enzymatic activity.
Additionally, it is a fact that fewer pesticides are used as a result of GE. There is an uproar in some circles about glyphosate (Round-Up) which is an herbicide with low human toxicity. It has been elegantly shown that insecticide use has gone down massively because of GE.
Unfortunately, I feel that the label “GMO” was used
arbitrarily and has induced fear into the public. Images of tomatoes with
syringes in them consumed news articles.
arbitrarily and has induced fear into the public. Images of tomatoes with
syringes in them consumed news articles.
Fear of the unknown, and likely a history of companies who
have perhaps not always done the right thing for consumers in order to turn a
profit, has the public asking “What in the world are they doing to my food?”
have perhaps not always done the right thing for consumers in order to turn a
profit, has the public asking “What in the world are they doing to my food?”
Let’s be clear: In order to produce plants on a large scale, we need insect, disease, and herbicide resistance. There is far too much detail to go into here in order to portray the scale of food loss that would occur without this technology.
*You* can certainly pay twice as much for “GMO-free” foods (or organic, which is an entirely different discussion), but the world is not a place where people and places are economically equal.
As Americans, we may be able to afford to pay much more for
our food supply. Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, & areas of India, for
example, are faced with poverty and hunger, conditions that you and I are lucky
to not have to face.
our food supply. Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, & areas of India, for
example, are faced with poverty and hunger, conditions that you and I are lucky
to not have to face.
There are one billion chronically undernourished people on this planet. It is hard for me as a scientist to understand opposition to a world of technology that could fight food insecurity or improve the incomes of farmers across the globe.
The late Dr. Norman Borlaug, one of history’s most
brilliant scientists, and by far the most influential of plant breeders, stated
brilliant scientists, and by far the most influential of plant breeders, stated
that if we “deny the small-scale subsistence farmers of the Third
World access to modern factors of production, and humankind will be doomed, not from poisoning as some would have us believe, but from starvation and political chaos.”
World access to modern factors of production, and humankind will be doomed, not from poisoning as some would have us believe, but from starvation and political chaos.”
The bottom line is that genetic engineering is another form of plant genetic improvement, like plant breeding. The difference is that it is faster and more
precise.
precise.
In the days of changing climates, extreme poverty, food insecurity, and the threats of new pests and pathogens, we need all technologies available to create new varieties that can serve people and help the environment.
Here next
This chart may be confusing to some, but look at the arbitrary decisions we have made about what to regulate! 
Thanks to @kevinfolta for proofreading and adding comments. I appreciate it very much!
