What is GMO?
The acronym GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. What is most confusing about this definition is the use of the word "Modified". The dictionary's definition of the word “Modified” is to make changes, to improve, or even restrict.
However, it is not quite accurate to say that GMO is MODIFIED or simply changed, and here is why.
In the sense of GMO, "Modified" actually means that a foreign gene has been artificially INSERTED into another organism. This gene can come from an entirely different species or even a bacterium.
We see this most often in plants, making crops more tolerant of drought or resistant to a disease such as blight.
The gene that is inserted into the organism is called a transgene.
A transgene is a gene that is artificially introduced or inserted into the genome of another organism, and in this way making the organism a GMO.
As we can see, MODIFIED should be more like INSERTED or INTRODUCED or better yet, ADDED or GAO rather than a GMO!
WHAT IS GENE EDITING?
Gene editing is the process of using technologies such as, but not limited to, CRISPR/Cas 9, to make changes in the genetic code of an organism.
Can you see now where the confusion comes from when we talk about either GMO or gene editing. They are entirely different!
Gene editing is unlike GMO because we are not introducing any new genetic material, rather we are helping the cell in question to repair itself.
By using technology such as CRISPR, we can politely ask the cell to repair itself in such a way that the cell now has the trait we were looking for. This repair allows for the cell to gain a naturally occurring benefit such as disease resistance or improved heat tolerance.
We are simply tapping into the animal’s DNA to access the health benefits that are already and naturally there.
CAN CRISPR BE USED TO MAKE GMO?
Yes!
CRISPR technology can be used to make GMO when instead of repairing a cell, we artificially insert new genetic material in the form of a transgene.
CRISPR is a technology that allows us to either make GMO or to gene edit an organism, depending on how the alteration happens.
HOW IS PRECISION BREEDING DIFFERENT FROM CONVENTIONAL BREEDING OR GMO?
Let’s talk about conventional breeding and what that is for a second.
Farmers have livestock and this livestock is bred to improve certain aspects. For example, the Holstein black and white cows are excellent at producing milk. This is something they have been bred for and selected for...for a very long time. In fact, for hundreds of years.
But most of them have horns.
If we breed an excellent milk producer to another breed of cattle that doesn’t have horns, it will take many years to get the trait to show in the Holstein with every single breeding. We will also sacrifice the milk production and we won’t be able to register the animal as purebred. All of these factors affect the farmer.
The ability to use CRISPR allows us to speed up the process of selection without the use of transgenes. Since we have breeds of cattle such as Angus that don’t have horns, we can unlock the animal’s DNA to express that highly desired trait in just one breeding cycle.
Check out our infographic below.
What are some of the traits you are working on?
One of the traits that we present is called SLICK. It helps cattle become more heat tolerant.
Polled or hornless cattle is another trait that we have worked on.
There are also certain disease resistant traits, as well as castration free traits that are in the pipeline.
HOW DOES ACCELIGEN KNOW WHICH TRAITS TO WORK ON?
That is a great question!
You see, while many of us who work at Acceligen have backgrounds in the farm industry, we now work in the corporate world.
In order to bring forth traits that are important to the industry, we work with breed associations and with breeders, also known as farmers and/or ranchers. We also work with NGOs and pretty much everyone throughout the value chain.
We rely on the market input from those who will use and benefit from technological advances most.
HOW DOES GENE EDITING HELP FARMERS?
Gene editing offers significant benefits to American farmers who are already in the forefront of cattle genetics and selection. We are placing American farmers First by offering advantage of accelerated trait introduction into livestock herds.
Instead of spending decades trying to incorporate a single trait while preserving other valuable characteristics like milk production, gene editing can expedite this process significantly. This not only helps farmers manage animal stress more effectively but also keeps their operational costs down.
Additionally, gene editing can contribute to reducing the reliance on medicinals in farming. For instance, if procedures like dehorning become obsolete, there will be no need to administer lidocaine to calves, thereby cutting costs. Furthermore, farmers will no longer have to perform this unpleasant task, freeing up time and resources that can be redirected towards enhancing productivity and creating more American job opportunities within the American agricultural sector.
AMERICAS SOLUTIONS FOR EMERGING MARKETS
The integration of the heat tolerance trait, known as SLICK, with elite American Angus genetics represents a groundbreaking approach that enhances the sustainable production of high-quality beef in tropical regions around the world.
This innovation not only bolsters animal health and performance under challenging thermal conditions, it significantly contributes to national food security by ensuring a sustainable supply of premium beef.
Traditionally, Angus cattle subjected to high heat indices would suffer severely. With the introduction of SLICK Angus bulls, tropical beef ranchers are able to pasture breed with Nellore and Brahman cows, producing certified Angus beef for the first time.
This helps keep Elite American Angus genetics at the forefront, ensuring that our nation continues to lead in agricultural innovation and food security.
how does gene editing help you & me, the consumer?
We all care about the source of our food, and it's crucial to recognize the importance of animal protein, which is more bioavailable and beneficial for our health.
When the animals in our food supply chain are spared from stress, they require fewer medicinals, leading to a healthier and more sustainable food system that benefits everyone.
By choosing to have gene edited animals in the food supply chain, we are supporting animal well-being & our local farmers.
We all need to do our part.
HOW CAN GENE EDITING HELP ANIMALS?
Gene editing helps with animal well-being and here is how.
With the polled trait, calves would no longer have to undergo dehorning.
Calves would not have to be injected with medicinals and less stress is just better.
With the SLICK trait, cattle will be able to handle tropical and subtropical climates.
How do you feel after spending a whole day outside in the heat? Thirsty, lightheaded and wanting for some air conditioning? Cattle too can get heat stress. They get very thirsty and sometimes refuse food. When cattle don’t eat, they don’t absorb nutrients which can make them ill. Cows produce less milk for their calves. There may even be need for veterinary intervention and medicinals.
Cattle with the SLICK gene can withstand challenging environments without the added stress or sickness.
And you can imagine how disease resistance can help. The animals don’t become ill, don’t need medication, making the trait a win-win.
How can gene editing help with the cost cutting measures?
In hotter, less hospitable climates, we tend to build barns for our cattle. There, the cattle can find shade & comfort.
These barns are most often equipped with very large and noisy fans that run most of the day, using electricity. These fans help cool the cattle.
Heat tolerance trait can help cattle remain in the fields longer, reducing the need for additional buildings, fans & electricity.
There are other ways of course that gene editing can help, including but not limited to animals requiring fewer natural resources such as water or less use of antibiotics, reduced hormone use and reduced waste.
IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MILK OR MEAT FROM A PRECISION BRED ANIMAL FROM ONE THAT WAS TRADITIONALLY BRED?
There is no nutritional, compositional or quality difference.