The genetic modification of food products is rising in this cultural zeitgeist. Therefore, this means that technology is developing so rapidly, that making a distinction between different types of genetically modified foods can be extremely difficult.
In fact, the latest type of genetic modification is called ‘Synbio’, which is now offering an entirely new type of purpose in the consumer food market. Therefore, the advancement of technology has allowed scientists to start creating products without a living host!
What is Genetic Modification?
Genetic modification is a process that alters the genes of a living thing to improve or change its character. Genes can be swapped across species such as plants or animals to make it develop in varied ways. It can also allow us to produce microorganisms with specific qualities or they can even be switched off to avoid certain characteristics from developing.
Microbial Diagrams
The microbial diagrams were developed as a method of building up knowledge to genetic modification. I have used the lab-growth medium of agar plates to showcase what exactly may be hiding within the genetically modified food products that we purchase.
Genetically modified tomatoes have been used as a tool to draw directly onto the nutrient agar dish. Stalks leaves and even the technology within my own home were all swabbed in order to translate my designs into an illustrated outcome by using live bacteria!
Selective Breeding
A traditional method of genetic modification is selective breeding. It involves mixing thousands of genes together in order to achieve desirable results. People have been breeding animals and cultivating varieties of plants this way for hundreds of years to develop or avoid certain qualities in food products.
Genetic Modification
The development of technology has allowed scientists to do selective breeding in a more precise way than previously. Gene technology can speed up the process in comparison to traditional methods of genetic modification. Therefore, gene transfers can be achieve very accurately without all the unwanted bits that come along with it.
Synthetic Biology ('Synbio')
'Synbio’, has been recently introduced into the food web, allowing scientists to cultivate their own food products without a living host and are not found in nature. The immense benefits that come with this new and advanced type of genetic modification, means that scientists and engineers can now make food more nutritious and better for gut health.
Next time you decide to buy food products that are genetically modified, remember there is no one type of genetic modification in the food web. It may not be not be as clear on the food packaging itself, but it can certainly be explored within the science behind it.
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