Non-GMO Foods

Introduction

  GMO foods are unsafe and they are associated with unintended undesirable consequences. CRISPR is a unique repeated DNA which is used for genome editing. However, there is an argument that the CRISPR produces foreign DNA sequences. Thus, the article addresses the problem of using foreign DNA and the importance of using DNA-free genome editing. The article provides a persuasive tone to let the audience see the importance of using the RGEN RNP tool for genome editing. Note that CRISPR/ Cas 9 technology has been used in genome editing. However, the technology has limitations such as off-target effect. RGEN RNPs technique (DNA-free editing) should be used to induce mutations since it is effective in target sites or it targets site-specific mutations and reduces off-target mutation.

Summary

  Kanchiswamy et al. (2015) asset that RGENs derived from CRISPR are commonly used in genome editing because they are affordable and scalable. However, they are associated with off-target effects and unintended DNA integration. The authors say that researchers have revolutionized a new technology known as RGEN RNPs which enable site-specific nucleases (Kanchiswamy et al. 2015). RGEN RNPs produce efficient genome editing and avoids foreign genetic elements in plant cells. Thus, scientists should use RGEN RNP as an alternative to CRISPR. This is because, RGEN RNP is delivered directly to the cells electroporation and once it enters into the cells, it starts to cut immediately (Kanchiswamy et al. 2015). There is no RNP replacement and hence no molecural footprint occurs.  It is also important to note that RGEN RNP ensures editing efficiency through recombinant Cas enzymes.  

 

Appeal to logos

 The article uses an appeal to logos or in other words, it persuades the audience by using a diagram that shows how RGEN RNPs target the cell and avoids unintended integration of DNA.  The article states that in genome editing, it is important to select the target site to achieve the epigenetic change. Thus, an epiphenomena editing tool that will target a specific site and delivered into plant cells are needed to achieve the desired modifications (Kanchiswamy et al. 2015). RGEN RNPs is an effective DNA-free editing tool as it has allele-specific.

Appeal to ethos

 The article uses an appeal to ethos by stating that the US Department of Agriculture supports the use of RGEN RNPs as it target specific DNA sequences and hence it does not produce GMO products. RGEN RNPs prevents foreign DNA as it specifically targets DNA regions and modifies specific traits (Kanchiswamy et al. 2015). RGEN RNPs are precise and efficient in that during genome editing, it does not leave foreign sequences or in other words, genome editing occurs at DNA specific sites. This means that the USDA has done a comprehensive research and found that RGEN RNPs produce non-GMO products. 

Appeal to pathos

 The article uses an appeal to pathos by stating that currently, the agricultural system has the responsibility of feeding the world population. However, the food is scarce due to climate change, severe warming, drought, and other factors that cause the reduction of food production (Kanchiswamy et al. 2015). Another problem is that plant factories are using methods such as genetic engineering to stabilize the yield of the product. However, genetic engineering is associated with undesirable characteristics. Thus, measures are needed to maintain agricultural food security and ensure that the modern technologies used for plant moderation have global acceptance (Kanchiswamy et al. 2015). The article goes on to assert that if RGEN RNP could be widely adopted, there will be non-GMO as a result of crop improvement.

Conclusion

The article has shown that genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 have limitations since they induce off-target mutations due to DNA mismatches. However, the article affirms that scientists should adopt the new technology known as RGEN RNPs since it is a DNA-free genome editing that reduces off-target mutations, offers high specificity, and avoids random integration of DNA. 

 

 

 

References

 

Kanchiswamy, C. N., Malnoy, M., Velasco, R., Kim, J., & Viola, R. (2015). Non-GMO genetically edited

crop plants. Trends in Biotechnology, 33(9), 489-491. doi:

http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.04.002