Genetic modification of plants is the process of transferring desirable genes between plants by use of specific laboratory techniques which include replicating the specific genes to be transferred, joining the DNA segments together and introducing the genes in to the cell of the plant. The collective term for this technology is ‘recombinant DNA technology’ (Byrne, n.d). The plant is said to be ‘genetically modified, genetically engineered or transgenic’ (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2012). In 1946, scientists discovered the possibility of DNA transfer between plants or animals. In 1983, a tobacco plant that was resistant to a virus was used to create the first genetically modified plant. In 1990, China emerged the first country to legalize the marketing and sell of a genetically modified plant produced from a tobacco plant resistant to a certain virus. The Food and Drug Administration in 1994 allowed the US to sell the ‘Flavor Saver Tomato’ (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2012) that had been genetically modified. From 1995, genetically modified plants or foods started gaining popularity in most countries. By 2011, the US was at the top of the list of countries that highly produce GM foods (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2012). Genetic modification of plants has gained popularity over the years and it is good for a reader to understand the reasons behind this. The thesis statement for this argumentative essay will be ‘Genetic modification of plants has done more good than harm to the human population’.
The process of genetic modification of a plant requires various procedures. The commonly used procedures are; introducing DNA covered tiny particles that are microscopic in nature in to the cell of a plant through shooting via a ‘gene gun’ (Key, Ma and Drake, 2008) and naturally transferring the DNA in to the plant cell using a ‘bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens’ (Key, Ma and Drake, 2008). The main aim of these procedures is to focus on specific plant cells for regeneration of an entire GM plant. The gene transfer process introduces various factors like pest resistance and drought resistance to the plant (Key, Ma and Drake, 2008).
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The technology of genetically modifying plants is being used in combating the increasing levels of food insecurity in developing countries. Over 1 billion people across the world cannot access secure food and most of the population is in developing countries. Genetic engineering is being applied in producing plants with higher yields and increased nutritional value. The ‘golden rice project’ is one of the major technologies used in reducing the levels of Vitamin A deficiency in developing nations. Suitable metabolic processes were introduced in to the endosperm of rice to help in the synthesis of beta carotene which is the most active element in Vitamin A. It applied the principle of genetic modification. Plants have also been modified in a way that they are resistant to pests, viruses, diseases, bacteria, fungus and drought. This genetic engineering allows the crops to give maximum yields which in turn help in reducing food insecurity. The technology was first applied to maize and soybeans. On the other hand, GM plants have been used in pharmaceutical industries to produce drugs and vaccines (Key, Ma and Drake, 2008)
Genetic modification of plants creates room for the production of food substances that have a longer shelf life because they are less likely to rot. On the other hand, it helps in production of foods that cause less allergic reactions (Jones, 1999). Furthermore, the increased production of foods makes food affordable and hence people tend to have easy access to the foods (Moglina and Magufwa, n.d). Nevertheless, Verma (2013) disputes the above mentioned advantages of genetic modification of plants and says the technology has raised some concerns. The author argues that the plants tend to have negative effects to human beings and the environment. Some people get allergic reactions by consuming the genetically modified foods because they contain glycoproteins that some people are allergic to. In addition, some of the plants are made antibiotic resistant and can further cause a person become resistant to antibiotic therapy when sick. To the environment, genetic engineering can lead to growth of weeds that might be resistant to the herbicides. They might also cause other harmful effects to the environment for example through killing the untargeted animals and plants reducing the biodiversity. On the other hand, the technology can modify the nutritional component of food to the worst as several chemicals are used in the entire plant growth (Buiatti, Christou and Pastore, 2013).
In conclusion, genetically modified plants have gained popularity because of the numerous advantages attached to them. The disadvantages mentioned by some of the scholars tend to occur rarely. Furthermore, these alterations might occur only when the scientists are not so keen. I believe the scientists are doing their best to eliminate any challenges or adverse effects that might be brought about by the technology. Furthermore, more research aimed at analyzing the risks, predicating these risks and preventing them should be done. Researchers should also take up the responsibility of monitoring the procedures so that any negative effects brought about by the technology can be kept at a minimal level. On the better part, GM plants have been more beneficial to the people because the plants yields have increased and the nutritional content of the foods improved. Furthermore, the plants have been used in the production of vaccines and other medicines. From the above discussion, it can be noted that genetically modified plants have brought more good than harm to the human population.
References
Bawa, A. S & Anilakumar, K.R. (2012). Genetically Modified Foods: Safety, Risks and Public Concerns-A Review. Journal of Food Science and Technology . 50(6), 1035-1046
Buiatti, M., Christou, P. & Pastore, G. (2013). The application of GMOs in Agriculture and in Food Production for a Better Nutrition: Two Different Scientific Points of View. Genes and Nutrition . 8(3), 255-270
Byrne, P. (n.d). Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Techniques and Applications. Retrieved November 26, 2016 from http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/agriculture/genetically-modified-gm-crops-techniques-and-applications-0-710/
Jones, L. (1999). Genetically Modified Foods. BMJ . 318(7183), 581-584
Key, S., Ma, J. K-C. & Drake, P. MW. (2008). Genetically Modified Plants and Human Health. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine . 101(6), 290-298
Mogilna, N. and Magufwa, A. (n.d). Genetic Modified Foods: Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved November 26, 2016 from http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/bitstream/123456789/7916/1/14.pdf
Verma, R.S. (2013). Genetically Modified Plants: Public and Scientific Perceptions. International scholarly Research Notices . 1-13
