Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically Modified Organisms

Introduction

Today, it is difficult to find a person who has never heard the word "genetically modified organisms" and "transgenic." Of the scientific papers and engineering projects, the transgenic organisms have migrated into cartoons and jokes. However to this day, few people know what the fundamental and technical issues need to decide to create them, and what new challenges they create. One of the main applications of genetic engineering currently involves the adding of new genes to plants to improve crops.

The use of genetic engineering or plant breeding transgenesis is what is called biotechnology or plant biotechnology. Its objectives are to increase crop productivity contributing to sustainable agriculture, which uses the resources respecting the environment and future generations in mind. It also aims to improve agricultural biotechnology foods derived from plant crops, eliminating toxic or allergenic substances, modifying the ratio of its components to achieve healthier foods and increasing their nutritional content (Freese, 2004). Another application of plant biotechnology is the use of plants as bioreactors or factories for the production of drugs, antibodies, vaccines, biopolymers and biofuels.

Discussion

Genetically Modified Organisms

Every species of living beings is a unique set of genes. They record all their innate traits of the carrier body: leaf shape or color of feathers, the number of tentacles or the size of berries. They are written as a sequence of certain molecules: nucleotides, which play the role of letters. The genetic code is the same for all living beings without exception. Genes of different species are like the two different texts written in the same language, knowing neither dialects nor even different fonts. If the gene somehow gets inside another cell, its staff confidently says to him as never before-seen protein. As soon as it turns out, the scientists are tempted to play the genetic designer: take a gene from one organism and transfer to another. Objects of this size cannot be seen under any microscope because their size is much smaller than the wavelength of light. However, it is necessary not only to identify a particular gene in a cell, but also carefully cut it; move into another cell is inserting in one of its chromosomes.

GMO hurting the future of plants and animals

Many people argue that GMOs are safe for human, plants and animal health. Most genetically modified animals are already unsustainable. Others develop new characteristics and not expected. One of the examples of the example is a freshwater fish, the GM Tilapia that grows twice as fast, can live in salt water. The impact on the environment (genetic contamination) and the potential risks to health (still poorly understood due to the lack of studies on the subject) are too serious to be left to appropriate seed industries or environment. One of the arguments for biotechnology companies that accept their GM seeds is that with these varieties, reducing the impacts of chemical inputs to control pests and weeds. In the case of herbicide tolerant plants, in contrast, this impact is increased (Freese, Schubert, ...