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Benefits of genetically modified crops
Genetically modified corn benefits and risks
The importance of genetically modified plants
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The world population has topped six billion people and is predicted to double in the next fifty years. Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come (Burghart). Genetically Modified (GM) corn is extremely beneficial to both farmers and consumers. Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms. GM corn can benefit farmers by decreasing costs and increasing crop yields. The new super corn can benefit consumers by producing healthier, more nutritious, and more organic corn. Genetic engineers believe that science breakthroughs, like this one, will solve the worldwide dilemma of starvation and hunger.
Farmers began primitive genetic breeding many years ago by selecting seeds from their best plants, replanting them, and gradually improving the quality of successive generations. (Johnson and Raven 238) Science has come along way since that time. Scientists have developed corn that is resistant to insects. Crops that are resistant to insects and do not need to be sprayed with pesticides, many of which can harm the environment, are safer (Johnson and Raven 238). They are safer because the harmful chemicals used to spray the crops will not be introduced into the environment. Biotechnology seems confusing and complicated on the outside, but is actually quite simple.
Biotechnology allows the transfer of only one or a few desirable genes from one organism to another. This precise science allows plant breeders to develop crops with specific beneficial traits and without undesirable traits (Monsanto Agricultural Biotechnology). The function and structure of DNA from different organisms is essentially the same. It is simply a site that gives instructions and directs cells to make proteins that are the basis of life. Whether the DNA is from a microorganism, a plant, an animal, or human, it is made from the same materials (Monsanto Agricultural Biotechnology).
A researcher's first step is to "cut" or remove a gene segment, representing a desirable trait, from a chain of DNA using enzyme "scissors" to cut an opening into the plasmid, the ring of DNA often found in bacteria outside the cell. The researcher then "pastes" the gene segment into the plasmid. Because the cut ends of both the plasmid and the gene are chemically "sticky" they attach to each other. To complete the process, researchers use another enzyme to paste the new one in place.
A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals. Most of the combinations which are used could not possibly occur in nature on its own. The intention of the process is to create a new beneficial trait such as creating its own pesticide or make it immune to herbicides. This would allow the crop such as Bt co...
« What are the social costs and benefits of the production and the selling of GM food and what are the most effective policies available to solve the problems that arise from these costs? »
Genetic Engineering is deleting or adding different types for DNA that have different characteristics, and then adding them to a embryo to produce a specific organism. Cloning is where you move cells from the original embryo and place them into another one to produce the same organism. Genetech was the first company to first start experimenting with this new science in 1981. Gregor Mendel was the first scientist to discover this new science he called Genetics. At the time this company was valued at $200 million. Research for this t...
Gene cloning works by first isolating the desired gene and ‘cutting’ it from the original chromosome using restriction enzymes. The piece of DNA is ‘pasted’ into a vector and the ends of the DNA are joined to the vector DNA by ligation. The vector is introduced into a host cell, often a bacteria or yeast, by a process called transformation. The host cells copy the vector DNA along with their own DNA, creating multiple copies of the inserted DNA. The vector DNA is separated from the host cells’ DNA and purified.
According to scientists, genetically engineering crops contributes to their quality. Crops that have been genetically modified to have a particular trait can decrease the amount of herbicides needed for growing that crop. Additionally, genetically modified (GM) crops can help third world countries, where malnutrition is common. For example, to help diminish nutrient deficiencies in developing countries, “plans were underway to develop a golden rice that also has increased iron content”(Whitman 2). In addition, GM crops can be modified to be able to “withstand the environmental challenges of drought, disease, and insect infestation” (Swenson 1). Growing GM crops can also result in fruits and vegetables that stay fresh for a prolonged period of time and taste better.
Genetic Engineering is the deliberate alteration of an organism's genetic information (Lee 1). The outcome scientists refer to as successful entitles the living thing’s ability to produce new substances or perform new functions (Lee 1). In the early 1970’s, direct manipulation of the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) became possible and led to the rapid advancement of modern biotechnology (Lee 1).
We live in a world that is constantly changing and advancing thanks to technological advancements, especially in the field of molecular genetics. Today, we are discovering and implementing new ways to overcome the ill-fated symptoms developed as a result from poor health or accidents. We are also making advancements in the field of agriculture thanks to molecular genetics. As we all know, food is an essential entity in our lives and is abundant as well as relatively easy to obtain here in the United States. However, as good as it may sound, this is not necessarily true for developing countries. Many people in developing countries receive very little food, if any, due to its scarcity. It is estimated that in Asia alone, close to 800 million people go to bed hungry every night due to food shortage. This problem can be alleviated by turning to the production of genetically modified organisms (a.k.a. GMOs).
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a cause of continuous debate. What would be the purpose of producing genetically altered food? Many argue that GMOs could prove to be very beneficial, the use of GMOs could lead to advances in medicine, and agriculture, and they could also prevent famine in poor underdeveloped countries. Genetic modification offers many benefits: pest control, disease resistant crops, drought resistant crops, no use of insecticides, nutritional beneficial foods, and less contamination. This is only a short list of the many benefits offered by the used of GMOs. With so many benefits why are we opposed to such a miracle? (NERC 2005)
There are many positive views on the genetic altering of corn. Consumers always look for the shiny, beautiful food with delicious taste. By genetically engineering corn, it can become sweeter and have a better overall appearance. (16) Along with this pleasing appearance, comes its improved resistance for insects, disease, and other pests. This means that new forms of corn now possesses the ability to overcome pests and even weeds that once weakened or killed the young plants. As a result, corn can be grown where there used to be a lot of infestation. (13) In the process, this would also kill insects. Furthermore, corn has more nutritional benefits. Corn now has additional vitamins and minerals because of genetic engineering to provide greater
The restriction enzymes SmaI cuts DNA vertically. This results in two DNA fragments with blunt ends. Next, the gene is spliced into a vect... ... middle of paper ... ... le by stopping illness but this process has also been vandalised for many uses which are not necessary.
It is evident that the majority of American farmers utilize biotech seeds, because of the risks that the insect resistant and herbicide resistant traits help reduce. GMO's make the life of a farmer much easier as they do not have to worry about rushing to spray herbicides, to keep weeds out, or worrying about insects damaging crops and having to spray pesticides. For instance, Brian Scott a farmer in Indiana, when corn root worms starts indulging on his organic crops, the worms will cause a significant damage before he can react accordingly and eliminate the problem with the use of chemicals. These corn root worms won't affect Scott's insect resistant GMO corn because the pesticide is always in the plant. In addition, the GM corn was created only to harm a small group of insects and this allows for other beneficial insects to survive and assist the crops, since Scott did not have to spray pesticides. Farmers use GM crops mainly because of a reliability issue, not only are biotech plants easier to maintain, but they are less likely to cause a devastating loss. To a point where even insurance companies will provide farmers with lower premiums. Troy Rausch, another Indiana farmer, states "... when you're delayed by a couple weeks by rain like we were this year, the GM traits come in awfully handy for weed control". The GM traits are of much benefit to Rausch as they eliminate the need for him to utilize his time and combat against pesky weeds. The use of GMO's in the agricultural space eliminates many risks that would be common in conventionally bred
Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use to benefit the lives of humans or other organisms, in bettering their lives. (Essays, UK. (November 2013). Can Genetic Engineering Be Regarded As Biotechnology Biology?. April 2014, http://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/can-genetic-engineering-be-regarded-as-biotechnology-biology-essay.php?cref=1)
Genetic engineering is a way in which specific genes for an animal or plant can be extracted, and reproduced to form a new animal or plant. These new organisms will express the required trait for that gene. This practice is a very controversial topic within the scientific world. It is being implemented in various areas such as agriculture even though there are many alternatives that can be found for genetic engineered crops, such as organic materials and reducing leeching of the soil. The controversy regarding this practice occurs as it is believed to contribute both negative and positive implications and dangers, not only to oneself but the environment as a whole. Genetic engineering increases the agricultural economy, the yields of agricultural produce, and also causes negative effects on the ecosystem.
Biotechnology is a group of technologies that work together with living cells and their molecules to prolong life (Keener and Hoban et al., 2014). Today biotechnology can be used in a variety of ways such as in an industrial setting where they use it to create enzymes to synthesize chemicals, in an environmental setting where they use it for waste and pollution prevention and lastly it can be used in medical applications such as in pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, DNA fingerprinting and lastly it can be used in stem cell therapy (Keener and Hoban et al., 2014). Everyone in today’s society depends on and uses biotechnology in one form or another, biotechnology is essential for our health and wellbeing. Vaccines are also manufactured using biotechnology which consist of three main ways, it aids scientists to separate pure antigen using specific monoclonal antibody, aids in synthesis of an antigen with the help of a cloned gene and lastly it also aids in the synthesis of peptides to be used as vaccines (Alam 2014). A vaccine can protect you from specific diseases that can make you sick or even kill you.
Biotechnology helps in protecting the environment,It provides crops with protection from viruses and insects by reducing the number of pesticid...