The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health
Gut luminal dysbiosis and pathobiosis result in compositional and biodiversified alterations in the microbial and host co-metabolites. The primary mechanism of bacterial evolution is horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the acquisition of new traits can be achieved through the exchange of mobile gene...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-01-01
|
| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/2/238 |
| _version_ | 1797297511726055424 |
|---|---|
| author | Aaron Lerner Carina Benzvi Aristo Vojdani |
| author_facet | Aaron Lerner Carina Benzvi Aristo Vojdani |
| author_sort | Aaron Lerner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gut luminal dysbiosis and pathobiosis result in compositional and biodiversified alterations in the microbial and host co-metabolites. The primary mechanism of bacterial evolution is horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the acquisition of new traits can be achieved through the exchange of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Introducing genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) might break the harmonized balance in the intestinal compartment. The present objectives are: 1. To reveal the role played by the GEMs’ horizontal gene transfers in changing the landscape of the enteric microbiome eubiosis 2. To expand on the potential detrimental effects of those changes on the human genome and health. A search of articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scielo from 2000 to August 2023 using appropriate MeSH entry terms was performed. The GEMs’ horizontal gene exchanges might induce multiple human diseases. The new GEMs can change the long-term natural evolution of the enteric pro- or eukaryotic cell inhabitants. The worldwide regulatory authority’s safety control of GEMs is not enough to protect public health. Viability, biocontainment, and many other aspects are only partially controlled and harmful consequences for public health should be avoided. It is important to remember that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and <i>primum non nocere</i> should be the focus. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:21:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f1fe538911734c2f934579e8306c24f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:21:22Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-f1fe538911734c2f934579e8306c24f62024-02-23T15:27:57ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-01-0112223810.3390/microorganisms12020238The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public HealthAaron Lerner0Carina Benzvi1Aristo Vojdani2Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, IsraelChaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, IsraelImmunosciences Lab., Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90035, USAGut luminal dysbiosis and pathobiosis result in compositional and biodiversified alterations in the microbial and host co-metabolites. The primary mechanism of bacterial evolution is horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the acquisition of new traits can be achieved through the exchange of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Introducing genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) might break the harmonized balance in the intestinal compartment. The present objectives are: 1. To reveal the role played by the GEMs’ horizontal gene transfers in changing the landscape of the enteric microbiome eubiosis 2. To expand on the potential detrimental effects of those changes on the human genome and health. A search of articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scielo from 2000 to August 2023 using appropriate MeSH entry terms was performed. The GEMs’ horizontal gene exchanges might induce multiple human diseases. The new GEMs can change the long-term natural evolution of the enteric pro- or eukaryotic cell inhabitants. The worldwide regulatory authority’s safety control of GEMs is not enough to protect public health. Viability, biocontainment, and many other aspects are only partially controlled and harmful consequences for public health should be avoided. It is important to remember that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and <i>primum non nocere</i> should be the focus.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/2/238horizontal gene transfergenetically engineered microorganismsmobile genetic elementsregulationautoimmune diseasesmicrobiome |
| spellingShingle | Aaron Lerner Carina Benzvi Aristo Vojdani The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health Microorganisms horizontal gene transfer genetically engineered microorganisms mobile genetic elements regulation autoimmune diseases microbiome |
| title | The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health |
| title_full | The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health |
| title_fullStr | The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health |
| title_short | The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health |
| title_sort | potential harmful effects of genetically engineered microorganisms gems on the intestinal microbiome and public health |
| topic | horizontal gene transfer genetically engineered microorganisms mobile genetic elements regulation autoimmune diseases microbiome |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/2/238 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aaronlerner thepotentialharmfuleffectsofgeneticallyengineeredmicroorganismsgemsontheintestinalmicrobiomeandpublichealth AT carinabenzvi thepotentialharmfuleffectsofgeneticallyengineeredmicroorganismsgemsontheintestinalmicrobiomeandpublichealth AT aristovojdani thepotentialharmfuleffectsofgeneticallyengineeredmicroorganismsgemsontheintestinalmicrobiomeandpublichealth AT aaronlerner potentialharmfuleffectsofgeneticallyengineeredmicroorganismsgemsontheintestinalmicrobiomeandpublichealth AT carinabenzvi potentialharmfuleffectsofgeneticallyengineeredmicroorganismsgemsontheintestinalmicrobiomeandpublichealth AT aristovojdani potentialharmfuleffectsofgeneticallyengineeredmicroorganismsgemsontheintestinalmicrobiomeandpublichealth |