How Plants Are Genetically Modified:
In the process of , genes from a different species are inserted, which is a form of . In nature this can occur when penetrates the for any reason. To do this artificially may require transferring genes as part of an attenuated virus genome or physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host using a microsyringe, or as a coating on gold nanoparticles fired from a (1). However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of to transfer genetic material to plants, and the ability of to transfer genes to animal cells. In order for an organism to become genetically modified successfully, the method should involve the insertion or deletion of genes. Organisms that could be conventionally bred usually only allow the artificial transfer of genes. The genes that are inserted can come from species between kingdoms, bacteria to plant or in the same kingdom, plant to plant. The inserted DNA then has to be genetically altered or modified slightly to efficiently and correctly express inside the host organism (7). A form of horizontal gene transfer is during the process of transgenesis when the genes from a different species are inserted, which can also naturally occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for some reason.
Impact of Genetically Modified Foods On The Environment
Unintended Harm on Organisms:
One of the main negative effects of genetic modifications on plants is the unintended harm on the surrounding environment and organisms. Based on scientific studies, high mortality rates occurred in Monarch butterfly caterpillars due to the pollen from genetically modified corn. The wind blew the pollen onto the milkweed plants in neighboring fields, which were the homes for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. This caused these organisms to suffer and die, because of the consummation of some pollen from the genetically modified corn (1). In conclusion, genetically modified toxins can kill many species of insect larvae indiscriminately but it is not possible that scientists can develop of genetically modified toxin that only kills pests that damage crops, while remaining harmless to all other insects.
Less Insecticide Used:
A positive feature about using genetically modified foods is that the use of insecticide is much more minimal than the use of it on organic foods. In the past to protect and prevent harmful insects, large amounts of insecticide were sprayed over the crops. This was because biotechnology was not properly developed (7). The amount of insecticide greatly affected the surrounding environment negatively, since the insecticide would seep into the soil and underground into clean water. Genetic engineering has switched places with insecticides, creating a solution to this problem since insecticides will no longer be needed.
Plants Able To Grow In Different Environments:
Furthermore, plants can now grow in environments that they usually could not, due to genetic modifications in plants. In the past, plants would depend on having a certain type of soil or climate in the surrounding environment to be able to grow, and could not be able so if viruses, fungi, or bacteria were present. Due to genetic modifications, the plants are now able to grow and thrive in a variety of environments. Even viruses, fungi and bacteria, which are known to be able to cause plant diseases, can prevent a plant from growing in a certain environment (1). Genetic modifications have however made possible for plants to grow and thrive in these types of environments. Plant biologists have been working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to diseases to make them stable in an environment, and an antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato. With this antifreeze gene, these plants are able to tolerate cold temperatures.
Transfer of Genes to Non-Target Species
“Another effect is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance genes from the crops into the weeds. These "super weeds" would then be herbicide tolerant as well. Other introduced genes may cross over into non-modified crops planted next to GM crops” (4 Whitman, Deborah). This article talks about how genes are exchanged between plants via pollen. Two different ways can be used to make sure that non-target species will not receive the unintended introduced genes from genetically modified plants. Those are creating genetically modified plants that are male sterile and do not produce any pollen or modifying the genetically modified plants, making the pollen not contain the introduced gene. Creating buffer zones around fields of genetically modified crops are also another possible solution (4).
Impact of Genetically Modified Foods on the Economy:
Since creating and bringing genetically modified foods to the market are a very lengthy and costly process, there are many impacts of these products on the economy. Firstly, the biotech companies would like to ensure a profitable return on their investment in the future (5). The researching and testing of genetically modified foods are also quite expensive, since these experiments have to be conducted on a regular and permanent base in order to have zero side effects when the product is consumed. Furthermore, the crops need to use buffer zones since they must be kept away from the pollinating weeds and other plants. Insecticide firms and businesses are also affected because genetically modified foods and farmers do not need insecticides to grow crops.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the recent production and project of genetically modified foods tend to be a very controversial topic around the world. The controversial aspects positively and negatively affect societies, where most people believe that the consumption of genetically modified foods is harmful to the body. One of the main problems of this product are the allergies that can accidentally be spread across foods (1). For example in a research article by Deborah B. Whitman, it explains how genetically modified foods can carry life-threatening allergies and gives the two cases of soybeans and peanuts. “Many people in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions” (4). In many cases, people explain that they have never eaten genetically modified foods, where in fact these products are usually in the ingredients of regular foods such as cereal. As a result of finding out, people tend to be unhappy because they feel that not enough testing has been done on genetically modified crops. In reality, most people are misinformed about this new type of scientific development and are not ready to listen to the logical idea of genetically modified foods.
Bibliography:
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