History of Genetically Modified Food

  • Feb 9, 1000

    Egyptians discover how to make bread using yeast. Chinease discover how to use lactic acid bacteria to make yougurt, molds to produce cheese, and fermentation to make vinegar, soy sauce and wine.

    Egyptians discover how to make bread using yeast. Chinease discover how to use lactic acid bacteria to make yougurt, molds to produce cheese, and fermentation to make vinegar, soy sauce and wine.
    4000 BC:This is a significant event because this was the first step toward genetically modified foods. People used the materials available and made with them new products. Without this people would'nt have thought genetically modified foods were possible and would'nt have tried anything new.
  • Edward Buchner demonstrates that fermentation could occur with an extract of yeast in the absence of intact yeast cells. This is a founding moment in biochemistry and enzymology.

    Edward Buchner demonstrates that fermentation could occur with an extract of yeast in the absence of intact yeast cells. This is a founding moment in biochemistry and enzymology.
    I think this event is important because as it says in the text, it is a founding moment in biochemistry and enzymology. It gives an explanation to why the yeast reacts that way causing fermentation, and gives scientists ideas for future experimentation.
  • In the UK, genes are added to potato plants to make them produce more protein and increase their nutricional value. Research into other foods included removing allergy-causing proteins from peanuts.

    In the UK, genes are added to potato plants to make them produce more protein and increase their nutricional value. Research into other foods included removing allergy-causing proteins from peanuts.
    This is important because this generates new ideas in how problems can be solved. Scientists are now beginning to genetically modify foods in order to increase nutrients that benefits the body. This opens up a whole new window of opportunities and gives a possible problem solving technique.
  • Scientists in Japan clone eight identical calves using cells from a single adult cow.

    Scientists in Japan clone eight identical calves using cells from a single adult cow.
    Cloning gives scientists and reaserchers a new view in modified food. by cloning cows they can open up many possibilities. For example, they can use the clones' meat as food or even use cloning to revive an extinct or endangered especies.
  • A single gene from Arabidopsis is inserted into tomato plants to create the first crop able to grow in salty water and soil.

    A single gene from Arabidopsis is inserted into tomato plants to create the first crop able to grow in salty water and soil.
    This event is important because this was the first successful genetically modified food that was changed to resist conditions that would've normally killed the tomato plant.
  • Researchers sequence the DNA of rice, the main food source for two-thirds of the world's population. It is the first crop plant to have its genome decoded.

    Researchers sequence the DNA of rice, the main food source for two-thirds of the world's population. It is the first crop plant to have its genome decoded.
    Rice is the first crop plant to have its genome, which is the full DNA sequence of an organism, decoded. Scientists are now starting to interconnect genetics, reproduction, and plants to create genetically modified food.
  • Australia passes two pieces of federal legislation to regulate cloning and embryonic stem ell research. The first law, outlaws any form of human cloning, wether it be to generate tissues or a new human being. The second law, allows researchers to access s

    Australia passes two pieces of federal legislation to regulate cloning and embryonic stem ell research. The first law, outlaws any form of human cloning, wether it be to generate tissues or a new human being. The second law, allows researchers to access s
    There are finally laws to regulate how much experimenting a scientist can do. Even though scientists can't use cloning for any reasons, it is just to protect the people from possible outcomes. This "Research Involving Human Embryos Act" gives people the reasurrence that scientists can further experiment embryos ,but only when permitted and with strict conditions. This calms most mothers and still pleases the scientists.
  • CSIRO develops a test to distinguish between different strains or forms of the avian flu virus, and to provide early warning of the emergence of potentially lethal strains in chicken farms.

    CSIRO develops a test to distinguish between different strains or forms of the avian flu virus, and to provide early warning of the emergence of potentially lethal strains in chicken farms.
    We are now able to differentiate between different forms of viruses. This is a great asset to the medical departments. The early warning of lethal strains comes through the use of modified foods. This is a new beginning for the way viruses are detected. More research on this topic will be seen soon, bringing us many benefits.
  • United States Food and Drug Administration conclude that food and food products derived from cloned animals or their offspring are as safe to eat as that from non-cloned animals.

    United States Food and Drug Administration conclude that food and food products derived from cloned animals or their offspring are as safe to eat as that from non-cloned animals.
    This event diminishes any worry people have had about cloned animal meat. It ensures them that the food genetically modified is safe to eat and not hazardous to their health, and provides support for the modified food.
  • Scottich researchers genetically modify chickens to lay eggs producing drugs that fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

    Scottich researchers genetically modify chickens to lay eggs producing drugs that fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
    Scientists are finally succesfull at actually creating a way to use genetically engineered food as a way to cure illnesses. Since food is eaten more regularly and is needed for survival, maybe by adding clinical functions to the foods will illustrate a new, more effective way of treating diseases like cancer.
  • Genetically Modified crops will have a greater benefit to people by being able to detect and eliminate diseases found in food. They will also be able to add a higher nutricion value and less amount of fat.

    Genetically Modified crops will have a greater benefit to people by being able to detect and eliminate diseases found in food. They will also be able to add a higher nutricion value and less amount of fat.
    This will help prevent a mayority of the diseases and wil be a simpler way to aproach the diseases. Since Genetically Modified food have already gone a long way, researchers will probably find another way to use this as a benefit. The percent of allergens in food will decrease, even though the amount of chemicals in the food increase.
  • The GM crops will not only be able to resist droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes, but will also be able to survive without its most necessary elements. It will probably be able to survive without carbon dioxide, water , and even sunlight by having them

    The GM crops will not only be able to resist droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes, but will also be able to survive without its most necessary elements. It will probably be able to survive without carbon dioxide, water , and even sunlight by having them
    This will be very important because the people will be able to grow more crops that can grow in about anywhere. Soon maybe scientists will discover a way to produce more water by genetically modifying it. These changes will eliminate the effort put in by farmers all around the world to grow these crops. They will be able to grow it anywhere.