What is a GMO, anyway?
A genetically modified organism, or GMO, is an organism, often plant or animal, whose genetic makeup has been manipulated by means of engineering its DNA for the purpose of study and research, and often to create products such as food or medicine. As exemplified in our case study, genetic modification was created out of the desire to take ideal characteristics from one organism and apply them to another.
How are they made?
Genetic modification is the act of artificially changing the DNA codes of cells in a given organism by way of DNA cloning and protein engineering. It starts with a process called gene splicing. During this process, the genes of one organism are split and cut using specific enzymes, then, by use of a syringe or gene gun, inserted into the nucleus of another organism, where they are joined with that organism's DNA (1). The new combination of DNA resulting from gene splicing is called recombinant DNA, or rDNA. The rDNA is then added to a host organism, and that organism begins to replicate the new rDNA sequence as its cells reproduce. The result is the addition of traits from the spliced DNA's organism to the host organism, causing specific, desired traits to be expressed in organisms that otherwise would not have such traits.
Who discovered them?
Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer created the first molecules manipulated by genetic engineering in 1972. Cohen and Boyer were able to extract plasmids* from cells and insert them into other cells. They also discovered the ability of enzymes to isolate and cut specific DNA sequences (2). The combination of this knowledge ultimately resulted in the creation of the first genetically modified organism. Today, the process of genetic modification is in widespread use across the globe.
*genetic structures separate from chromosomal DNA and capable of autonomous replication
*genetic structures separate from chromosomal DNA and capable of autonomous replication
References
1.) Whitman, B. (2000) Genetically Modified Foods" Harmful or Helpful?
Retrieved from: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php
2.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1997, April) Inventor of the Week
Retrieved From: http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/boyercohen.html
Retrieved from: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php
2.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1997, April) Inventor of the Week
Retrieved From: http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/boyercohen.html