Genetically Engineered Organisms

When crops or plant are genetically modified by removing undesired gene on inserts desirable genes, the resulting germplasm is anticipated to allow plant breeders to respond more qui... ... middle of paper ... ...ger, J.,E. (2000). Releasing genetically modified organisms: will any harm outweigh any advantage. Journal of Applied Ecology. 37(2), 207-214.

There now are several crops such as corn, soybeans, and cotton that have a Bacillus Thuringiensis’ gene. Genetically modified foods also have two major traits: pesticide production and herbicide resistance. Pesticide production keeps farmers and environmentalists from having to worry about the agonizing pain of lost crops and a financial dwelling. This is because pesticides are used on m... ... middle of paper ... ...J.T.. 2003. Public Perceptions of Genetically Modified Foods: A National Study of American Knowledge and Opinion.

Genetically Modified Crops Genetically modified crops (GM crops) climb to the top on the hotly debated issues list of society. In 1996, no GM crops were cultivated on a commercial scale in the United States. In 2002, 75% of soya, 71% of cotton, and 34% of all maize grown in America is GM ("Grim Reaper" 1). Many issues surround this controversial topic such as safety, ethics, and foreign relations. Many of these concerns are well stressed in mass media, but sometimes biased views are the only ones presented.

The proponents present the input trait invention, which seeks to cultivate bioengineered elements into the crops with an aim of substantially reducing the incorporation of environmentally dangerous pesticides. They also present the output trait invention, which seeks to bioengineer attributes into the seeds with an aim of bolstering nutrition, shelf life and quality. In this regard, most scientists maintain that GMOs become mini factories in future, and would address malnutrition within the developing nations (Leggie and Durant 59). There is also the agronomic trait invention, which seeks to ... ... middle of paper ... ...mers Trust for Information: The Case of Genetically Modified Food?” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 86.5(2004): 1222-1229 Isaac, Grant, and Phillips Peter. “Market Access and Market Acceptance for Genetically Modified Products.” Proceedings of NE-165 Conference, Washington D. C.: London School of Economics, 2000.

Introduction. Genetic engineering or genetic modification of corn refers to using molecular techniques or other similar techniques of biotechnology to add slight quantities of chromosomal material to the atomic structure and composition of corn, to protect it against infestation by pests, harm caused by herbicides or to increase its quality 4. In general, genetically modified corn is wired to resist herbicides and to produce its own insecticide. The trait in corn which tolerates herbicides is produced using tissue culture selection and a chemical called mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate 1. The trait in genetically modified corn that produces insecticide has a certain protein that is poisonous to some insect pests called Bt Toxin, hence the reason why genetically modified corn is also called Bt corn 3.

(2000). Predictions of biodiversity response to genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops. Science 289, 1554-1557. Isserman, A.M. et al. (2001).

INTRODUCTION Genetic engineering (GE) or genetic modification (GM) are both terms used to describe methods “ to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics”. Genetic technologies in crops involve the use of GE to change the make-up of certain plants in order to improve their quality or quantity. This essay will critique the following inference that: For centuries human beings have used conventional techniques of selective breeding and cross-breeding of animals and plants to add desired characteristics and reduce or eliminate unwanted ones. New genetic technologies should be welcomed as providing more efficient, effective and controlled mechanisms for improving the quality and quantity of food which can be produced from limited resources of land. ARGUMENT FOR THE STATEMENT.

The next step involves E.coli bacteria. Gaps are created in the E.coli DNA and when the soil bacteria and E.coli are introduced to one another some of the E.coli DNA recombines with the Roundup® resistant bacteria. Then, the bio technician smuggles the engineered DNA into the cells of the corn plant they want to modify. Cells will naturally reject foreign DNA so th... ... middle of paper ... ... Problems With GMOs.

One way that genetically modified foods are hurting our environment is that process can involve the exchange of genes between two totally different species. People are actually putting scorpion toxin into corn and fish antifreeze into tomatoes (De Greef). These changes in the plants make the plant able to with stand the attack of pests and weather, but it is still possible that the plant’s DNA will cross and make bad toxins. If a farmer plants a crop that has the resistance to herbicides, drought, cold, and pests those plants can eventually cross with weeds and then the farmer will end up with weeds that are resistant to everything too. Then the scientists will end up having to make the plants stronger to fight off the weeds, then the weeds will get stronger, and the cycle will keep on going.

Genetically Modified Crops For years farmers have fought pest, weeds, and diseases to grow crops. There have been many pesticides and herbicides used to help with these problems, only to find out later that they are damaging our environment and a health hazard to animals and humans. They are constantly searching for new ways to improve farming. Genetically engineered crops began in 1996 (Charmin 74-83). Genetically engineered crops appear to have minimal effects on the environment and humans, they produce larger yields of crops, and they could be the answer to world hunger.