GMOs stands for genetically modified organisms are the organisms that have their genomes changed through a process. The changing of the organism’s genome also bring a change to its characteristics.
This process was developed over 30 years ago through plant genetic engineering methods. GMOs have been proven as beneficial for the plant industry. GMOs involves not only in the plantation but also in the poultry.
The changes made by the GMOs process has brought beautiful changes in our life. We get to eat more nutritional food, fresher food and all-year long food instead of seasonal. The beautiful variations of this process should be appreciated and spread around to share happiness.
History of GMOs and Food Sustainability
Genetic manipulation of food has begun on 10 000 BC. The process meant to breed a new generation and organism. The new breed is carefully selected through a desired breeding so they can meet the end process with desired traits of the particular food.
In the early 1900s, DNA was discovered and carved a new path on altering the genetic within the food. The various advancements in the genetic techniques have helped so much in changing the genes of the food. In the early 1900s, chymosin recombination was approved and was used in several countries.
The most popular new breed food is the cheese curd. Cheese curd is produced by modifying the bacteria to provide the chymosin. And ta-da, the best invention ever was born.
The first GMOs food that is well-approved is the Flavr Savr tomato in 1994. Calgene developed this tomato, to improvise the traits of the original tomato by prolonging the self-life by inserting an antisense genetic that can delay ripening. Thanks to this new breed, we get to enjoy fresh tomato that can last long.
With more and more advancements coming over the years, it reaches its peak in the 2000s where the scientists started to modify food o increase the nutrients value. The GMOsproess has helped in the food industry more than we can imagine.
With more and more countries acknowledge the importance of GMOs, in 2010, it was stated that 29 countries had planted biotech crops and 31 countries have permitted regulatorily permissible for transgenic crops to be imported.
For the GMOs animal-based food, the first to be approved is the AquAdavntage salmon in 2015. The original salmon used to grow only during spring and summer, with the transformation of the growth hormone, now salmon is available all year long. Something that needs to be highly cherished by the sushi lover all around the world.
Why GMOs and Food Sustainability is Important
Having the plant undergo the GMO is essential for the environment. These crops’ traits should be changed into more desirable characteristics. Here are why GMOs are importance;
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Less toxic
GMOs plants like soybeans and corn can be weeded using herbicides which are more productive, less toxic and cheaper than the natural herbicides.
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Low-cost
GM crops lower the cost of production by lessening the input of machinery, chemical pesticides and fuel.
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Effective pest control
GMOs crops can help to prevent viruses and fungi. This way, the plant is healthier and free-disease.
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Avoid pollution
The GMOs is using the reduced spraying of chemical to ward off pests and viruses. The reduced mechanical weeding is said to help avoid the loss of topsoil. It is also beneficial for our health.
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Generate employment
The GMOs process requires a lot more working in working the process. This way will help to reduce the rate of unemployment in certain areas. It is also beneficial to economic growth.
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Economic growth
The countries that are using the GMOs is currently developing with more benefits through plant engineering. Certain regions like South America and South Africa is producing $5billion through this process.
Methods of GM
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Coating the surface of small metal particles.
The surface of the small metal particles is coated with the relevant and desired DNA fragment. With the coatings on, the plant cells are bombarded by the particles.
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Using a virus or bacterium
A lot of bacterias and virus can be used for the genetic breeding process. The selected bacterias will have their DNA transferred into the host cell as one of their ordinary parts. One of the most used bacterias is Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
The desired genes will be transferred into the bacteria and bacteria cells, the DNA of the combined genes and bacteria now can be transferred into the genome of the new plants. The plant cells that have fully controlled over the new DNA then will be grown as a new plant.
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Mutational breeding
Mutational breeding is the process of disclosing the seeds to the chemicals and radiations to create mutants with desired traits and characteristics of a breed.
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Genome editing
Genome editing or also know as genes editing is a process of inserting, deleting, modifying or replacing the DNA of the living organism genes. This method is mainly focusing on the insertion of the edited DNA into specific locations.
How Can We All Play Our Part
We all can play our part in changing our world to a better one by consuming the GMOs plant. Examples of GMOs plant that we know of is corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes, papaya and canola.
A particular community doesn’t entirely accept GMOs. However, as a good consumer who has been filled with the knowledge of the benefits of the GMOs to our health and environment, it is our job to attract people and show a good example first. People will tend to follow you if they see the end result is beneficial for them.
Start consuming GMOs food and slowly spread it around to your loved ones and ta-da. You will see the world around you is changing to be a better place. By reading this article, you are already one step towards changing the world to become a better place for you and your loved ones.
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