Genetic Modification Organisms : Testing On Oats, Tortilla Chips, And Gmo +

“Sixty to seventy percent of all processed foods available on store shelves contain genetically modified ingredients”, according to George Erdosh and Marcia Amidon Lusted in “To GMO or not to GMO? Genetically engineered food has strong advocates and harsh critics.” Genetically modified organisms can be found in most conventional foods processed in the United States, and genetic modification of crops is extremely common on classic Minnesota farms. Crops such as corn and soybeans or even papaya and zucchini are viable for genetic modification. In fact, the definition of (GMO) as reported by Alex K. Rich and Tom Warhol, authors of “Genetically Modified Foods: An Overview,” is, “food in which, at some point during the production process molecules and proteins are chemically altered to give the food more nutrients, a better appearance, and a longer shelf life.” As a matter of fact, a majority of all the foods found at the grocery store are genetically altered. However, many people do not know what genetic modification really is, or that the idea has been around for many years. GMOs are used to control pests and weeds. Therefore, through changing the genetic makeup of the plant, modifications allow for advancements of new technologies that account for the applicability of specific chemicals, as opposed to dated Non-GMO farming techniques.

Genetic modified organisms, or GMOs, are living organisms that, through the genetic engineering process, have been altered to withstand certain chemicals and increase the nutritional value of the product. In fact, the majority of the foods found at the grocery store are genetically altered. Genetic modification is becoming increasingly popular on farms throughout the United States and moving into other parts of the world due to their increasing yield capabilities and pest and weed control. However, this has been, and continues to be, an extremely controversial topic of discussion in the world of agriculture and biotechnology, as well as health food critics, because of potential environmental and health risks.

In a perfect world, what would everyone have? Well, they most likely would have good health, money, stability, and proper environment to live very productive lives. This is what people strive to have, but very few receive. Why? There are many reasons. One reason might be the lack of agricultural advancement in many countries. If these countries were to embrace genetically modified crops, the citizens would have much better lives. According to Osakabe, Yuriko, Kajita, and Osakabe, in their article “Genetic Engineering Of Woody Plants: Current And Future Targets In A Stressful Environment”, genetic engineering in plants is better than traditional breeding methods because “…they bypass the long generation for breeding…” (106).

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), have turned into an exceptionally questionable theme here in our reality today. GMOs are life forms that have been developed through a quality joining methodologies of biotechnology or genetics building. This is a moderately new type of science which permits DNA from an individual species to be injected into another species in a research center. This produces blends of plant, creature, microscopic organisms, and viral qualities that don 't show up in conventional crossbreeding systems or found in nature. GMO’s have been liked to several health-related issues, and should be banned by the FDA (Genetically Modified Organisms, N.D. ).

Genetically modified foods have contributed to better foods in terms of food quality and human health.

All Natural White Cheddar Cheetos, which are labeled as a non-GMO food, was tested for the presence of genetically modified organisms. DNA was extracted, amplified by PCR and was subjected to electrophoresis to prove the absence of a genetically modified organism in the non-GMO Cheetos. Using DNA molecules from samples of interest is the favored method in GMO detection because DNA is easily recognizable and very stable (Gaudio, 2009). The gel electrophoresis picture shows the different sizes of the DNA fragments from the Cheetos. As pictured in figure one, there was a band for the sample containing the plant primers in lane eight for the photosystem II gene which served as a target area to ensure that the DNA extraction occurred (Smith, 2015). In lane nine was the test food with GMO primers, which did not show a band. This means that the Cheetos lacked a GMO gene and there was no presence of the CaMV promoter and the Nos promoter in the sample food. This concludes that the Cheetos do not contain a GMO, like the packaging indicates. Lanes ten and eleven shows fragments because they were positive controls and were expected to show up with a molecular weight of 500 bp and 200 bp, respectively. The target DNA to detect the GMO was at the CaMV and Nos promoter, which are both present in the GMO positive controls. The negative controls can also be seen

The purpose of this experiment is to use PCR method to identify genetically modified foods. During the experiment we, as a group, tested a known non- GMO food sample, oatmeal, along with our cornbread mix. We first weighed out 0.77 g of the non- GMO oatmeal. We then proceeded to add 3.85 ml (5.00 ml per 1.00 g) of distilled water (DW) to the oatmeal and ground them together with a pestle. The same was done with 0.99 g of the cornbread mix and 4.95 ml of DW. We pipetted each of these into separate screw-cap tubes consisting of 500 l of an InstaGene solution. These we incubated and centrifuged for approximately 5 minutes each.

The purpose of this experiment is to gain understanding in the topics of GMO, Bt crops, and test methods for the presence of GMO-derived products. Upon completion of this lab, one would be able to give ample information on DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and the differentiation of GMO and non-GMO food samples. In part two of this experiment, one will gain knowledge on mixtures of DNA molecules, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA fragment and migration relationship, loading dye, tracking, and staining dye, requirements for a good loading buffer, and how to analyze gel image. To complete lab one of this experiment, there must be an extraction of DNA from food samples. Following the extraction, the PCR Reactions must be assembled.

For this experiment we used blueberries as our possible GMO food and were given a non-GMO of certified grain as our Non-GMO test sample. Before handling any samples we first needed to label two screw cap tubes with our names, date, and non-GMO and test. After labeling 500μl of InstaGene matrix was added to each tube. A mortar and pestle, that was cleaned with a mixture of bleach and water was used to maintain a sterile environment for the non-GMO food. Weighed out 1.95 g of non-GMO certified grain and placed them in the mortar. Using a transfer pipet added 5ml of distilled water for every gram of food. (See calculations part 1) Grinded the non-GMO certified grain with a pestle for 2 minutes until a slurry formed in the mortar. Added another 5ml of distilled water for every gram of food, mixed until it was smooth enough to pipet. Removed 50μl of the slurry and placed it into the screw cap tube that already contained the

Enserink, Martin. "Tough Lessons from Golden Rice." Science. AAAS, 25 Apr. 2008. Web. 22 Sept. 2015. .

The topic of Genetically modified organisms is highly disputed. Genetically modified organisms, GMOs for short, are organisms that have had their genetic material altered or modified in an unnatural way (Nowicki, S.,2012). There are various organisms that are modified in the world today, such as, plants, animals, and microorganisms. There are numerous individuals and companies, such as, Whole Foods that see genetically modifying organisms as unethical, deceitful, and believe that everyone is entitled to know whether or not to ingest genetically modified organisms (The Non-GMO Project, n.d.). In contrast, there are various individuals/organizations, such as, The American Medical Association that see genetically modifying organisms as

This lab was performed to explore and discover GMOs in food that were given to test. Our group used oats, a GMO positive food, and a test food. Our goal was to find out whether the test food was GMO positive or negative and to record data accordingly. I hypothesized that the test food will be GMO positive. To see if my hypothesis had been correct we performed the process of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), to find the presence of GMO positive or negative DNA in the foods. We first extracted the DNA from the foods, and then added primers to the DNA as well. I then inserted the DNA onto a gel using a micropipette. Using gel electrophoresis and a UV transilluminator we were able to view the staggering results.

Food is a vital source for the survival of mankind. The current global food crisis has become too significant a problem that we cannot avoid this issue any further. Several solutions are made to salvage the situation like educating the nations on eating habits, population control and providing food and financial aid to poor countries that face hunger and famine. However, enforcing birth control and changing eating habits is possible but difficult to change the mindset of billions of people within the near future, what we need is an immediate response to tackle this exponentially increasing problem. The most efficient solution to solve

Researchers have done some experimenting on GMO’s; however, these experiments are flawed. The scientist and researchers have changed the results and rationales to make the outcome of the experiments appear favorable. Many GMOs contain insecticides. Scientists do not always get precise evidence because results from their experiments on the modified food are using outdated methodologies in the labs. In addition, one of the problems causing lack of results is

what are GMO’s? GMO’s are (Genetically Modified Organisms in food). Scientist are genetically altering food with unhealthy GMO’s, therefore food companies should naturally grow and raise their food, should have to meet higher health standards, and the government should think about outlawing GMO’s. GMO’s were introduced in 1994 to the store and approved by the FDA. When companies have food with GMO’s in it they are required by law to label that this food has GMOs in it. GMO’s are most common in corn, soy, cotton, and animal.