Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Benefits, Risks, and Societal Implications, Slides of Earth science

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GENETICAL

LY

MODIFIED

ORGANISM

S

EARTH AND LIFE

SCIENCE

LESSON

TARGETS

At the end of this lesson, you will

learn to:

1

define genetically modified organisms

(GMOs) and explain the basic principles of

genetic engineering used to create them.

2

Students will identify and articulate at

least three benefits of GMOs, including

their potential impact on food security,

environmental resilience, and nutritional

enhancement.

3

Students will analyze and summarize at

least three risks associated with GMOs,

discussing potential environmental, health,

and economic concerns.

DEFINITI

ON

Genetically Modified Organisms

(GMOs) are organisms whose

genetic material has been

altered using genetic engineering

techniques. This technology allows

scientists to introduce new traits or

enhance existing ones, resulting in

crops and livestock that can

withstand environmental challenges,

pests, and diseases.

BT

CORN

Description: Bt corn is

genetically modified to express

a bacterial protein from Bacillus

thuringiensis (Bt), which acts

as a natural insecticide.

Benefits: This modification

helps protect the corn from

specific pests, need for

chemical and

improving crop

reducing

the

insecticides

yields.

ROUNDUP

READY

SOYBEANS

Description: These soybeans

are genetically engineered to

be resistant to glyphosate, a

common herbicide.

Benefits: Farmers can

apply glyphosate to control weeds

without harming the soybean

crop, leading to more efficient

weed management and higher

yields.

INNATE

POTATO

Description

engineere

d

The Innate potato

is to

acrylamide, a produce compound less that

can form when potatoes are

cooked at high temperatures,

and to resist bruising.

Benefits: This modification

improves food safety and

reduces waste by preventing

browning and spoilage.

AQUADVANT

AGE

SALMON

Description: AquAdvantage

salmon

salmon that contain

a

are genetically modified

Atlantic

growth hormone gene from Pacific

salmon, which allows them to

grow faster.

Benefits: This modification

enables the fish to reach

market size in about 18 months,

compared to three years for

non-GMO salmon, improving

efficiency in aquaculture and

BENEFITS

OF

GMOS

GENETICALLY MODIFIED

ORGANISMS

INCREASE

D CROP

YIELDS

GMOs can be engineered to

produce higher yields,

helping to meet the food

demands of a growing

global population.

PEST

AND

DISEAS

E

RESISTANCE

Many GMOs are designed

to be resistant to pests

and diseases, reducing the

need for chemical

pesticides and minimizing

crop losses.

REDUCED

AGRICULTUR

AL INPUTS

With increased resistance to

pests and diseases, farmers

can use fewer resources,

including water and fertilizers,

leading to lower production

costs and environmental

impact.

RISKS OF

GMOS

GENETICALLY MODIFIED

ORGANISMS

ECONOMI

C

DEPENDEN

CE

Farmers may become

dependent on a few major

biotech companies that

own the patents for GM

seeds, potentially leading

to increased costs and

reduced seed diversity.

RESISTANCE

DEVELOPME

NT

Pests and weeds may develop

resistance to the traits

engineered into GMOs over

time, necessitating the

development of new strategies

for pest and weed

management.

ETHICAL

AND

SOCIAL

CONCERNS

GMOs can raise ethical

questions regarding

tampering with nature, as

well as concerns about

food sovereignty and the

rights of farmers.