stress tolerant crops.
Genetically modified plants are produced using recombinant DNA technology.
The general strategy for generating GM plants is to firstly identify the characteristic of interest and then isolate the gene(s) controlling characteristic. Then introduce DNA into plant cells using a suitable vector, and select transformed plant cells in which the new gene(s) are working, allowing transgenic plants to be regenerated and characterised (1).
There are many advantages and disadvantages associated with GM crops, although the public’s initial view of it is a negative one, with many demonstrations having already been carried out.
Firstly I am going to consider the benefits and advantages of GM crops. World population is predicted to reach 8.3 billion by 2025, which would be extra 90-100 mouths to feed (1). If the world’s resources will not stretch to this amount, GM crops will be necessary to feed the world’s population. Alleviation of famine could also be achieved by the use of stress resistant crops, which would be able to withstand harsh environments, for example in Africa.
Each year there is 40-50% crop loss worldwide due to weeds, pests and disease (1). One way to reduce this problem is to use herbicide resistant, insect resistant, and pesticide resistant crops. This would reduce the total amount of harmful pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers that would need to be applied to crops, not only increasing crop yields but also saving time and benefiting the environment by limiting the amount of chemicals applied. The use of GM crops could also decrease soil erosion by 90%, as less ploughing would be necessary.
Modifying the way that a plant grows and develops could also increase yield. If plants can be grown faster, more than one crop can be grown in one season and would reduce the time available for plants to suffer disease and damage. In general GM plants would make farming easier as yields could be increased, and the crops could also be increased in flavour and/or nutritional value.
Although it may appear that there are certain advantages involved with GM crops, we also have to consider their disadvantages. The effect that GM crops will have on the environment is of great concern. It is possible that the breakdown of GM crop tissues could cause change in soil ecology, toxins produced by GM crops to combat pests could build up in herbivores and be transferred along the food chain. Pollinating insects could be damaged, and possibly the biggest concern is that genetically modified crops could ‘escape’ possibly by cross pollination causing GM populations to develop elsewhere.
There are also health issues associated with GM crops. For example some people may have allergic reactions to new components in food, and there is also the possibility that there could be the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from GM food to bacteria. Additionally, if patents were put on the GM seed varieties it would convert them into private property of the GM crop corporations, taking away control from the farmers. These GM seeds may also have to be used in conjunction with their own chemicals, farmers may have to buy new seeds yearly and this may prove a problem for poorer farmers.
In a survey organised by the government last year they found that 90% of people were against GM foods (6), and as a result supermarkets all over Britain have not accepted GM foods, showing just how strong the public’s response has been to this new technology.
The government feels that GM foods do not have any dangers connected with
them, but farm scale evaluation has shown evidence that certain crops had adverse affects on some wildlife. As a result of such events it is the belief of some that commercial companies, and regulatory organisations are playing down the risks in order to make money.
Recently it has become evident that the decision to give approval to the sowing of
GM maize on a commercial scale is imminent (4). This would be the first commercial planting of GM crops in Britain.
Although some may be able to see the possible benefits of using GM crops, I think the large number of disadvantages which it may bring have led me to believe that they could be potentially dangerous. Ultimately, GM crops are changing the pathway of evolution and not allowing natural selection. But my main question is whether GM crops are really necessary, as after all, traditional farming techniques have been around and been largely successful for practically the entire history of the human species.
Bibliography
1. Biological sciences review- Volume 15 No.1 September 2002 ‘genetic
manipulation of plants.’
2. Biological sciences review- Volume 15 No.2 November 2002 ‘growing plants
in the perfect environment.’
3. Internet- http://www.jic.bbsrc.ac.uk/exhibitions/bio-future/perform.htm
4. Evening Standard Thurs 19th February 2004 - ‘Go ahead for GM crops in the
face of massive opposition.’
6. Daily Mail Fri Feb 20 2004. ‘So we’re going to be force fed GM’
7. http://web.ask.com/redir?bpg=http%3a%2f%2fweb.ask.com%2fweb%3fq%3dwhat%2bare%2bthe%2badvantages%2band%2bdisadvantages%2bof%2bGM%2bcrops%253f%26o%3d0%26page%3d1&q=what+are+the+advantages+and+disadvantages+of+GM+crops%3f&u=http%3a%2f%2ftm.wc.ask.com%2fr%3ft%3dan%26s%3da%26uid%3d2c35d220ac35d220a%26sid%3d3c35d220ac35d220a%26qid%3d9E21EFFE585B884B944B10AA1C8DA71E%26io%3d0%26sv%3dza5cb0dc3%26o%3d0%26ask%3dwhat%2bare%2bthe%2badvantages%2band%2bdisadvantages%2bof%2bGM%2bcrops%253f%26uip%3dc35d220a%26en%3dte%26eo%3d-100%26pt%3dAdvantages%2b%2526%2bDisadvantages%2bof%2bGM%2bfood%26ac%3d7%26qs%3d0%26pg%3d1%26ep%3d1%26te_par%3d152%26te_id%3d%26u%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.np.edu.sg%2f%7edept-bio%2frdna%2fweb99%2fsupercatz%2faziz.htm&s=a&bu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.np.edu.sg%2f%7edept-bio%2frdna%2fweb99%2fsupercatz%2faziz.htm&qte=0&o=0
(This really is the website address)
