A genetically modified organism represents a plant or animal whose genes have been created in the laboratories. The main aim of creating these genes is to develop a plant or crop with a certain traits. Their genes have undergone alteration to hold a segment of DNA from different organisms. Genetically modified organisms have been in use in conventional livestock production, pet breeding and it has been used in crop farming. This technology has been in existence since 1980 where scientists in the lab have used gene engineering extensively or proteins, genetically modified organisms can also be used to determine gene function. GMOs can also be used to create models for human disease. Genetically Modified Organisms can be plants or animal that has been altered to incorporate genes from other organisms (Allchin, 2014). With the increase in the urge by farmers to grow and breed animals with certain characteristics, the genetically modified organisms have played a crucial role in fulfilling the wishes of farmers. The increased information on animal and plants genes is what might have led to the practice of GMO becoming more sophisticated and hence allowing farmers and researchers to select specifically for traits that they want. In an effort to induce desired changes in plants' genetic makeup, researchers began creating new crops hybrids in laboratories s and applying chemicals and radiation. Genetically Modified Organisms have led to the introduction of new crops that include rice cultivars that can thrive in drought conditions and wheat cultivars that have a much more productive when harvested. Genetically modified organisms, therefore, is a technology that was established to level up on naturally occurring traits that are achieved through selective breeding. A common type of GMO food is the Roundup Ready corn, this corn is resistant to the herbicide (Avery, 2001). When GMOs are made, the researchers first identify the desired trait. These traits can be resistance to insects or the ability to thrive well under harsh climatic conditions. Researchers first look for genomes from natural species of plants or animals natural species. These plants and animals have certain traits that the scientists are looking for, these plants then undergo an isolation process that will see genes from the natural organisms being transferred to lab tubes for further study and creation after that these prepared genes are transferred to desired crops or animals for cross breeding. Recombinant DNA technology is also another method of making GMOs that deals with cloning. The technology involves the insertion of genes from organisms into the DNA of another different kind of species. These GMOs are then tested extensively and researchers look for the differences between the GMO and the conventional counterpart. Plants that do not perform well are not selected through the developmental stage of gene creation. Safety measures are a priority in the production of GMOs, with scientists doing more than 50 studies on GMOs to ensure that GMOs products are safe for both the environment and the people. Regulation bodies also are in place to ensure safety standards are met, agencies like the USDA, EPA AND FDA. GMO products must get approval from these agencies before they can be commercialized. In the United States, the most commonly found GM crops are soy, corn, cotton and even canola. Therefore, GMO creation is made up of four processes that include selection, isolation, removal of the chromosome that contains the selected genetic code and finally inserting the genes into a seed or plants and the new plants or animals will grow with some desirable trait (Lynas & Tudge, 2010).
Genetically modified organisms can be engineered to provide better health benefits. They have been tailored to include additional nutrients in them. Genetically foods like soy have been used as nutritional foods that have helped people get nutrients. On top of that, genetically modified organisms have been used in the field of medicine in a production of insulin. Diabetic patients have insufficient insulin in their bodies but through the production of genetically modified insulin, these patients are capable of getting insulin. Mammals get human genes to aid in the production of insulin; these mammals can include goats or sheep and are used as mediums in the production of insulin. Insulin production through genetic tailoring has helped in the field of medicine; it has lowered the cost of medicines and therapies for patients with diabetes. GMOs engineering has also helped in the use in gene therapy, like viruses GMOs can be used like viruses. In treating different kinds of disorders like sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis gene therapy can be useful and has been used over the years. Genetic modification, therefore, has played a crucial role in bettering the field of medicine and helping patients with severe conditions ( Nelson , 2001).
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Genetic Modification has positively influenced people’s lives through agriculture. GMOs have played a significant role in agriculture by tailoring crops that are resistant to some weather conditions and crops that have high yields. This has boosted farmers since they yields have been positive and that these crops and animals can be tailored on certain traits that the farmers may like. These crops are also made to be more nutritious and the farmers have a way of managing weed at their farms. GMOs have enabled farmers to grow crops that are pest resistant and that cannot be affected by pests or disease that affects crops. MOs generally allows for profit maximization since farmers can spend less on crop and animal growth and still expect high returns (Morrow, 2010).
Genetically modified organisms have also played a crucial role in creating neo-organs. This science of genetic modification engineering has enabled scientists to increase the supply of desired organs. Hospitals in the U.S are not able to access different organs to aid in transplant. Genetic engineering enables regeneration of new tissues using a tissue injector in the injection of a growth. Creation of new organs can also be done by using a scaffold from polymers that are biodegradable used to contain the plant cells.
Genetically modified crops are said to be a solution to land encroachment and can be used to conserve energy, soil and water resources. Genetically modified crops can allow naturally grown plants to make less of an impact on the environment. An example is the large-scale plantations of crops that require pesticides and a ton of water for irrigation. This has a severe impact on the environment especially the pesticides that are used in those forms that later are washed away to the soil and some in rivers and oceans. Genetically modified crops are in a position to minimize this impact since they crops can be engineered to be resistant of harsh climatic conditions and pesticide resistant crops that would not require pesticides that will end up polluting rivers the soil.
Genetic modification can save some animals and crops from extinction. Some fruits especially oranges have been saved from extinction by cloning one of the original species trees that was crafted to create additional trees. Therefore, GMOs are crucial in people’s daily lives since they are helpful in many ways across different sectors and disciplines.
One of the negative environmental uses of GMOs is the hormonal imbalance that their use can create. The hormonal imbalance can be harmful to people since it alters the structure and functioning of the liver. Livers can be affected greatly by continues use of GMOs, especially in their role of metabolizing carbohydrates and fats in the body. This failure of the liver to metabolize carbohydrates and fats in the body can be a recipe for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They can still cause long-term problems that can include immune system disorders and infertility. When GMOs were first introduced in the U.S in 1996 the percentage of people with chronic illness rose from 7 percent to 13 percent after nine years since they first use. GMOs in America today are the leading causes of food allergies disorders like autism and reproductive disorders. GMOs use has been greatly condemned by the many groups including the American Public Health Association and the Nurses Association. The soymilk has replaced cow milk, which is linked to cancer (Prakash, Verma, Bhatia, & Tiwary, 2011).
The use of GMOs has increased the use of herbicides. The use of toxic herbicides has increased fifteen fold due to the use of herbicides like Roundup. The World Health Organization identified the herbicides used as harmful and carcinogenic to humans. Most crops made from GMOs are believed to withstand pests and herbs. This affected the ecosystem since it can be dangerous to other insects that play a role in the ecosystem. Genetically modified crops can also cause unwanted residual effects. These residual effects remain in the soil for long periods. This then has harmful effects on naturally growing plants. It has also been identified that GMOs increase and create weeds. Tailored crops can act as mediators in taking genes to wild plants, which therefore create more weeds. GMOs crops threaten the diversity of crops they also have trade issues with some countries blocking the products made from GMOs (Bakshi, 2003).
Genetically modified organisms increase allergenic effects. Transfer of genetic material from one crop to the other may cause allergenic material from one species into another. Therefore, those that have constant allergies coming from certain crops may be exposed to more crops that have allergenic effects. GMOs completely alters the ecosystem and how cross pollution works. Birds and insects are also affected since they depend on nectar from crops. GMOs crops can lack nectars and hence birds and insects role in the ecosystem is cut short. Their increased resistance to pesticides eventually ends up and pests start consuming and destroying these crops.
However, the great harmful effects of GMOs, counties have put into practice safety measures to minimize their use among the population. Around the world, more than sixty countries and all of the European Union countries require genetically modified foods to be labeled. This is a measure to create awareness to consumers before they buy GMOs products. In America though, GMO products are not labeled properly and more than 80 per cent of citizens believe that genetically modified foods should be well labeled for consumers. This, therefore, has led to the formation of projects that give consumers information and create awareness of GMOs products. Long-term effects of Genetically Modified Organisms is yet too established though have not been known (Halfon, 2009).
References
Allchin, D. (2014). Organisms, Modified, Genetically. The American Biology teacher 76 (9):639-64
Avery, D. T. (2001). Genetically Modified Organisms can help save the planet . In Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture , pp. 205-215. doi:10.1016/b978-012515422-2/50023-0
Bakshi, A. (2003). Potential adverse health effects of Genetically Modified Crops. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B , 6 (3), 211-225. doi:10.1080/10937400306469
Halfon, S. (2009). Confronting the WTO: Intervention Strategies in GMO Adjudication. Science, Technology, & Human Values , 35 (3), 307-329. doi:10.1177/0162243909337122
Lynas, M., & Tudge, C. (2010). GMOs: a solution or a problem? Journal of International affairs , 67 (2), 131-139.
Morrow, K. (2010). Genetically Modified Organisms and Risk. The Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms: Comparative Approaches , 54-76. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199542482.003.0004
Nelson, G. C. (2001). Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture: Economics and politics . San Diego, Calif: Academic Press.
Prakash, D., Verma, S., Bhatia, R., & Tiwary, B. N. (2011). Risks and Precautions of Genetically Modified Organisms. ISRN Ecology , 1-13. doi:10.5402/2011/369573
