Genetic engineering is a specific type of gene technology that modifies the genetic machinery of living things like plants, animals, and microorganisms. The main transgenic crops planted commercially in fields are canola, corn, and soybeans which are herbicide and pesticide-resistant. Other commercially grown and/or field-tested crops include sweet potatoes that can withstand a virus that could wipe out the majority of the African harvest, rice with more iron and vitamins that could help Asian countries with chronic malnutrition, and several plants that can withstand extreme weather conditions. The ability of DNA to be transferred between organisms was originally identified by scientists in 1946. It is now understood that there are a variety of DNA transfer processes and that these occur often in nature. For instance, DNA transfer is a key mechanism for antibiotic resistance in harmful bacteria. In 1983, the first genetically altered plant was created using a tobacco plant. With the release of tobacco that was virus resistant in the early 1990s, China became the first nation to commercialize a transgenic crop. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the transgenic “Flavor Saver tomato” for marketing in the USA in 1994. The alteration made it possible for the tomato to put off ripening after harvest. Technology for genetically altering food holds enormous promise for addressing some of the 21st century’s biggest challenges. Like new technology generally, this comes with certain known and unknown hazards.
GMO Corn
Read Also: Global Overpopulation: The Consequences on Natural Water Resources, Food Demand, and the Environment
Safety, risks, and public concerns
It is crucial to understand the benefits and drawbacks of GM food before considering its use, especially with regard to safety. By introducing genes from different animals into their DNA, these foods are created. While this type of genetic alteration is applied to both plants and animals, it is more frequently found in the former. Among the advantages of genetic engineering in agriculture are higher crop yields, lower costs for food or drug production, a decrease in the need for pesticides, improved nutrient composition and food quality, disease and pest resistance, greater food security, and health advantages for the world’s expanding population. Foods with the potential to treat specific ailments and diseases are being developed by experts. Furthermore, progress has been made in creating crops that mature more quickly and can withstand environmental stresses including drought, frost, salt, boron, and aluminum, allowing plants to grow in environments where they could not normally thrive.
Although scientists and producers claim that there are several benefits to eating these meals, a sizeable portion of the community is completely opposed to them. The safety of GM food is a hot topic, as are questions about how to label it, whether agricultural biotechnology is necessary to address world hunger now or in the future, and more specifically, questions about intellectual property and market dynamics, the environmental effects of GM crops, and the role of GM crops in industrial agriculture. The potential for adverse consequences on the human body posed by genetically modified foods is the biggest danger. It is thought that eating these genetically modified crops can lead to the emergence of illnesses resistant to antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, because these foods are relatively recent innovations, less is known about their long-term impacts on people. Many people choose to avoid these items since it is unknown how they may affect their health. Because they believe it would negatively affect their business, manufacturers do not disclose on the label that foods are created using genetic engineering, which is a bad practice.
Because they view it as an unnatural method of food production, many religious and cultural societies are opposed to such foods. A lot of individuals also don’t like the concept of introducing animal DNA into plants and vice versa. In addition, other creatures that live and prosper in the environment may also be harmed by this cross-pollination technique. Analysts believe that as demand for these foods rises, developing nations will begin to rely more on industrialized nations because it is possible that in the future, they will control food production.
Another issue is the emergence of superbugs and superweeds, which are resistant to pesticides and weedkillers. Anytime there is enough selection pressure, resistance can develop. Commercial planting of these cultivars would put a lot of pressure on the habitat, which might lead to the emergence of resistant insects and negate the benefits of transgenic plants. Conversely, if pesticide spraying increases as a result of new cultivars, nearby weeds may grow resistant to the herbicide that the crop tolerates. This would result in an increase in the number and types of herbicides applied to crop plants, as well as an increase in the doses needed.
More research and improved safety walking hand-in-hand
The use of genetically modified organisms is supported by those who think that, with enough study, these species may be safely commercialized. There are several experimental modifications for the expression and regulation of modified genes that can be employed to minimize potential dangers. Several of these procedures are currently required by new regulations, such as minimizing unnecessary DNA transfer and substituting selectable marker genes frequently employed in laboratories (antibiotic resistance) with harmless plant-derived markers. Having built-in identification features, such as coloration, that permit monitoring, and separation of genetically modified crops from non-genetically modified plants, may help solve problems like the risk of vaccine-expressing plants being mixed up with regular consumables. Additional built-in control strategies include the use of male-sterile plants, geographical isolation, inducible promoters (e.g., induced by stress, chemicals, etc.), separate growing seasons, and inducible promoters.
Read Also: Scientists Help Plants Recover Following Injury with Chemical Tweak
Conclusion
When genetically modified organisms are employed to improve the accessibility, quality, and affordability of food, healthcare, and the environment, mankind benefits. They have the potential to reduce hunger and disease globally, and if employed intelligently, they could enhance the economy without causing more harm than good. Yet, without careful consideration and close attention to the risks connected with each new GMO individually, the full potential of genetically modified organisms cannot be fulfilled.
References
Genetically modified foods: safety, risks and public concerns—a review
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology
