Environmental impacts of

Genetically Modified
Organisms
(GMO’S)

Sivagurunathan .p
II M.Sc., Eco-Biotechnology

contact2sivas12@gmail.com
What is Gmo’s?

 A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically

engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose
genetic elements has been altered using genetic
engineering techniques
 These techniques, generally known as recombinant
DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different
sources, which are combined into one molecule to
create a new set of genes.

  This DNA is then transferred into an organism,

giving it modified or novel genes
 History of GMO’S

 The general principle of producing a GMO is to add new

genetic material into an organism's genome. This is called
genetic engineering and was made possible through the
discovery of DNA and the creation of the first recombinant
bacteria in 1973, i.e., E .coli expressing a Salmonella gene

 Herbert Boyer then founded the first company to use

recombinant DNA technology,

 Genentech, and in 1978 the company announced creation of

an E. coli strain producing the human protein insulin.
 n 1986, field tests of bacteria genetically engineere
protect plants from frost damage (ice-minus bacteria
a small biotechnology company called Advanced
Genetic Sciences of Oakland, California,
were repeatedly delayed by opponents of biotechno

In the same year, a proposed field test of a microbe

genetically engineered for a pest resistance protein
by Monsanto Company was dropped
 Transgenic Microbes

 Bacteria were the first organisms to be modified in

the laboratory, due to their simple genetics
 These organisms are now used for several
purposes, and are
particularly important in producing large amounts
of
pure human proteins for use in medicine
 Genetically modified bacteria are used to produce
the protein insulin to treat diabetes

 Similar bacteria have been used to produce

clotting factors to treat hemophilia and human
growth hormone to treat various forms of dwarfism

 The ice-minus bacteria constructed from P.syringae

by removing genes that synthesize ice nucleating
proteins. The ice minus strain was shown to inhibit frost
damage to plants when the temperature drops a few
degrees freezing.
 For instance, the bacteria which cause tooth
decay are called Streptococcus mutants.

 These bacteria consume left over sugars in the

mouth, producing lactic acid that corrodes
tooth enamel and ultimately causes cavities.

 Scientists have recently modified Streptococcus

mutants to produce no lactic acid.

 These transgenic bacteria, if properly colonized in

person's mouth, could reduce the formation
of cavities.
 The Transgenic microbes are involved in Bioremediation
of Metals,Wastes,Hydrocarbons,etc..,

Example
 Pseudomonas putida strains discovered by
Dr. A.M chakrabarthy are
involved in the
degradation of hydrocarbons like
Naphthalene,
Camphor,
Octane,
Xylene,etc..,
 Plasmids are common vector for cloning and moving
transgenes from one organism to other,in conjugation
process these trans genes move into the other bacteria
in the Environment

 Some conjugative plasmids are highly promiscuous in their

ability to transfer widespread dispersion of antibiotic resistant
genes to the normal microbes.
 Genetically engineered viruses could infect any harm
non target hosts. Because viruses are obligate
intracellular parasites ,they require metabolizing
(living)cells to replicate their genomes and make their
progeny.

 The Genetically modified organisms are also used as

a weapon for the biological warfare.
 Transgenic Animals

ransgenic animals are used as experimental models

o perform phenotypic tests with genes whose
unction is unknown

Genetic modification can also produce animals that

are susceptible to certain compounds or stresses for
testing in biological research
Other applications include the
production of human hormones such as
insulin.
 Transgenic animals are produced for specific
economic traits.

 For example, transgenic cattle were created to

produce milk containing particular human
proteins, which may help in the treatment of
human emphysema

 Transgenic animals are produced as disease

models (animals genetically manipulated to
exhibit disease symptoms,
so that effective treatment can be studied
Agricultural Applications

 Farmers have always used selective breeding to

produce animals that exhibit desired traits
(e.g., increased milk production, high growth rate)

 Transgenic cows exist that produce more

milk or milk with less lactose or cholesterol.

 pigs and cattle that have more meat on them,

and sheep that grow more wool.

 Scientists are attempting to produce disease

resistant animals, such as influenza-resistant
pigs
Medical Applications

 The transgenic animals are involved in the

xenotransplantation

 The transgenic animals are also involved in the

Human gene theraphy

 Production of Growth hormones

 Toxicity-sensitive transgenic animals have been

produced for chemical safety testing.
 Human health risks:

 Such as Allergies, and unknown effects on

human health from foreign genes

Economic concerns:

 Bringing a genetically modified organisms

to market is a lengthy and costly process.
Exclusive rights and enforcement may also
be difficult
 The primary environmental concerns about
releases of transgenic fish, for example, include
competition with wild populations, movement of
the transgene into the wild gene pool, and
ecological disruptions due to changes in prey
and other nutrients requirements in the transgenic
variety versus the wild populations

 The transgenic animals does not have a longer

Shelf life Example:Dolly (sheep) born on 5 july
1996 and died at feb 14 2003.
 Transgenic Plants

ansgenic plants have been engineered to possess

everal desirable traits, including resistance to
sts, herbicides or harsh environmental conditions,
proved product shelflife, and increased nutritional v

nce the first commercial cultivation of genetically

odified plants in 1996, they have been modified to be
erant to the herbicides glufosinate and glyphosate, to b
sistant to virus damage as in Ringspot virus resistant
M papaya, grown in Hawaii, and to produce the Bt toxin,
potent insecticide.
 Increasing the Crop Yield

 Disease Resistance To Plants

 Insect Resistance To Plants

 Bioremediation of contaminated soils
 Salt tolerance to Plants
 Genetic engineering is commonly offered as a
hope
to improve crop production efficiency by enhancing
crop tolerance to various abiotic stresses such as
drought, salt and water (Wang et al. 2003,
Yamaguchi &Blumwald 2005)

 Herbicide-tolerant crops permit the use of broad

spectrum herbicides such as glyphosate glufosinate at
the post- emergence phase.Growers of GMHT crops
versus traditional crops benefit mainly from lower
costs due to simpler weed control.
 Insect-resistant GM crops are revealing benefits for
farmers,most of all where yields are hampered by high
pest or weed incidence or where the development of
resistant pests impedes the use of pesticides
(FAO 2004, Raney 2006)

 The benefits related to the adoption of Bt-crops may

comprise both higher yields and significant reductions
in pesticide use for crops

 The use of Bt-crop can lower costs by reducing the

application of insecticides for pest control
Gene flow to wild Relatives:

 Pollen transfer to Wild relatives and hybrid formation

 Survival and Reproduction of Hybrids

 Transgenic population (hybrids / crops) with enhanced

fitness compared to wild population

 Survival &reproduction outside of cultivated areas

Environmental Fate of Transgenic products

 Persistence, degradation and spread of

transgenic products

 Accumulation of Transgenic products in soil.

 Emission of transgenic products into water

 Effects on Non-Target organisms:

 For the currently commercially cultivated GM crops,

it is generally accepted that toxic effects on non-
target organisms are restricted to GM crops
expressing insecticidal proteins(Wolfenbarger &
Phifer 2000, Dale et al. 2002, Conner et al. 2003).

 There are concerns that insect-resistant GM crops could harm

resistance conferred via expression of Cry-proteins
organisms other than the pest(s) targeted by the toxin. Insect
from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is by far the most common trait
that has been engineered into plants. To date Bt-toxins1)
represent the only insecticidal proteins expressed in
commercial GM crops (James 2005, AGBIOS 2006).
 Several authors have proposed procedures on how to
assess the risks that insect resistant GM crops may pose
to non-target organisms
(Cowgill & Atkinson 2003, Duttonet al. 2003,
EFSA 2004, Poppy & Sutherland 2004, Rose 2006).
 Effects of Bt-crops expressing
Cry1-proteins on non-target
arthropods(moths and butterflies)
Lepidoptera (Dutton et al. 2003).

 Typically, they were selected according to their

importance
in providing relevant ecological functions in crops,
such as natural regulation of pests, as well as bees and
other pollinating insects that are often essential for high
yields in crop production
 Effects on beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids)

 A lot of attention has been paid in recent years to investigate

potential adverse effects of Bt-crops expressing Cry1-protein
on beneficial insects such as predators and parasitoids
( O’Callaghan et al. 2005, Romeis et al. 2006)

 Predators and parasitoids (so-called natural enemies) are

important regulators of insect pest populations, playing a vital
role in biological control.
 Effects on pollinators
 Many insect species are known to act as pollinators of various
crops and wild plants. They are therefore of great ecological
and economic importance. Among the various insect pollinators
honey bees are the best known, but it is now recognized that
other species like bumble bees and solitary bees are also
important in ensuring pollination of many plant species.

 Pollen feeding represents the most likely route of exposure to

Bt-toxins for adult honey bees (Malone & Pham-Delegue 2001),
because pollen is the main source of proteins for adult bees
(Crailsheim 1990
 Impacts of GM crops on soil ecosystems

 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil bacterium, Bt- toxins

are naturally occurring in soils. In addition, Bt-spray
formulations are commonly used for insect control in
agriculture and forestry (Walker et al. 2003)

 Due to their high specificity they are regarded as

environmentally friendly and have rarely been found to
have adverse effects on non target organisms and human
health (Glare & O’Callaghan 2000
 Bt-toxins expressed in Bt-crops can enter the soil
system via root exudates, senescent plant material
remaining on or in the ground after harvest, as well
as damaged and castoff dead root cells (Saxena et al;
1999, Zwahlen et al. 2003a, Baumgarte & Tebbe 2005).

 Persistence of Bt-toxins in soil is primarily depending on

the protein quantity added and on the rate of inactivation
and degradation by biotic and abiotic factors
(Dubelman et al. 2005).
 Resistance Development:

 Resistance development in target pest / disease

 Loss of Effectiveness of transgenic product

 Selection of herbicide tolerant wild plants/Reduced

effectiveness of specific herbicide

 Changes in Pest/disease control strategies

Effects on Agricultural methods & cropping system:

 Changes in cultivation practice/tillage

 Changes in cropping intervals/cultivation area

 Changes in spectrum of pests, diseases and

beneficial organisms
 Changes in physical, chemical and biological
soil characteristics

 Decrease in soil quality/Effects on biodiversity