James Burgess
May 19, 2015
Pre-Med A
Assignment 3
Benefit and Detriment of Genetic Modification
With an ever-expanding world population there is growing pressure on farmers to
increase the productivity of their fields. While there are many cutting-edge ways in which
farmers can optimize efficiency, many emerging technologies require farmers to purchase
expensive equipment. The high initial cost of these new technologies prevents access by many
small, independent farmers. Genetically modified seeds are an excellent option for these small
farms, as they increase yields and can be cultivated utilizing farmers’ existing equipment.
Genetically modified seeds are not without controversy, however; there are many groups who
oppose their use. Genetic modification of organisms is a polarizing issue, there are arguments
made in the scientific community both for and against the use of genetically modified crops, and
there are few people who don’t hold an opinion on their use. This essay explores the benefits and
disadvantages of genetic modification of seeds, without bias, in an attempt to allow the reader to
develop an informed opinion as to whether or not the use of genetically modified crops is
beneficial or detrimental.
To best understand genetically modified seeds, some comprehension of what genetic
modification is and how it is accomplished is necessary. In short, genetic modification is a
purposeful change in an organism’s DNA made to bring about the expression of specific
characteristics in that organism, or a change made in DNA to halt the expression of an
undesirable trait in an organism. In genetically modified seeds desired characteristics are
typically; resistance to certain herbicides and pesticides; tolerance to adverse weather conditions
such as drought; more robust fruits and vegetables; and potentially any trait that could be viewed
as beneficial. Undesirable traits could include susceptibility to diseases; fragility of a plant
species; or any trait characteristic that might make a crop more difficult to grow. Changing some
of these characteristics is not without potential unforeseen drawbacks, and that will be explored
in more detail later in this paper. (Bringing)
There is an historical context for genetic modification. The selection of desirable traits in
plants has been occurring since the advent of agriculture. Traditionally, the seeds from the largest
or most productive plants were the only ones used in planting the next season. Over the course of
decades, or even centuries, the changes brought about by this selective breeding became
dramatic. If a person were to see modern corn compared to corn grown in America a few
hundred years ago, they might be shocked to discover that they are more or less the same plant.
Ancestral corn more closely resembled modern wheat, with short, sparse, grassy seedpods. Every
year farmers replanted seeds from more productive plants until after hundreds of years
something closer to what is found in supermarkets today could be found in cornfields across the
globe. (AgBioSafety)
Farmers came a step closer to modern genetic modification with the discovery of
hybridization. Gregor Mendel, in the late 1800’s, experimented with pea plants and determined
that the plants’ offspring exhibited traits passed on in specific heritable patterns. His discovery
paved the way for farmers to hasten the process of selective breeding by being able to
knowledgeably select traits from plants that they had known to be heritable as long as the plants
could successfully reproduce sexually. While being quicker than the previous methods of
selective breeding, hybridization was still a time consuming process that could take years to
perfect. (Basic)
The genomic revolution of the mid-to-late 1900’s, specifically the discovery and further
understanding of chromosomes, genes, and DNA, allowed scientists to bypass the hurdle of
sexual viability to alter the genetic make-up of plants. Scientists can now isolate specific genes
that express characteristics, both desired and undesired, in labs. Utilizing modern techniques
bioengineers can add, delete, or alter the expression of these genes in order for plants to
demonstrate traits that previously might have taken decades or even centuries to reproduce using
traditional methods. The rapid changes that are produced through this type of genetic
modification is one of the causes for worry among those opposed to the use of genetically
modified seeds.
Some opponents to the production of genetically modified crops argue that these
organisms represent the introduction of an unknown element to the environment and consumers.
The lack of long-term testing of them, in their eyes, should cause manufacturers to be cautious in
GMO’s widespread use. The fear among this opposition to GMO’s is that the sudden
introduction of a man-made organism could cause potential damage from exposure to them. This
fear is difficult for those that argue in favor to genetic modification to refute as the process is
relatively new. A specific concern among the opponents comes in the example of the so called,
“Arctic Apple”. This genetic cross between a granny smith and golden delicious apples has been
altered so that the fruit doesn’t turn brown when cut. GMO opponents call for extensive testing
before the apple becomes available for purchase, citing that the RNA (which is used to control
how genes are expressed) in the plant could possibly be passed on to humans when they eat them
and potentially cause harmful changes to the transcription and expression of a person’s genes.
Since genetic modification is so new, governments are seen as lagging behind the science when
it comes to necessary regulation and testing. Currently the Food and Drug Administration only
requires voluntary testing for many emerging genetically modified foods. (USDA)
Another concern among opponents to genetic modification of plants is in the potential
unintended side effects and impact that may arise in introducing the crops to the environment.
Roundup ready and Bt corn are two common genetically modified crops grown in the United
States, and extensive controversy surrounds their use. Concerns have been raised by many nongovernment organizations about the environmental impact of these plants. The Union of
Concerned Scientists has argued that the introduction of these plants reduces the effectiveness of
the herbicides and pesticides that they are used with, resulting in the need to use more poisons
than what was necessary before the introduction of the crops. Further, they posit that the pests
that these herbicides and pesticides are designed to eliminate eventually develop resistances that
make them immune to the poisons. Their new immunities create “super” bugs and weeds that
then require even more toxic chemicals to eradicate. The result is a cycle of escalation resulting
in increased ground and water pollution from the runoff of these chemicals, as well as trace
amounts of the poisons remaining in the plants when they are consumed, potentially harming
people. Finally, concerns have been raised by the UCS that seed contamination has occurred in
non-GMO crops grown by farmers in fields nearby farms where GMO crops are in use. DNA
from the GMO crops has been discovered in the non-GMO fields. Current research shows that
contamination is minimal, however the potential that the GMO material cannot be contained is
worrisome to those who would prefer not to have genetically modified foods. (Roundup)
The potential adverse effects of genetic modification cannot be overlooked, however,
there are numerous benefits as well. Yields of genetically modified crops have been increased
significantly. A German study has shown that production has been increased in genetically
modified fields while pesticide use has been decreased, this has lead to a major increase in
profitability for farmers planting GM crops. Another example of a major breakthrough in GM
crops is in the golden rice project. Historically rice is an easy crop to grow in abundance,
however there is reduced nutritional content. In economically depressed areas where rice is a
staple crop, there is often a still problem with malnourishment. In many of these areas blindness
due to this malnourishment is a major problem. The golden rice project has genetically
engineered rice with an increased nutritional profile. The added beta-carotene content of the GM
rice has lead to measurable reduction in blindness in populations previously affected by
malnourishment. The potential for genetic modification to increase nutritional content of staple
foods could potentially end suffering in third world nations afflicted with absolute poverty.
(GMO) (Golden)
There are obvious benefits to the genetic modification of seeds for use in planting,
however there are also many potential detrimental effects to their production and use as well.
Genetic modification is a dividing issue, and there are many strong opinions as to the safety
involved. Whether the potential for genetic modification to help outweighs the potential for harm
is something that should be decided based on factual, unbiased, evidence. It is not the aim of this
essay to make a statement as to whether GMO’s are good or bad, but to provide information to
allow its reader to make a more informed decision.
Bibliography
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