The image of a mad scientist injecting corn with a syringe full of DNA does not accurately portray the use of genetically modified organisms. Most transgenic work takes place in a laboratory with intensive attention to detail, says a professor at Purdue University. Peter Goldsbrough, professor of botany and plant pathology, talked about GMOs during an Extension event in Martinsville. “There’s a lot of misinformation and lack of knowledge about GMOs,” he said. “My goal is to try and help explain and answer questions and see where we’re going next. “Genetically modified organisms are a branch of biotechnology. We’ve been using biotechnology for a long time. Things like making bread, brewing beer and making wine are using biotechnologies like yeast to improve the product.”
Biotechnology extends beyond the food arena. In sewage treatment facilities, microorganisms are used to break down materials. In the medical field, biotechnology is used to make new drugs that treat diseases, or vaccines that prevent disease. In 1983, the first genetically modified plant using modern gene transfer methods was made. “Understanding DNA was just in the beginning stages,” Goldsbrough said. “We could take genes, modify them and move them to a plant. The idea is that you can take DNA from any organism, from a microbe or animal or another plant, and take useful genes and move them to another plant. “I think in the future we’ll be making our own genes — designer genes — to do useful things. We will be able to design new genes with functions we don’t know how to do at the moment.”