History



 XXXXX The best way to express changes over time is in a timeline (Gable, 2011). This timeline expresses how the past has lead humanity to the cultivation of genetically engineered foods. The timeline is expressed in such a way as to tell the story of factual events that has led up to Genetically Modified Foods. Up until the 1900s, plants were grown without the aid of genetic manipulation, however farmers were already selecting the best breeds and varities, however long before the term genetics was even coined into phrase farmers were already selecting the best breeds (Borlaug, 2008) We can see how in 1953 James Watson and Francis’ discovery of the double helix structure of DNA will eventually lead to the ability of scientists to identify and "splice" genes from one kind of organism into the DNA of another in 1973. These events laid the foundation for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that genetically altered life forms can be patented. This ruling allowed the Exxon Oil Company to patent an oil-eating microorganism which has saved countless creatures that depend upon the world’s oceans. The protection of intellectual properties allowed corporations the freedom to do what was best for the environment without risking their bottom lines.



 XXXXX From this point, a domino effect had begun; the green revolution had gained momentum and was not going to be stopped. In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first genetically engineered pharmaceutical. The Genentech Corporation introduced “Humulin”, a synthetic form of insulin that could be manufactured cheaply allowing for national distribution and a reliable treatment for diabetes. Consumers would finally benefit from the genetic engineering technologies they had supported, for a few dollars anyone could have access to life saving pharmaceuticals. In 1986 field tests began and in 1987 tobacco and tomatoes were being produced and distributed. In 1992 the approval of mass production was granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the same time the Food and Drug Administration declares that genetically engineered foods are "not inherently dangerous". (United States Food and Drug Administration 1992) The entire time line builds up to a point of present day where you can see in 2000 Monsanto who was an engineer with biotech bio engineered a soy bean using round up embedded within the DNA of the bean in order to eliminate the need for external pesticides, at the same time; International Biosafety Protocol is approved by 130 countries at the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal, Canada. The protocol agrees upon labeling of genetically engineered crops, but still needs to be ratified by 50 nations before it goes into effect. At present day none of the countries have passed any new regulations limiting, restricting, or banning GMO product, and more scientific research is needed to determine the health effects of ingesting the products.

0 A.D. to 1900

Gatherers find food from plants they find in nature, and farmers plant seeds saved from domesticated crops.

1900 Gregor Mendel's genetic theory is widely used.

1953 James Watson and Francis Crick publish their discovery of the three-dimensional double helix structure of DNA.

1973 Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen combine their research to create the first successful recombinant DNA organism.

1980 Case of U.S. Supreme Court in //Diamond v. Chakrabarty// rules that genetically altered life forms can be patented.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1982 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the first genetically engineered drug.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1986 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The first field tests of genetically engineered plants (tobacco) are conducted in Belgium.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1987 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The first field tests of genetically engineered crops (tobacco and tomato) are conducted in the United States.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1992 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Calgene's Favr Savr tomato, engineered to remain firm for a longer period of time, is approved for commercial production by the US Department of Agriculture.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1992 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The FDA declares that genetically engineered foods are "not inherently dangerous" and do not require special regulation.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1994 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The European Union's first genetically engineered crop, tobacco, is approved in France.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">1997 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The European Union adopts the labeling of GMO ingredients within products.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">2000 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">International Biosafety Protocol is approved by 130 countries at the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal, Canada. The protocol agrees upon labeling of genetically engineered crops, but still needs to be ratified by 50 nations before it goes into effect.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Monsanto who was an engineer with biotechbio engineered a soy bean using round up.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">2000 to Present – <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">none of the countries have passed any new regulations limiting, restricting, or banning GMO product.

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