Genetic modification

To perform the process of genetic modification you have to be very skilled and a lot of things can go wrong. As genetic modification is a relatively new science, there are a lot of risks surrounding this area such as pests or certain organisms growing resistant to the modified pesticide or poison from constantly eating pesticide-forming plants. Another risk from genetically modifying an organism is that it may be possible for us humans to contract allergies and diseases from these experiments. However, scientists believe that although there is a risk of us humans receiving possibly dire diseases, genetic modification can enable them to find treatment or even a cure for these diseases. No one is completely sure of the long term effects of genetic modification and there are many concerns about it. An additional risk people think Genetic modification has on humans is that eating genetically modified foods may cause harm or effect human health. There is also a worry that the genetically modified organism’s genes may spread out into the wildlife of normal animals and plants and cause them to breed this new gene passing it down from generation to generation. Farmers suffer the costs from the genetically modified plants as they are often not fertile so the farmers need to buy a new seed each year, putting strain on their profits. There is also the excellent idea of people wanting to manipulate the genes of their future children to make sure they are born healthy. However, people may be thinking that they can have ‘designer babies’ and make their child smart, good-looking or good at sport.

 Scientists believe that although there are many potential costs and risks, the potential benefits out weigh them by far. A big advantage of genetic modification is that we are able to make new drugs and new treatments for disease-ridden humans. We can also modify our foods so that they are more nutritious and beneficial energy-wise for us to eat. An example of helpful genetic modification is that diabetic people who cannot create insulin of their own can be given insulin through the genetic modification of a bacterium that will be given the human gene containing the information and instructions to make insulin. We can improve the growth rate of plants and animals which can improve the food value of crops and the fat levels in animals. Genetically modified foods last longer and can be design to grow well in dry, hot or cold parts of the world, meaning it can help solve the problems of world hunger.