Genetic technology in agriculture, such as genetically modified organisms (GMO foods), is the process of manipulating an organisms' genetic material in which it'll produce organisms that have pest resistance or drought resistance. Also, artificial selection is the process of breeding plants and animals to produce desirable traits. Organisms with artificial selection such as size or taste, are cross pollinated with organisms with those specific desired traits. Remember that cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ(anther) of one plant to the female reproductive organ(stigma) of another plant. Agricultural plants are the most common examples of genetically modified organisms.
Benefits
- Increased production
- Drought tolerance
- Efficient use of fertilizers
- Ability to produces drugs or other useful chemicals
- Pesticide use decreases
- Reduced costs for food production
- Greater food security
- Medical benefits for growing world population
- Crops mature faster
- Allows crops to grow in conditions it wouldn't normally flourish
Risks
- May spread undesirable traits to weeds and non-genetically engineered crops (GE crops)
- Produces new allergens and toxins
- Lower resistance to antibiotics
- DNA transfer from GMO's to humans and environment
- Birth defects due to glyphosate
- Glyphosate is an active ingredient in herbicide and is responsible for causing birth defects, infertility, sperm destruction, and cancer.
- Can harm animals that consume them
- Overuse of herbicide-tolerant GE crops
- Herbicide is a substance that is toxic to plants and is used to destroy unwanted vegetation.
Genetic technology for human health refers to the transfer of genetic material that is intended to modify human traits that are not caused by diseases. Another example of making someone better by optimizing all of the capabilities and raising the performance levels. Even in the simple phenotypes, the structure of humans and other complex organisms does not allow controlled genetic modification to occur.
Benefits
1.Disease reduction
2.Extended life spans
3.Better medicinal drugs
4.Increased intelligence
Risks
1. Social equality; unfair advantages, enhanced individuals
2. No certainty that there will be greater biological fitness
3. Safety hazard, not 100%
Sources!
Benefits
1.Disease reduction
2.Extended life spans
3.Better medicinal drugs
4.Increased intelligence
Risks
1. Social equality; unfair advantages, enhanced individuals
2. No certainty that there will be greater biological fitness
3. Safety hazard, not 100%
Sources!
- Genetic Enhancement
- Genetically Modified Plants
- Human Genetic Engineering
- Genetically Modified crops
- Genetically Modified Organisms
- Pros and Cons: GMO's
- 7 ways GMO's affect your health
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