Genetically modified organisms

Course unit title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Genetically modified organisms

Biology N 010

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

2

Self-studies

6

Seminars

0

Aims of course

To expand doctoral students' knowledge of methods used for development and testing genetically modified organisms; to acquaint with the uses of GMO, main international agreements on the regulation of GMOs, the possible impact of GMOs on the environment and society, the arguments of proponents and opponents

Main topics

The concept of genetically modified organisms (GMO). History of GMOs. Genetic Engineering (GE) and other GMO technologies. Non-GE and GE methods. Stability, heritability and dispersal of transgenes. Genetically modified microorganisms, their use. Genetically modified plants. Methods for the development of genetically modified plants. Areas of use of genetically modified plants. The most common transgenes in plants. Genetically modified animals. Methods for the development of genetically modified animals. Areas of use of genetically modified animals. The most common transgenes in animals. Genetic doping. Uses of GMOs in agriculture. GMOs in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. The controversary about GMOs. Methods and principles of risk assessment of genetically modified organisms. GMOs safety testing. Animal models. The impact of genetically modified organisms on the environment, its pros and cons. Influence of genetically modified organisms on biodiversity. GMOs in food and feed. Potential threats. The development of a general regulatory framework on GMOs. Legislation governing the development, Safety and use of GMOs. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Codex Alimentarius. National legislation of GMOs and GM foods. Substantial equivalence principle. Differences in GMO regulation between countries. GMO labeling. Public awareness on GMO products. Proponents and opponents of GM technology. Arguments against GMOs and GM foods. The social and economic effects of GE crops and other GMOs. Roles of mass media.

Main literature

• Mahgoub S.E.O., Nollet L.M.L. Testing and analysis of GMO-containing foods and feed. CRC Press. 2019. 
• Watson R.R., Preedy V.R. Genetically modified organisms in food. Production, safety, regulation and public helth. Academic Press. 2016.
• Parekh R. S. The GMO handbook. Humana press. 2004.
• Bishop M. Genetically modified organisms. Restrictions in 23 countries and the European Union. Nova publishers. 2016.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam

During the exam, the student answers three open questions. Passing score: 5. Knowledge and skills are evaluated with points from 1 to 10. 10 (excellent) - excellent, exceptional knowledge and abilities, 91-100 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 9 (very good) - very good knowledge and abilities, 81-90 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 8 (good) - knowledge and abilities are above average (a student independently, reasonably, clearly states the essence of the given question, is well acquainted with the terminology of the taught subject), 71-80 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 7 (average) - average knowledge and abilities; there are few not essential mistakes (a student independently but incoherently and without justification sets out the essence of the question, uses the basic definitions of the subject), 61-70 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 6 (satisfactory) - knowledge and abilities are below average, there are mistakes, 56-60 percentile of the intended learning outcome (a student independently, but inconsistently, superficially, unclearly presents the essence of the question, understands the main definitions of the subject); 5 (weak) - knowledge and abilities meet the minimum requirements (a student independently but vaguely, without analysis, inconsistently presents the essence of the question, partially understands the basic definitions of the subject), 50-55 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 4,3,2,1 (insufficient) - the minimum requirements are not met.

Juozas Rimantas Lazutka

prof.

Donatas Žvingila

prof.

Approved by the Council of Doctoral School of Life Sciences Center No (4.10)600000-KT-… on the 14th of October 2021

Chairman dr. Daiva Baltriukienė