Frank Hopkins Eng 6

Genetically Modified Plants and Animals

Shawn Pongratz

Catherine Cousar

Research and Writing

August 5, 2017

Abstract

Genetically modified plants, and animals is affecting the environment, and is creating an

argument regarding the use of (GMO). An organization known as the World Health Organization

has defined the use of an organism’s DNA as being unnatural. Plants that are GM to resist

insects, and viruses can create potential problems to the environment. Another major concern is

toxicity, because of the chemicals in pesticides, and herbicides. Which is causing plants to

inherent a toxicity. GMOs are, also affecting insects such as bees, and butterflies, which is

affecting the crops from being pollinated. Birds are, also an important part of pollination,

and are being affected from the use of pesticides.

History of Genetically modified plants and animals

Currently scientists engineered bacteria that can produce, “Medication-grade

drugs”, crops that already have pesticides built-in, and beagles that are able to glow in

the dark. The use of GMOs has been around over 30,000 years, which is done, by humans

altering an organism’s DNA. There have been some major critical problems on how GMOs

have lead to a path that is unimaginable, and raised some major questions in the same process.

GMOs have created a a lot of attention in recent years, and the google search of GMO has

tripled since 2012. From Corgis to Corn, Gabriel Maurer. (2015).

Are ancestors didn’t have concept of how genetics can influence an organism’s DNA,

which is a processed known as “select breeding” or “artificial selection”, (Charles Darwin).

This is a process that involves choosing an organism with a certain trait, by mating them with

the intention to propagate traits through their offspring. Repeating this practice has been

done in many generations, which is the result of major changes in the genetics of a species.

GMO is the precursor of the modern processes that are influencing the genetics of are species.

The first major problem with genetically modified plants and animals?

The first major problem with an organism’s genetics being modified is very complex,

because of allowing the transformation from any species, plant, and organism. When

introducing a different gene to different cells can create different outcomes. Another problem is a

gene can have several traits in a single organism, which can impact the genome, causing

unwanted side effects. GMOs can, also create contamination and / or interbreeding, which

happens when a GMO is interbred with a relative that is sexually compatible. This could, also

effect a species ecological behaviors.

Making changes to a single species could even extend past the ecosystem, which could

cause major damage, and destruction to the ecosystem. Once a GMO is brought out to the

environment it can cause some major issues, because of not being able to eliminate the use of

GMOs, which could cause some major risk to the natural, and conventional species in the same

process.

The second problem with genetically modified plants and animals?

The second major concern is ethical, because GMOs has raised the integrity, and

perceived the values of an organism, which rules out a natural, and the integrity of a species.

Which could, also affect the integrity of the ecosystem where a genetically modified organism

has occurred. (Dhan Prakash, 2011, p 24). There has, also been scientific evidence that GMOs

in the past couple of years has impacted human’s health, and the impact it has had on the

environment. Genetic engineers have no intentions of inserting a gene to a particular

position, and isn’t being identified.

When a particular gene isn’t being identified it has some major effects, such as the

United States having deformed cotton balls, and the increase in soy. When releasing a plant, or

crop that is genetically modified in the environment. Which could result in species having trait

defects that are nontargeted.

The third major problem with genetically modified plants and animals?

The third major problem is monitoring GMOs when they are being released

in the environment, because of having to do regular inspections, and using diversity to analyze

over an extensive amount of time. One of the possible effects of having to continuously identify

GMOs is having to do a procedure, or an assessment. The second possible effect is not

unforeseen the effects of GMO, or not anticipating the risk of an assessment. Establishing a

monitoring procedure could be effective when introducing an organism in the environment,

but would involve having to do extensive research, and monitoring.

Summary

The major concerns about GMOs is the increase in demands, and having to improve the

current conditions of the environment. Human’s health is being threaten, and the environment

in the same process. The positive is having an opportunity to change thing the way they are

being done. Having to regulate, and monitor GMOs is a risk of the decision maker to make the

appropriate decision when conducting an assessment. It is, also important to consider the

consequences, such as the impact GMOs could have socially, economically, and the ethically.

A possible solution is using a scientific system, which would allow the public’s opinion

on how products are being processed. What could potentially minimize any concerns the public

has could, also minimize risk, and have goals in the development of GMOs. Using tools to

encourage monitoring, and detection could help the environment, and any health concerns.

References

Emily Glass, (August 2, 2013) The Environment impact of GMOs www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-environmental-impact-gmos/

“GMO”, Google Trends, July 2015. https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=gm

“The evolution of corn,” Genetics Learning Center, University of Utah, July 2015

C. James, “Preview: global status of commercialized Biotech/GM crops,” ISAA Briet no. 35,

ISAAA, Ithaca, NY, USA, 2006.

https://www.hindawi.com/journalsisrn/2011