Question

18. Which of the following is an example of a GMO?I

Answer 1

Answer: e.  All answers are correct

Explanation:

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose characteristics have been changed, using genetic engineering techniques, to introduce genes from other species. These techniques make it possible to separate, modify and transfer parts of the DNA of one living being (bacterium, virus, plant, animal or human) to introduce it into that of another. Thus, different organisms can be given new characteristics or properties that they did not have before.

Examples of GMOs include microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts, plants, insects, fish and other animals. These organisms can be the source of genetically modified foods, or be used in scientific research to produce goods other than food.

Possible genetic modifications that can be used include mutation, insertion and deletion of genes. When genetic material is inserted it usually comes from another species, similar to the horizontal transfer that occurs in nature. To artificially produce this transfer it is usually necessary to resort to different techniques. Genes can be incorporated into a virus or they can be physically injected into the cell nucleus with an ultrafine needle. Other techniques take advantage of the ability of certain organisms such as lentiviruses or some bacteria such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer genetic material to animals and plants.

a. Golden rice: It is variety of rice produced through genetic engineering, biosynthesizing the beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) precursors in the edible parts of the rice grain.

b. Animals expressing antibiotics to prevent illness: Animals do not express any antibiotic. So they can only express it if they are genetically modified.

c. Fish expressing genes that allow them to mature faster than normal fish: These fish must have a gene from another species, so that they can express characteristics that make them faster.

d. BT corn: Bt corn is a type of transgenic corn that produces a protein of bacterial origin. The Cry protein, produced naturally by Bacillus thuringiensis, is toxic to stalk borer larvae, which are killed by eating Bt corn leaves or stalks.

e. All answers are correct, this is the right answer.