Biomedical Sciences Research On Gene Technology - 1100 Words

Biomedical Sciences Research On Gene Technology (Research Paper Sample) Content: [Students name][Institutions name][Course title][Professors name][Due date]GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPSGenetic engineering is the modification of an organisms genome usingbiotechnology. Modification includes transfer of genes within or across species as well asthrough molecular cloning. Various methods are used to manipulate the genomes. Cropswhose genes have been altered are referred to as genetically modified crops.One method involves isolating and thereafter replicating the DNA material to produceidentical copies. The DNA material is then inserted into the organism in this case crops.Removing genes can be done using nuclease. Genetic targeting is a method used to add,remove or to mutations. These techniques are referred to as recombinant DNA technology(Halford, 2003). The most common method involves shooting radiation onto the target genesusing a gene gun and has proven most successful in monocotyledons (Liang Skinner,2004).Genetic engineering is performed in order to introduce traits which do not occurnaturally but are highly regarded as crucial. Such traits include; longer shelf life, resistanceto disease, adaptation to certain climate, herbicide tolerance and increased yield (Atherton,2002). A crop could be high yielding, mature faster but be highly susceptible to disease.Another variety of the same crop could take longer to mature while be highly resistant todisease. The disease resistance trait is introduced to the high yielding variety thereby alteringthe original structure of the crop.There have been several concerns over genetically modified crops as is with any newtechnology. Following the myths surrounding them, some countries have banned the use ofthe crops with some partially accepting them while keeping their use in close observation(Bodiguel Cardwell, 2010). This is despite the fact that the technology has beenscientifically proven to be safe with them being equally comparable to unaltered food crops.It is also important to note that mutation naturally occurs. The technology has been aroundsince the late 80s with the first commercial sale being in 1994 involving altered tomatoes toincrease shelf life.The public seems to believe that the crops pose a health risk with some even going as far as proclaiming they cause cancer, which is completely unfounded. Severalorganisations have pushed for the removal of the crops from the market to allow for furtherstudies. They claim that there could be long could be long term health risks which are yet tobe observed. An example is the rise of allergies in children which requires further research.There are concerns that the altered crops will become resistant to conventionalherbicides and as a result becomes invasive (Ferry Gatehouse, 2009). This means that thesecrops could end up growing in unwanted places hence being termed as weeds. Modifiedcrops that are used to produce pesticides produce highly toxic pesticides and pose a risk evenbefore they are manufactured. Bees and butterflies may also be affected largely due to newagricultural practises which do not require them to aid in pollination (Andow, Hilbeck, TuaÌ‚Ì t, 2008). The pesticides used against the GMOs also pose a risk on birds.Cross pollination is bound to happen with conventional crops therefore causingcontamination. As a result, a new strain of the crop will be produced which could possessunwanted traits and maybe eventually lead to the demise of the original crop. Farmers whoare affected are forced to lower their prices as their crop is no longer a pure breed.With land suitable for farming constantly reducing and the exponential growth inpopulation, conventional farming methods cannot support the population. Modified crops aredesigned to grow at a much faster rate. This allows for several harvest seasons. Rather thanplanting once in a year, the faster maturation rate can allow for two planting seasons or evenmore.Another concern is the impact of the modified crops on the environ ment and theconventional food crops. Adoption of biotechnology has seen the reduction of pesticide useby 550,000 tonnes and also led to reduction in greenhouse gases. Leaching as a result ofexcessive pesticide use has therefore been lowered and so has the contamination of waterbodies.The yield from conventional crops is minimal compared to that of biotechnologycrops. The nutritional value is also of a higher quality as well as offering better taste. Thecrop could have a gene introduced into it that enables it to produce a certain vitamin in largerquantities as compared to the normal variety. These crops produce a much bigger harvest forthe same acreage.Having a hefty harvest would be a waste if all of the crop was lost in the field orbefore it has got to the final consumer. Tomatoes for example have been genetically altered toincrease their shelf life from the normal 15 days to up to a month. This is done bysuppressing hormones that cumulatively lead to ripening.Global warming has l ed to unpredictable weather patterns. The rainy seasons are nolonger reliable. This forces farmers to come up with solutions. Irrigation is the way to go butwith the infrastructure required for irrigation being quite expensive, it is more efficient toadapt the crops. Genetically modified crops are much better suited to adapt to theseconditions.Various varieties of maize have been produced to suit a particular set of conditions.For example, the drought resistant maize matures in three months and is quite short in length.Both of these qualities are adaptations to allow the crop to take advantage of the short rainyseasons in drought prone areas in Africa.As genetically modified crops are much easier to produce, maintain and sustain theyare mu...