Tolerant Gene In Canola Crops example essay topic

Genetic modification of food sources has been used for centuries whether it has been using yeast to make bread rise or using rennet to make cheese. Today genetically modified food has become extremely advanced with technologists able to enhance or even delete particular characteristics in food It is even possible to create crops that are resistant to herbicides, which are cheaper to produce and are healthier, all by changing a bit of DNA. How is it modified? To produce genetically modified canola, the DNA sequence is first changed. The involvement of enzymes, plasmids and the methods of cutting and splicing are vital in the manipulation of DNA. Researchers use restriction enzymes (which break DNA at specific sections) and DNA ligase (which join fragments of DNA together) to create new DNA sequences.

Plasmids are used as a way of moving genes between organisms. Researchers used the restriction enzymes to cut canola DNA into fragments. Each fragment is spliced into plasmids along with two glyphosate-tolerant genes. Two genes were inserted into the canola DNA they were; (CP 4 EPSPS) 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase and glyphosate oxidoreductase (gox). Both genes are derived from bacteria and have their own distinct purpose.

CP 4 EPSPS is designed to function and not be sensitive to applications of glyphosate and gox, which has additional resistance to the herbicide and degrades it to AMPA to glyoxyate. (web) The cutting process of the plasmids then causes the four elements to combine forming a Recombinant DNA. Argo bacterium tumefaciens is a bacterium, which infects many plants including canola causing tumors to form in the cells. When a plant is infected the plasmids are transferred into the nucleus of the plant cell. Researchers utilise this transferal and use Arogobacterium as a means to transport the Recombinant DNA into the canola nucleus.

(Healy, 2000) The Recombinant DNA is then transferred into the canola cell nucleus and the genetically modified canola is complete. Research began in 1985 to produce crops of canola plants that were resist to the herbicide Glyphosate ammonium. It is used worldwide and it extremely effective in the control of annual and incessant weeds but is harsh and can weaken crops. The Liberty Link crop program was developed soon after.

This combined the use of Liberty, the herbicide and the glyphosate-tolerant gene in canola crops. The first field trails began in 1992. Shortly after the Prairie Pools were chosen to distribute the commercial seed. Rigorous checks were done throughout the season and the Canadian government imposed strict specifications. The crops were tested for a variety of traits ranging from oil content to fatty acid composition. The GM canola was equal or better in quality to other organic canola crops tested.

The first genetically modified canola to be registered was called Brassica napus cv. Innovator in 1995. It was released in Canada and USA produced under the collaboration of the companies Ag rEvo and AAFC (Agriculture and Arg i-Canada). (Oelck, M. M, 1996).

The creation of genetically modified foods has sparked a huge controversy. The producers of the technology insist that it is the GM crops are cheaper and will produce better crops and that it totally safe for humans and the environment. However some are not sure because the technology is still very new and fear it has not been tested thoroughly enough. "Our abilities to predict what happens with a new plant are crude. Plants might acquire ecological advantages enabling them to multiply and become weeds" (Brown cited Mellon, 1996, Bioscience).

A benefit of herbicide tolerant canola is a reduction in the amount of herbicide used. Usually the weeds and additional plants have not appeared but spraying is done as a preventive measures whereas it could be on a "need to be" basis. Therefore cutting down on some harmful effects on the environment such as water pollution caused by underground water supplies being affected by excessive herbicide usage. Another benefit of GM canola could be increased health value.

High levels of saturated fats were found in non-GM canola oils. In GM canola oil however extremely low levels saturated fats were found. Therefore production of healthier margarine and low fat frying oils which are products of canola. (PBI Bulletin, 96) A disadvantage of GM canola could be lack of testing on how these super crops affect the environment. How can it be known if the canola won't turn into a super plant or worse trigger the weeds it trying to eliminate to become resist to herbicides? Will the herbicide kill the all-insect life that relies on canola for survival?

Bees require some canola for the pollen it produces for reproduction. Another disadvantage of GM canola is do we really know that it is safe to eat? Is the human body designed with nature in mind? Will the alteration of DNA alter a balance, which the human body has established?

There really hasn't been enough testing done to ensure the safety of consumers. There is a fairly equal amount for and against GM foods. However is it worth the risks that are being taken? Ten years of research and only five years in the public domain aren't really enough time to calculate the full effects on humans and the environment. A real caution should be exercised in relation to genetically modified foods.

It shouldn't be rushed into for the sack of money. Why is an industry that seems so proud of its achievements trying to cover them up? If there is really nothing to fear from GM foods why is labeling of all GM foods and products mandatory?

Bibliography

Healy, J. (2000).
Issues in Society: Genetically Modified Food. The Spinney Press, Balmain: NSW Hawkes, N. (2000).
Genetically Modified Food. Franklin Watts: London Oelck, M.M. (1996).
Innovator. Presented at the 4th Can. Plant Tissue Cult. Genet. Engin. Conference, Saskatoon, Canada (1-4 June 1996) p.
42 Pua E.C., A. Mehr a-P alta, F. Nagy and N.H. Chua (1987).
Transgenic plants of Brassica napus. Bio / technology 5: 815-817. Brown K.S. (1996) Life on the molecular farm.
Bioscience, 46, Issue 2, p. 80 PBI Bulletin. 1996, Liberty Link canola- Canadian success story.