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Research Proposal

Sally Moon
Purpose/Objectives
The purpose of the proposed research is to identify rice products
that contain genetically modified genes in order to differentiate with the
rice products that are not genetically modified. In particular, the
Cry1a(b) gene will be targeted due to its links to various health issues
such as infertility, tumor development, organ damage, and premature
death.
Hypothesis
The rice that is labeled as organic or non-GMO is
hypothesized to show a negative result for the Cry1a(b) gene and the
general sequence for gene modification in foods, whereas the other rice
products being tested is hypothesized to be positive for containing the
Cry1a(b) gene as well as the general genetically modified sequence.
Background
Genetic modification of foods has been a rising topic of research
that has brought many new advantages as well as skepticism. In a
genetically modified organism (GMO), one or more of the genes is
transferred from another organisms gene, usually for a desirable trait
that the other organism has, and processed into the desired organisms
genome, in order to replicate the newly formed genetically modified
version of the organism in context (Goldbas, 2014). In foods, gene
modifications often target some part of the foods life span or its

attractiveness to consumers. For example, many foods have modified


genes that make them resistant to dangers such as herbicides or
insects, extend their shelf life, produce bigger and fresher produce, and
countless more. Although the modification is typically made in order to
make the food more desirable and advantageous, there have been
findings that support the opposite side of the debate, which are the
possibilities of harm that some of these modified genes have. In various
different ways, the use of GMOs have directly and indirectly been
linked to undesired yet related effects such as causing health problems
in the humans or animals that consume those GM foods (Goldbas,
2014).
More than half of the food consumed in America today is
genetically modified. With such a large percentage of people
consuming these synthetically altered foods, it is of no surprise that the
topic is of huge controversy and debate due to the unknown and not
fully uncovered aspects of these man-made alterations. In particular, a
very commonly used gene modification in many crops is the
modification of the Cry1a(b) gene, which is a gene derived from
Bacillus thuringiensis. The Cry1ab gene alters the crop to make it
resistant to the active ingredient of many widely used
insecticides/herbicides, glyphosate (Mesnage, 2013). This modified trait
lengthens the desired crops life span, for it will not be affected by the
exposure to glyphosate-containing herbicides (Mercola, 2013).

Although the modified crops may sustain exposure to potent


herbicides, research has shown a correlative link between the exposure
of glyphosate to medical issues such as causing red blood cells of mice
to rupture. The toxin encoded for by the Cry1a(b) gene can affect
mammals cells as seen in mice, and it was shown to specifically target
red blood cells and bone marrow, which can lead to various bloodrelated diseases. These biopesticides were shown to have
leukomogenic properties that contribute to a wide range of blood issues
such as anemia and leukemia in mice (Mezzomo et al., 2013).
Experimental Design
DNA extraction will be performed on each of the six different rice
samples provided. A specific DNA-isolation-protocol will be provided by
the instructor. A positive control DNA sample and a negative control
DNA sample will also be provided by the instructor to ensure reliability
of the experiment. A PCR reaction will be performed on the DNA
samples in order to amplify the desired portion of the DNA, specified by
the designed primers. Also, a control that is common in all plants will
also be used as a control mechanism to verify DNA integrity of all
samples.
Both a general detection method as well as a specific detection
method will be used. For the general detection method, primers for a
very common promoter and terminator region for most genetically
modified foods will be used. These primers will include the forward and
reverse primer for CAM35 (promoter region) and NOS (terminator

region). For the specific detection, a primer will be designed for the
specific gene (Cry1a(b)). Specific steps for the protocol will be provided
by the instructor at the time of the experiment.
Following DNA amplification by PCR, gel electrophoresis will be
performed for the detection of the desired gene sequence. Specifically,
agarose gel electrophoresis will be utilized. Analysis of the results of gel
electrophoresis will be dependent upon the number of base pairs
present in the relative DNA fragments.
Budget
Rice (Non-organic): $8
Rice (Organic): $10
Rice (Non-GMO labeled): $7
Rice (No label): $7
Rice Cake (Non-organic): $5
Rice Cake (Organic): $7
GMO Kit (Includes PCR master mix, primers, positive/negative controls,
PCR weight ruler, etc.): $200
PCR Tubes: $57
Pipettors and tips: $250
Latex gloves: $15
Lab coat
Lab goggles
Potential Results
As hypothesized, it is a likely result that some of the different rice
brands being tested will be positive for the general detection of genetic
modification. Also, some of the rice brands are hypothesized to show
positive detection of the Cry1a(b) gene, which can be detected via the
specific gene identification process. If detected as hypothesized, the
results will benefit the currently existing research on the topic of
genetically modified foods, and provide more awareness and education
for audiences of all different backgrounds that are affected by rice

consumption. Because rice is such a widely consumed food product,


rising research results in reference to potentially health-hazardous
material in certain rice brands will be hugely beneficial information.
Impact
Detection of rice crops that contain the Cry1a(b) gene will be
greatly beneficial and educational to the general public, since rice is a
very largely consumed crop globally. With the support of new research
that unveil the possible harmful effects and relationships of the
Cry1a(b) gene, this studys findings can aid people in avoiding
potentially harmful foods and be more knowledgeable on the contents
of the food they are consuming.

References
Goldbas, A. (2014). GMOs: What Are They?...Genetically modified
organisms.
International Journal Of Childbirth Education, 29(3), 20-24 5p.
Mercola, J. (2013, January 27). Soybean oil: One of the most harmful
ingre- dients in
processed food. Mercola.com. Retrieved from http://www.com/
sites/articles/archive
Mesnage R, Bernay B, Sralini GE. Toxicology. 2013 Nov 16; 313(23):122-8. Epub
2012 Sep 21.

Mesnage R, Clair E, Gress S, Then C, Szkcs A, Sralini GE. J Appl


Toxicol. 2013 Jul;
33(7):695-9. Epub 2012 Feb 15.
Mezzomo BP, Miranda-Vilela AL< Freire IdS, Barbosa LCP, Portilho FA, et
al. (2014)
Hematotoxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis as Spore-crystal Strains
Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac or Cry2Aa in Swiss Albino Mie. J Hematol
Thromb Dis 1:104. Doi: 10.4172/2329-8790.1000104

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