Genetic transformation, to produce transgenic plants, goes to the stable integration of a foreign gene into the gnome of a plant regenerated from cells or cells stripped of their cell walls by enzymes. The transformations should be inheritable, and seed growth from transgenic plants should produce plants that also express the foreign gene. Genes are multiplied or clone, and then transferred into plants within vehicles called vectors, usually derived from the small circular DNA structures in bacteria called plasmids. In agriculture, molecular techniques have been employed successfully to discover and unravel metabolic processes and interactions between organisms. The use of biotechnology has been associated with these methods.
Why are Scientists trying to develop different genetically modified organisms and foods?
The potential of genetic engineering to modify crops is enormous. The first genetically engineered vegetables to reach the market were tomatoes. The development of biotechnology has had great affect on the development of genetically modified foods and organisms. Whether biotechnology will result in accelerated ecosystem destruction and loss of biodiversity will most likely be determined by market forces.
What advantages are there to genetically modified organisms and foods? Give examples.
There are numerous advantages to the genetic modification of organisms and foods. These include herbicide tolerant crops, disease resistance, transgenic animals and biodiversity. The production of herbicide tolerant crops relies on the introduction of genes involved in the detoxification of herbicides. Alternatively, the gene controlling the activity of the herbicide receptor can be modified so that the plant becomes less sensitive to the herbicide. Its advantages are: quantities of herbicide application can be reduced; diverse herbicides can be replaced by broad spectrum ones; weeds can be controlled by post emergence; and new non-persistent herbicides can be used.
Disease resistant - Infection by viruses, bacteria and fungi is responsible for huge reductions in pre-harvest crop yields worldwide. The development of pathogen resistant crop varieties will not only increase yields significantly but will also offer major environmental benefits through the reduction of chemical inputs.
Transgenic animals – Among the main development of the commercial development of transgenic animals is the improvement of the nutritional quality of food animals, increased productivity of dairy products and in the case of aquaculture, increased total weight of marine species.
Biodiversity - The potential of biotechnology to reduce chemical inputs and free agricultural land through productivity enhancement will definitely result in major environmental benefits. However whether biotechnology will result in accelerated environment destruction and the loss of biodiveristy will most likely be determined by market forces.
What are some of the arguments against genetically modifying organisms and foods?
On their release into the environment, transgenic organisms can present a number of potential ecological risks. These organisms present particular challenges because of their rapid reproductive rate, their willingness to exchange genetic material and the difficulty of detecting them in the environment. The major ecological concerns are: may gain in vigor and become weeds of agricultural or natural habitats and that the genes may be transferred from time to wild relatives who hybrid offspring become detrimental in some way to the existing flora or fauna. Modified foods are unlikely to present direct harm to human health. However the unique nature of these foods, in that the genes are transferred between species during their production, and the possible unpredictable outcome of the transgene effects, warrant that these foods are carefully monitored. The two areas of concern are the possibility of allergic reactions and the possibility of bacteria living inside the human body system. The application of genetic engineering to food production has raised a number of ethical and moral concerns. Three ,main issues are evident: ethical concerns about the transfer of particular genes, whether genetic modification increases the suffering of animals and whether life can morally be owned.
As a consumer, what are your opinions on the issues?
I believe that genetic modified foods should be available on the condition that they are clearly identified as modified and we not hidden from the truth. However in terms of development scientists cannot stop the mutation of plants and tested organisms, hence the control in testing and development is rather limited. The reality is that GM produce have a unnatural image and there's no market advantage with GM produce. Also, GM can not be classed as organic. Finally the huge profits mega companies through their testing is clearly evident. For example, I am a bit concerned that an ulterior motive of companies such as Monsanto is to undermine organic farming. The popularity of organic products seems to be growing, and as more and more farmers change to these methods it will effect the sales of pesticides and herbicides. Another big money spinner for Monsanto and other companies do follow suit.
How has considering arguments for and against helped shape your view?
Through comparing the pros and cons of the issue I have taken both perspectives and have gained new information on both sides. This has made more knowledgeable on the issue and I have been put into a better position in terms of knowledge to make a logical and educated opinion. Had I not had tasted both sides of this very complex and diverse issue my view would have been rather simplistic and very one sided.
