What are transgenic organisms? How are they made? Are they safe? Are they a good source of food? These are all questions that are asked about transgenic organisms. Through this paper we will discuss these questions and give viable answers. We will look in detail into the role these organisms play in today’s society. Transgenic organisms are organisms that have been genetically modified through the insertion of DNA from one organism into the genome of another organism (WiseGeek, 2011). In our case the organisms are agricultural plants that are being modified to produce a desired phenotype. When these plants are fully developed they will exhibit the desired traits that were inserted to improve the plant. When these organisms reproduce they pass on the traits, that were inserted into them, on to the new plants as if they were always their own. In the United States, genetically modified crops include canola, chicory, corn, papaya, potato, rice, soy, squash, sugar beet, golden rice, tomato, and many more. Out of these transgenic crops, corn, papaya, and soy are the three most distributed transgenic crops in the United States (Dubey, 2010). Internationally, the four principle genetically altered crops are corn, cotton, canola, and soybeans (Nguthi, 2011). There are many benefits of growing transgenic crops; they can be made stronger, more nutritious and are also easily cared for. Transgenic crops are also pest resistant, herbicide tolerant, disease resistant, tolerant to the colder weather, drought tolerant, more nutritional, have pharmaceutical benefits, and are able to under go phytoremediation. Genetically modified crops can increase the nutrition of the public, while increasing the profits of farme... ... middle of paper ... ...m Soderlund, C., Collura, K., Wissotski, M., Ashley, E., Morrow, D., Fernandes, J., Walbot, V., Yu, Y., Descour, A., Kudrna, D., Bomhoff, M., Boyd, L., Currie, J., Angelova, A. (2009, December 10). What Are the PROS & CONS of Transgenic Crops. The Maize Full Lenght cDNA Project. Retrieved October 21, 2011, from http://www.maizecdna.org/outreach/e1.html WebMD (2003). Are Biotech Foods Safe to Eat?.WebMD. Retrieved October 23, 2011, from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/are-biotech-foods-safe-to-eat Whitman, D. B. (2000, April). Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?. ProQuest. Retrieved October 24, 2011, from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php WiseGEEK: (2011). What are transgenic Organisms?” Clear Answers for Common Questions. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-transgenic-organisms.htm
Pamela Ronald, a plant geneticist, presented a Ted Talk “The case for engineering our food”, Ronald points out that engineered genetics for our plants is not harmful, yet better for our environment and health. “Now, genetic modification is not new; virtually everything we eat has been genetically modified in some manner”(Ronald).
Genetically modified organisms, also referred to as "transgenic" or "genetically engineered" organisms (Emerson 1), are organisms created by "inserting a gene from an unrelated source" (Maghari 1). These eternal sources include, viruses, bacteria, plants, and animals (Maghari). GMOs can be found not only in produce, but in processed foods as well. The top two GMOs produced in the United States are corn and soy; GMO corn production accounts for approximately 80% of the total production, while GMO soy production accounts for approximately 90% of the total production ("Recent"). Beyond corn and soy, many other fruits and vegetables, along with countless additives, are considered GMO as well.
Should you worry about GMOs? (2013). Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, 31(9), 4-5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1458270646?accountid=39340
The crops have one or more genes coding which have desired traits for insertion. The genes come from the similar or additional plants species or also from unrelated organisms. These are traits that are targeted through the genetic engineering are frequently the same as which are followed by the conventional breeding.
Phillips, Theresa, Ph.D. "Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 2008. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. .
Phillips, Ph.D., Theresa. “GMOs: Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology.” Scitable. Web. 14 April 2014.
The term GM foods or GMO (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques (Whitman, 2000). These plants have been modified in the laboratory to offer desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Also, genetic engineering techniques have been applied to create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and accurately. For example, this is done by the geneticist isolating the gene responsible for drought tolerance and inserts it into another plant. The new genetically-modified plant will now have gained drought tolerance as well.
GM crops also benefit the economy and assist in feeding more people. While we struggle with feeding our population, “The population will continue to grow” (Calandrelli 1) For instance, genetic engineering in agriculture can minimize the cost of producing food. Thus, GMO’s in crops can result ...
Genetically Modified Organism was introduced to the public approximately fourteen years ago. Genetically Modified Organism was brought about through Plant Biotechnology, which has been researched for centuries. Farmers’ crops are everything to their business, and wanting to preserve their product is top significance. A solution to the numerous possibilities of hindrance genetically modified organism was spawned. Traditional breeding included different processes, such as sowing seeds from the resilient plants in order to produce a new generation. Farmers would grow plants with higher yield and resistance to pests, naturally alternating the genetic makeup of plants. Consequently, a vast majority of plants today bare resemblances of their lineage (Biotechnology Industry Organization 2010). Plant biotechnology allows breeders to sel...
GMOs are a matter of debate as they also pose risks to human health as well as possible harm to the environment. In this paper my goal will be to get the reader to weigh the cons and the professionals and to decide if GMOs should be used or not, analyzing the effects of GMOs or transgenics on humans and the environment. My opinion admits its use, but much better regulated. Let's go in parts, starting with some history, then looking at what transgenics are and their impact on humans and the environment, and finally the
Other than plants, another application of LMO in agriculture is on the animals. Transgenic animals help to increase food production and quality in order to improve human lifestyle. As the growth population is increasing, so does the food demand, transgenic animals can produce more food to keep up with the growth in human population in the next 50 years and also the following years. Since the animals are able to grow faster, the food production will increase and the price of the meat will become cheaper. In the past few years, transgenic animals such as cattle, sheep, goat and pigs were made to increase food production and benefit human in various way. According to Margawati (2003), the main focuses of transgenic animal in agricultural applications are breeding, quality and disease resistance.
The organism’s genes that are altered through recombinant DNA is a genetically modified organism or also known as a GMO. The recombination of genes can be accomplished by switching genes from one organism to another or just by rearranging the genes in one organism. Scientists genetically engineer plants and organisms because it allows them to enhance a desired trait that is not in the gene pool. It also allows plants to breed faster. The transferring of genes from plant to plant or organism to organism can be compared to a cut-and-paste process. A desired gene in an organism 's genome, which is a full set of chromosomes, can be cut out, transferred to the preferred organism, and injected into the organism 's genome. A desired gene is the gene scientists want to be transferred into a certain genome to enhance it. There are three main ways organisms can be genetically engineered. The biolistic method involves using a “gene gun.” A “gene gun”, or microinjection, can be used to transfer genes from one genome to another genome. Scientists cut out the preferred gene and then insert the gene into a vector. Any gene that carries a virus can be a vector. A
Although genetically modified crops offered a wide range of benefits but it also poses some very serious threats. Hence, the use of this technology should be discouraged and alternative methods should be discovered.
New forms of technology emerge all around the world every day. Gene transfer technology, known as transgenics, is a biological form of technology and a rapidly advancing one. Transgenics consists of new forms of biological research studies. By definition transgenic means "of, relating to, denoting an organism that contains genetic material into which DNA from an unrelated organism has been artificially introduced" (Oxford English Dictionary). In simpler terms, transgenics can alter an organism’s biological (genetic) makeup. The real argument behind transgenics is, what effect does it have on societies culture and how can it affect the peoples future? To be specific, this new technology can help create a new species, cure diseases (cancer), and help grow new organs and other biological alterations.
What are the uses of transgenic plants and why are there such large social, legal and ethical issues raised surrounding the topic? In order to understand this question, one must ask themselves what a transgenic plant is. By definition, a transgenic plant are plants that contain foreign DNA that has been incorporated into its genome. (Giuseppe, 2003, p. 306) Plants which contain transgenes, which is the gene sequence inserted in the plant, are often called genetically modified (GM) crops. For example, scientists have discovered a concept of genetically modifying corn so that it discharges a powerful poison that will kill insects which are harmful to the growth of a crop. In order for the scientists to achieve this, they had to genetically modify