SALMON

RECOGNIZING GENETIC CODE

• What is genetic code?
• What are the components of genetic code?
• How does genetic engineering affect genetic code?

Genetic Code is the nucleotide triplets of DNA and RNA molecules that carry genetic Information. The genetic equivalent of words are codons, strings of three nucleotides interpreted as a single unit. Each codon specifies an amino acid, one of the building blocks of proteins.

COMPONENTS

• The genetic code allows for an organism to translate the genetic information found in its chromosomes into these valuable proteins which basically make up humans.
• The genetic information is made in four nucleotide bases. A,T,C and G. These letters are common for every organism but code in different patterns.
• The genetic code is created in 2 main steps in all organisms called Protein Synthesis. Transcription and Translation. Transcription allows for DNA to decode into mRNA and Translation allows for proteins to be made.

EFFECTS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING ON GENETIC CODE

• With genetic engineering, genetic code is being altered but by artificial means. DNA is universal and a language used and meant the same thing in every living organism. This genetic code and DNA is a characteristic that is critical to the success of genetic engineering. And when a gene (which is made up of DNA) for a desirable trait is taken from one organism and inserted into another organism it gives the organism receiving the gene the ability to express that same trait!

DNA is made up of four different bases- adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. These four bases provide the genetic code for all organisms. DNA and the four bases that make it up contain all of the information relevant to traits. These four bases, as well as DNA and the gene sequence, are common to all organisms. This allows for certain genes to be modified, extracted, or added. The process of modifying an organism’s DNA and genes is called genetic engineering. Genetic engineering allows for certain organisms to possess desired traits that they would not normally possess.

DNA EDITING

• The nucleus is the “brain of the cell”, and also contains the DNA. Nuclei are contained inside of a single cell, and many cells make up an entire organism. In fact, the human body contains around 37.2 trillion cells on average. To isolate the DNA, cells are extracted and the membrane and nucleus are dissolved in a chemical solution, and the DNA is taken and cleaned, and then used. Genes in the DNA are modified or extracted during genetic engineering.

GMO

CROSS BREEDING SALMON

• If the Atlantic salmon and brown trout reproduce, a salmon-trout hybrid would be made. 363 salmon were reproduced from the two fish. Only 40% of the hybrids had the modified genes, the other 60% being carriers of the gene. The researchers soon saw that some of the younger fish grew extremely quickly. They also found out that the new salmon hybrids grew faster than the genetically modified salmon. The scientists did a mock upstream test where they put the both genetically modified salmon and hybrids. The results came out that the hybrids ended up swimming faster upstream than the genetically modified salmon.

DNA MODIFICATION

• Genetic engineering is used to insert a desired gene from one organism to another, so that the organism possesses the desired trait. It is often used to produce better crops. The desired trait is first extracted from a certain organism using restriction enzymes. Then, a plasmid, a circle of DNA and genes, is opened up, also using restriction enzymes. Certain genes are cut out and the desired trait is inserted there. The plasmid is then sealed using DNA Ligase. After, the plasmid is put into a host bacterium or cell by heating it to make its membrane more permeable so the plasmid can enter. Once the plasmid is inside, the trait is expressed.

25%OF PEOPLE SURVEYED

Salmon are usually unable to grow in the winter due to the cold temperatures and icy waters. As a result, the salmon never grow to their full potential. To change this, anti-freeze genes from the Chinook salmon and ocean pout are inserted into other salmon’s gene sequence so they have this trait. This also allows the salmon to grow in the winter and grow much larger and faster. A GMO salmon is able to grow two or more times faster in the same amount of time. The anti-freeze gene from the Chinook salmon is also put into other foods. This gene is often put in tomatoes: a fruit that does not grow steadily during the winter.

THE CONTROVERSY

STUDIES

• Salmon were actually the first genetically animal food to be approved by the FDA. To do this, the FDA studied GMO’s and their effects on people for a long time. The methods first used to test salmon are still used today to test other GMO animal products. Since this was the first genetically modified animal food, scientists took extreme care in developing the salmon.

STATISTICS

Experts and scientists claim that nearly 2 dozen studies show bad effects from these genetically modified foods that humans consume. Bad effects include harm to the kidneys, liver, heart, and other organs. People who are against GMO’s believe that it can be harmful to plants and animals. An agency of the World Health Organization has proved and classified that the main chemical use used in GMO’s as “probable carcinogen” (meaning, that these people truly believe this can increase the risk of cancer). The maker (Mosanto) of the GMO’s obviously had disagreed with this logic. One of the scientists working for Mosanto says,
“They’re the most thoroughly tested food on the market.”

Salmon aren't the only animals that are genetically modified....

MONKEYS

• Genetic engineering is happening and changing everyday. A recent news made about 3 days ago on January 25th explains how genetically modified monkeys that develop symptoms of autism have been created to help scientists discover treatments for the condition. Currently, more than 150 monkeys are being tested in China. Researchers say groups of the genetically modified monkeys could be used to identify brain circuits involved in common autistic behaviors and can be used to test new treatments that could be created to reduce the symptoms. Scientists think that the monkeys passing on the genetic defects to their offspring will give scientists a large animal population to breed for medical purposes and research.

WORKS CITED

• “The Truth About GMOs: Are They Safe? What Do We Know?" WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.
• Pollack, Andrew. "Genetically Engineered Salmon Approved for Consumption." The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Nov. 2015. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.
• "Genetic Code." - Biology Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.
• "UNL's AgBiosafety for Educators." UNL's AgBiosafety for Educators. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.
• "AquAdvantage Salmon." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/business/genetically-engineered-salmon-ap...

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