This is sad. People should be more aware of whats happening around them. They should be informed of what GMO really do. Just yesterday after our exam in Bio 121 Lab, there is a particular exhibit that caught our attention which features students experience with farmers. I have no knowledge or whatsoever about the political and economic side of the story but I am sure that the scientific basis of this advancement in science and technology is not harming humans. Bt corn, one of the earliest GMO products is just an example. Biotechnologists insert a portion of a gene from /Bacillus thuringiensis/ into the genome of the corn plant /Zea mays/. The portion of the gene from /B. thuringiensis/ produces a protein with insecticidal properties. Would that protein harm humans? NO. This protein, delta endotoxin, can only be activated on basic gut/stomach which is that of insects. Humans have acidic guts thanks to the very trusty hydrochloric acid (HCl), one of the strongest and corrosive acids there is. In conclusion, humans, even if they consume Bt corn, would not have negative effects especially because of the /Bacillus thuringiensis/ in particular. The plant would still be a corn but with an added resistance to insects. Nothing from the genes of the original corn plant has been deleted therefore it should be as functional as the non-Bt type of corn. If you are still anti-GMO, and if you happen to be a UP student, I encourage you to take MBB1 - An Introduction to Biotechnology which is an MST (all students can take it because it is a GE course) so that you can be enlightened on this topic.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 09:56:24 +0000
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