One of the most intriguing applications of the intersection between art, science, and technology occurs in the field of biotechnology. An important application of biotechnology relates to the advent of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs involve genetic modification of certain organisms (i.e., food sources); proponents of GMOs argue that they have the potential to prevent disease, increase shelf life, and help solve issues of hunger throughout the world. GMOs are found in many types of food throughout the world (e.g., corn, sugar beet, canola). Bt corn is an example of a GMO that involves the genetic modification of corn plants by the company Monsanto in order to reduce mycotoxins. This can also help preserve the appearance of and shelf life of corn crops. In the image below, genetically modified Bt corn crops are shown in the first two rows from the left, while non-Bt corn crops are shown in the last row (on the far right).
Bt and Non-Bt Corn Crops. Reference: photo from https://cdn.agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HXYGUTCtop-HX-YGMIRBt11non-Bt-Porter2010.jpg
However, opponents of GMO crops argue that the risks of genetic modification are not well known and may cause adverse side effects and potential health issues. Others argue that the use of biotechnology (e.g., GMOs, pesticides, preservatives) in food can lead to foods that are unnatural and questionably safe to consume. In the video “McDonald’s Food Expirament (corrected: Experiment),” YouTube video creator javahippo illustrates how, after ten weeks, most common sandwiches (i.e., Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Filet-O-Fish) at the fast food chain McDonalds, were filled with mold and other fungal and/or bacterial growth. However, even after ten weeks, the French fries from McDonald’s exhibited no significant difference in appearance (i.e., no mold) ten weeks following purchase, when compared to the day of purchase. More research must be done on the long-term health and safety implications of biotechnology in food.
McDonald’s Big Mac ten weeks after purchase (4:10 in Video). Reference: photo from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6us9kHHSNwk
McDonald’s French fries ten weeks after purchase (4:34 in Video). Reference: photo from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6us9kHHSNwk
Finally, biotechnology has an important application in scientific research. Kathy High showcases the intersection of biotechnology with art and scientific research in the project “Embracing Animal.” Within “Embracing Animal,” transgenic rats (rats which have had their genome altered through human biotechnological intervention). In the experiment, three rats were studied “Matilda, Tara and Star. These are all transgenic (gene transfer) rats, HLAB27 transgenic rats to be precise, exhibiting a phenotype similar to humans suffering B27 related rheumatic disorders” (Kathy High 1). This project demonstrates the potential of transgenic laboratory animals (i.e., laboratory rats) to help study and develop treatments for diseases which plague other animals and humans. Nevertheless, it is important to take ethics into consideration when discussing the treatment of animals used in the laboratory.
Transgenic Rats in Kathy High’s project “Embracing Animal.” Reference: photo from http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html
There are definitely both sides to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and this all ties back to the importance of context and perspective. Many may view GMOs negatively because of their misconception of biotechnology and modifications to genetics, specifically science-fiction movies can heavily influence an individual to cause them to possibly believe that changes to genetic material like DNA are bad. On the contrary, in fact, our DNA is constantly changing, which is not necessarily a bad thing, and mutating depending on many factors including environment. It is also interesting to note how consumer labeling in foods can be misleading; “organic” foods can be GMOs. Looking at another part of biotechnology, the use of pesticides/antibiotics are regulated in some way but that does not mean some people do not try to find loopholes behind this. We know that the use of antibiotics is useful for preventing diseases in domesticated animals but this can be potentially detrimental considering antibiotic resistance and the unknown of long-term consequences. A lot of biological concepts are not considered by the general public, reiterating the significance of how much background knowledge people have.
ReplyDeleteHi Julia, I really like your post here! GMOs are a great example of biotechnology. I especially like the visuals you give to really explain your points. Great job!
DeleteHey Julia, I enjoyed reading your blog this week as I also wrote about GMO's in my blog. GMOs have made their impact on the food world and they have also made their impact on peoples mind. Due to the fact that GMOs have their genetic material genetically changed through biotechnology gives off the impression that it becomes fake food and has a negative impact on the human body. I liked your example of how everything except Mcdonalds French fries obtained mold after a certain amount of days. It shows how a GMO can be genetically modified to never expire or go bad. Great blog, it was a great read.
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