AquAdvantage Salmon -Casey Samaroo

 Casey Samaroo

AquAdvantage Salmon

AquAdvantage salmon is a genetically modified salmon more specifically it is a genetically modified Atlantic salmon  by AquaBounty Technologies. Typically people would ask how is the fish modified and is it healthy to eat?

The whole purpose of this modification is to grow salmon year round as well as increase the rate of physical growth.  AquaBounty does this by combining a growth hormone-regulating gene from a Pacific Chinook salmon and an anti freeze protein from an Ocean Pout and adds it to the Atlantic salmon.

The genetic modification of animals in most needed for animals that are becoming endangered or close to being endangered

The main reason AquaBounty made this genetic modificaition was because they felt that the current growth rate of wild Atlantic salmon was too slow to meet the future market demands for this fish. They claim they could do this without changing the features of the fish. AquaBounty produced the chart shown above which shows that for a 4kg salmon they are able to reduce the growth time by 25%.  Traditional fish farmers dispute these claims.

As helpful as it may be there are some harm that can come from making these genetically modified fish. For one, we don't know enough about these modifications and the possible affects it could have on the species, animals that consume the modified fish and the general environment.

There are many things that could go wrong with genetically modifying Salmon, for example they could physically harm the wild salmon by reproducing with them this could happen because of the DNA strands are triploid but at times some of the genetically modified fish could be  diploid  as wild salon are diploid.These modified fish could contaminate the environment ,right here in Canada the land based, fresh water egg production facility is located. In Prince Edwards Island, Canada. Historically, Atlantic salmon lived in the fresh bodies of water in this area, but as of recent wild salmon populations remain in the area due to over development, the inability to migrate, and acid rain. In the winter, temperatures in bodies of water near the facility are too low for wild salmon, although spring and summer temperatures are survivable to salmon. Also because of a high amount of salt in the water it is very hard for the fish to survive either way. What about the effects of the modification on human health? how would it affect people who are allergic to salmon is it edible for them? what are the long term effects on our bodies with this modification? We don't have the answers to these questions yet and clearly there is not enough known about these modifications and that they should take a closer look as to what we are feeding other animals and humans as well.

There are many ethical problems with taking fish and genetically modifying them. For one how would you like it if someone captured you from your home and decided to change everything about you and in reality make you an entirely new person? we take these fish from their natural habitat and bring them into a new area and preform tests on them and use it for your own betterment they are animals as well we  think we are above them but they cant control that we say that bullying is bad and we in turn are the biggest bullies of them all. Another ethical issue would be that we are messing with nature we are no longer natural we have become artificial and have to change everything we have learnt and now modify that to keep up with the ever so changing time we live in. In addition some of our more religious members of the population would say that we are all gods creatures and should treat each other equally but we decide that we can change everything because we are above everything else.

In conclusion yes i do believe that this technology should be used worldwide and i say this because we could use this technology to help endangered species to reproduce faster and repopulate the species but there should be some very strict guidelines and close watch from the government, this so we don't overpopulate the species or start to experiment just for the curiosity of the human mind and the greed for money. Yes it could be very valuable but only if it is used correctly as the amount of fish being ate in the past decade has increased quite dramatically and this will help the demand and keep the fish market blooming.  

Pros of Genetically Modified Fish

• Better resistance to weather
• Can grow year round
• Faster growth
• Could be more nutritious 
• Better tasting 
• Spend less money producing more food
• can repopulate endangered species

Cons of  Genetically Modified Fish

• Unexpected Side-Effects
• Reduced Species Diversity
• Ecological Damage
• Ethically wrong
• Messing with nature
• The Benefits May Not Be Available to Everyone

So fellow bloggers do you believe the pros of genetically modifying fish outweigh the cons?

AquAdvantage Salmon

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AquAdvantage_salmon
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/important-uses-of-genetic-engineering
http://www.biofortified.org/2010/10/salmon/

Spider-goat By: Afiya Khan

Spider-goat

Genetic engineering of different species is no longer just an absurd idea. It has become a wide spread frenzy in which numerous scientists and researches have began to investigate and has had a tremendous amount of success. In May of 2010, researchers at the University of Wyoming developed a way in which they incorporated a spiders' silk-spinning genes into a normal goat. 

The overall strength and elasticity of a spider's silk fiber is beyond belief. In the medical world, the use of spider silk fiber can be applied for creating artificial ligaments and tendons. The use of spider silk can also include creating security vests or even fishing lines. However, due to spiders' being territorial insects, keeping them in captivity in large amounts has been unsuccessful. Therefore, the idea of injecting another species with the spiders' gene was developed, in order to overcome this obstacle. Randy Lewis, a molecular biology professor at Wyoming came up with this suggestion. By injecting the goats, it would cause them to only produce milk that contained protein, which is the equivalent to the spider's silk fiber.

The spider-goat technology is a convenient and cheap way to produce a large amount of spider silk fiber. The first step to this process is by extracting the spiders' dragline silk gene and then injecting it into goats. This experiment was done by Lewis, wherein he injected a total of ten goats. However, out of the ten goats only a mere three adapted and carried the gene. The other seven were normal and had no trace of the gene. Overtime, the goats began to produce milk that did contain sufficient amounts of protein, making the experiment a complete success.

This technology is not limited to any part of the world. Many countries which are striving for advances in the medical world, would see this technology as needed. The numerous uses of the silk can help surgeons and doctors save lives, by creating needed muscle parts.

Spider-goat engineering does not bring about many known problems. It does not harm the goat or cause any health concerns for the animal. The injection of the gene is harmless and requires very little maintenance. On the other hand, like most genetic engineering experiments, the outcome is never 100% successful. For example, as stated before, only three out of ten goats were able to produce the milk enriched with protein. These results prove that although the gene transplant can be done, it is not certain to work 10/10 times.

Many individuals may disagree with scientists tampering and changing an animals' genetic structure. They do not approve of the spiders' silk being produced from a mutated goat. Although the experiments are done for human benefits, it does not give scientists permission to alter another species genetic material. These people view the the spider-goat technology as unethical and cruel towards innocent goats. In addition, the goats that end up not being able to produce the protein milk, are required by law to be euthanized since they have been genetically modified.

Personally, I do not think that this technology should be used worldwide. It does in fact benefit us as humans, however, in the process many innocent animals are killed. I believe that the ethical issues out weigh the medical pros. Therefore, the use of this technology should be limited to a small amount of countries that are only in desperate need of it. What results do you think the spider-goat technology will produce, if used in the medical world to create artificial ligaments and tendons? Will it have disappointing or satisfying results? Explain your opinion.

References:
http://phys.org/news194539934.html
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/jan/14/synthetic-biology-spider-goat-genetics
https://sites.google.com/site/noespidergoat/opposition


  

Scorpion Poison Cabbage - Joon Dong

Genetic Engineering

    Scientists and researchers have yet again created another genetically modified product. As strange as it may sound, the next GMO food to hit the stores is indeed cabbage altered with scorpion venom. Although many everyday foods we eat are genetically altered such as rice, potatoes, and oils, scorpion cabbage still strikes a few questions. During your stay here, you'll learn a little bit about this creation. 

    Some of you may not know the basics so without further ado, what are GMOs? GMOs are genetically modified organisms which includes anything that has been genetically engineered with DNA. This is done with animals and plants, which most of the time means food.

   So what's the deal with scorpion venom infused cabbage? Of all things why such a seemingly dangerous toxin over regular pesticides? The toxin will be used to fend off against bugs however, these cabbages are designed to infect bugs such as cabbage loving caterpillars. 

The cabbage will release a nerve poison taken from it's new scorpion genetic material to paralyze and stop bugs from eating which allows the virus to act. Studies so far have shown that the virus has successfully poisoned over 100 species of butterflies and 75 species of moths.

This technology is most needed in mass cabbage crop production areas.

    There are many problems and ethical issues with this GMO. The first thing that comes to mind is whether it is even safe to consume such a thing. Researchers have claimed that it does no harm to humans, however, studies have not been done on live people nor normal cells. They have been done on breast cancer cells. Is that reassuring to us? This GMO study is being done to reduce use of pesticides but if cabbages were to be injected with scorpion venom, it would mean every single cell would contain it.

    In my opinion, I am not quite sure if this technology should be used. I don't know whether other articles are just purely against the idea of GMOs or if they are indeed true facts. Personally, I like to wait and see what I find fit to be true. 

    Do you guys agree or disagree with this change in cabbage? Even though so many of our foods have been modified, do you have a problem specifically with this happening or would this be just like any other food? We are oblivious to many things that happen in the food industry. Does this shed light on what you eat or is this not a surprise?

Written by Joon

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/gm-cabbage-scorpion-poison-coming-soon

http://www.thesleuthjournal.com/scorpion-poison-used-gmo-cabbage/

Flavr Savr Tomato By: Almira Nawaz

The Flavr Savr Tomato

In a world of advancing agricultural technology, genetically engineered foods are always up for many debates. The flavr savr tomato generated varying views about this new method to modify crops, it started the continuing political debate, economic and health related argument about modified foods.

The Flavr Savr Tomato, also known as CGN-89564 was the first genetically engineered produce allowed to be given to consumers. After many experiments on crops, the tomato finally succeeded! It was developed through biotechnology, and through this means was genetically engineered to be eaten safely. Biotechnology can improve the plant itself with more efficiency than natural cross breeding.

An antisense gene was added to the tomato to make the plant more resistant from rotting. This gene prevents the making of enzyme polygalacturonase; this enzyme causes the plant to soften which makes them easy targets of fungal infections.  The production of the genetically modified tomato was successful in the respect of extending the shelf life of the tomato, allowing it to ripen on its vine before being picked.

However this Flavr Savr frustrated scientists because the antisense gene was not successful making the tomato firm while ripening on its vine, so they still had to be grown like other unmodified tomatoes.

The Flavr Savr tomato was not specifically needed in a specific area, it was invented to better the crop by modifying its lasting and firmness ability and prolonging its shelf life. The product failed to attract customers. The tomato did not arise any ethical issues because it did not use any foreign gene to reach its desired purpose but rather used a gene that was already in the tomato and just blocked it.

In my opinion this technology should be used worldwide because the antisense gene blocks polygalacturonase that also helps protect it from fungal infections. Yes it will still grow like any other normal tomato crop but it will then also have the ability to defend itself from this infection.  If we can be protected from one less infection than that would be beneficial for us.

 Ask yourself: Do you feel that the Flavr Savr tomato or the method of modifying the crop will help improve our exports? Why or why not?

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavr_Savr
• http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/science_1/genetically_modified_organisms/1112965696/flavr-savr/
• http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v054n04p6&fulltext=yes

Almira Nawaz