Thursday, June 5, 2008

Playing God?

Okay, so we know that GMO are Genetically Modified Organisms and sometimes also known as GM (Genetically Modified/Engineered). In the previous post, I've mentioned that GM foods are foods that had their DNA twig or altered.

Genetics 101 - Part 1

Genetics 101 - Part 2

Genetics 101 - Part 3

Genetics 101 - Part 4

* DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) consist of many genes
* Chromosome is a compact unit of lots of DNA
* In one human cell, we have 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs of chromosomes
* A genome of an organism consist of ALL hereditary information of that particular organism
* Genes are instruction guides that direct the production of proteins which give 'orders' to tell our body how it should function

Like us, foods are controlled by their genes. By 'decoding' their genes, we are able to differentiate the 'good' genes from the 'bad' genes.


'Natural' selection was practiced centuries ago; ever since domestication occurred. Farmers chose the best crop (usu. the sweetest or qualities that display 'freshness') and continued using seeds from that crop. In this world, only the fitness/strongest survive. However, 'natural' selection takes time as we need to choose from a large variety. Often, the best of the crop might not be the best. How then in the present world of everything instant to we achieve results fast?

The answer would be GMO foods. By altering the genes of plants, we are able to select desirable traits fast than 'natural' selection.

Some may say: When tampering with the their natural genes, are we trying to play God?

Well, all organisms go through constant change to ensure that the fittest survive. This explains why the modern day wheat differs from its 'Neanderthal' counterparts.

As with all technologies, there are certain risks involves; nothing is 100% safe. Perhaps, we should take the risk for a greater benefit.

References:
http://www.bionewsonline.com/d/what_is_genome.htm
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/biotech/443-002/443-002.html
http://www.scq.ubc.ca/plant-breeding-versus-plant-genetics/
http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/genetics/sect5.htm
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/tour/
http://www.safe-food.org/-issue/dangers.html
http://www.jri.org.uk/brief/gmchr.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOvMNOMRRm8
http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/genetics/sect1a.htm
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/NIH/gene03.php
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

GMO foods!


GMO corn, GMO apples, GMO flowers...what exactly is GMO? This abbreviation refers to Genetically Modified Organisms whose DNA has been twig by genetic engineering.

Like all inventions, they have pros and cons.

As Singaporeans, we like to have the best, eat the best, dress the best, score the best etc. Everything we do, we want the BEST! This technology might actually be the solution to that, especially in food =)

Modifying food is not new as we thought it is. Actually, it has occurred several hundred years ago. A fine example is the root vegetable - carrots

A long long time ago, carrots used to be white, purple, yellow...but NEVER orange. Also, carrots back then were not as sweet as they were now.

It was during the 15th century, the Dutch in attempt to nationalise the vegetable in the colour of the House of Orange (the king at that time was William of Orange or also known as William the Silent)

Dutch farmers cross breed the carrots into a carrot that was orange which later dominated the world as the main species of carrots.
So you see, this technology has caused foods to 'naturally' be modified but most of the time, they are man-made. Even what we thought was 'natural' like the orange carrot turns out to be 'unnatural'.

But is this story strong enough to give the thumbs up for GMO food to be accepted internationally or at least locally first?


Reference:
http://environmentalcommons.org/gmo.html
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/history.html
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