Sheep and other animals have been genetically modified to produce human proteins.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are already a part of our lives. According to environmental website Goodplanet.info, 125 million hectares (309 million acres) were planted with genetically modified plants in 2007. Concerns about their impact on health and the environment are countered with claims of advantages such as increased production, less chemical pesticides and increased nutritional value. As the concerns and controversies continue, so does the production of GMO plants, animals, microbes and yeasts.
Plant GMOs
Plants are the most common GMO type in use today, and their modifications have been for a variety of purposes. GMO proponents claim that plants that have been modified to resist insect pests are good for the environment because they require fewer pesticides. Some plants have been modified to resist diseases that can seriously affect agricultural production, and GM farmers are quick to point out that this helps prevent food shortages and malnutrition in our over-populated world. The nutritional values of some crops have been enhanced by genetic modifications. Golden Rice, for instance, has been engineered to contain beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A.
Opposition groups such as the Institute of Science and Society (ISIS) and others concerned about the negative potential of GMO crops claim that the advantages they offer do not justify the risks inherent in their use. They point out the spread of genetically modified seeds and spores to conventional plants. They suggest that consumption of GMOs carry a risk to human health, but as yet, research has not proven any health risks.
Animal GMOs
Animal GMOs are less common, but they do exist. Mice are particularly prominent GMOs, and are used in many different areas of research. According to the Center for Genetics and Society, an actual industry has formed for the production of research mice that lack a particular set of genes. One company, Trans Genic Inc., stated in 2005 it could produce a thousand different strains of these so-called "knockout" mice in a year.
A number of animals, including cows, pigs, sheep and chickens, have been genetically modified to produce human proteins for medical purposes. In addition, fish modified to become glow-in-the-dark pets for aquariums reached the American market in 2004.
Microbial GMOs
In December, 2005, National Geographic published an article about bacteria that University of Texas students had genetically modified. E. coli bacteria were modified to react to light so as to produce a photograph. The experiment was devised for a genetic engineering contest sponsored by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and the result was intended to demonstrate the ability to genetically manipulate bacteria. Other microbial GMOs have been developed---aimed at everything from fighting dental cavities to preventing HIV.
Yeast GMOs
Wines made from yeast GMOs have been dubbed "Frankenwines."
Yeast is another type of commonly used GMO. For instance, despite objections from the Wine Institute---an advocacy group for California wineries---wine made from yeast with genes added from an African yeast and O. oeni bacteria went on the market in 2007. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was modified at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, to enhance the production of ethanol from biomass.
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