Parasites Alter Butterfly Genomes Using Viruses

Genetically modified organisms (GMO's) are usually known as a creation of human, but insect studies show otherwise. Researchers have found modified genetics in butterflies and moths, but they weren't caused from humans. These modified genetics were caused by a virus that weaves through DNA. Parasitic insects known as braconid wasps lay eggs inside of caterpillars and hatch into larvae. The wasps also inject bracoviruses that incorporate themselves into the genome of caterpillars. These modifications will be passed on to other generations. Scientists believe that some butterflies and moths have kept these wasp genes because they protect against other viruses that could be harmful. Scientists also believe that insects that are genetically modified by humans have the potential to transfer to other insects, and therefore we must be fully aware of what genes are modified.

This article was very interesting to read. I am on the fence about genetically modified organisms, and when I found out that insects that are genetically modified by humans have the potential to spread those modified genetics to other insects, it pushed me even further away from GMO's. What was also very interesting is that the wasp virus can completely change the genome of a caterpillar, and that genome is passed on to other generations. This is the first time I've heard of naturally occurring GMO's.

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GMO Potatoes

As of November 19, 2014, the New York Times released an article on the Department of Agriculture's approval of commercially planting G.M.O. potatoes. The reason for this modification was to reduce the amount of a potentially harmful ingredient, acrylamide, in French fries and potato chips, once the potato is fried. This ingredient is suspected of causing cancer in people. This new G.M.O. potato is also bruise proof, something that farmers and processors long sought after for financial purposes. A bruised potato can lose value or become unusable. Consumers are questioning the safety of this new genetically modified potato and may pose an issue for franchise companies such as McDonald's, who buy most of their potatoes from the companies that harvest G.M.O. potatoes. So far about 50 countries as well as the state of Vermont require that G.M.O. based foods be labeled and 20 additional states are considering similar laws.

Consumers these days seem to wave a pitch fork and torch at every new idea that comes their way, especially if its science based. For starters, Americans are anything but healthy and  frying potatoes will eventually clog your arteries regardless of whether they are genetically modified or not. To protest this modification, that is lessening the amount of a toxic cancer provoking ingredient in a widely consumed food, is just ridiculous. Consumers might as well protest conola oil, corn cereals, soy products, and refined sugar too, because they're genetically modified as well. I think we, as American citizens, should be thankful that scientists are looking to reduce toxicity in our foods as safety precautions rather than protesting them. 

Primary Article: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/food-fight-researching-and-debating-the-future-of-g-m-o-s/?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A18%22%7D&_r=0

Secondary Article: http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/23.genetically_modified_potato.html

Genetically Engineered Mice May Be Able to Detect Landmines

The mouse, a common sight in many biology laboratories, may help make the world a little bit safer.  Scientists at the Hunter College of the City University of New York have been working on breeding mice that can detect hidden landmines.  There are millions of hidden landmines scattered throughout the world, and current removal techniques are inefficient.  Prior to the research done at Hunter College, an organization in Belgium called APOPO has been training African pouched rats to detect landmines through scent.  The program has worked well, but training the rats takes several months and is cost prohibitive.



The scientists at Hunter College have been working to genetically engineer mice to make them extremely sensitive to TNT, a compound commonly found in mines.  The Food and Drug Administration defines genetic engineering as, “... a process in which recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology is used to introduce desirable traits into organisms.”  The mice were genetically modified to contain 10,000 to 1,000,000 odor-sensing neurons that can detect TNT.  This is a vast improvement over the typical 4,000 neurons found in a regular mouse.  Danny Dhanasekaran, a biologist at the University of Oklahoma, discovered that mice can detect TNT through the 2,4-dinitrotoluene-responsive receptor.  A recent study shows that mice can undergo seizures due to extremely strong scents.  It is hoped that the genetically engineered mice will go through an involuntary seizure to show the presence of a landmine.  This is currently being tested.  If successful, mice would not need expensive and lengthly training required to detect mines.

I found the research described in this article to be incredibly informative and innovative.  The scientists at Hunter College were able to use previous research conducted on mice scent receptors and behavior for a real life application.  The research highlights the benefits that can be had from genetically engineered organisms.  If the mice are successful in the field, they will have the ability to make certain parts of the world safer and alleviate human suffering.