04/10/2020
According to WHO, there are five major concerns surrounding GMOs and the environment:
1) The capability of the GMO to escape and introduce engineered genes into wild populations
2) Susceptibility of (non-target) organisms to the gene product
3) The stability of the gene
4) Impacts on biodiversity
5) Increased use of chemicals (especially in the case of herbicides and GM plants)
If GMOs are introduced into the environment, they can affect biodiversity (e.g. more dominant new species can outcompete existing species). Although these same effects often also arise from the introduction of non-GM species, these potential effects are always considered, even if the chance a GM species can escape are incredibly slim.
As a team, we are following strict iGEM guidelines, including preventing GMO release into the environment by wearing safety gear in the lab to prevent contamination, using antibiotic resistance genes where necessary, and disposing of contaminated equipment in autoclave bags to ensure the GMO never leaves the lab. These guidelines make sure GM organisms never make it out of the laboratory during our research.
Alongside this, we are planning to test the efficacy of several different methods of removing GM bacteria from our calcium carbonate product before it is introduced to the natural environment. These potential methods include exposure to UV light, the introduction of a genetic kill switch, or treatment with antibacterials. We will be ensuring that the chosen method kills off one hundred percent of our bacteria before we even consider implementing it into the manufacturing process.
We hope this addresses any concerns you might have about our project and the safety concerns surrounding our GM bacteria getting into the environment 😊
