Gr 12 Genetics and Ethics

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used in agriculture to improve crop yields and reduce farming costs

• However the use of GM crops is a contentious issue, as economic benefits must be weighed against environmental risks

GM Crops and Human Health

• GM crops can be used to improve human nutritional standards, by incorporating genes for certain proteins, vitamin or vaccines
• Additionally, GM crops can be manufactured that lack common natural allergens or toxins
• However, the inclusion or removal of certain genes could trigger unexpected adverse health reactions in some individuals
• Currently, not all foods with GM components are labelled, making informed decisions of use difficult for consumers

GM Crops and Economic Consequences

• GM crops can include genes to enable them to grow in a wider range of environments (e.g. drought / frost / salinity resistance)
• GM crops can be manufactured to produce greater yields (crops can potentially grow larger and faster)
• GM crops can include genes which slow the rate of spoiling, leading to longer shelf lives for GM foods
• GM crops may possess resistance to certain viruses or produce toxins to pests (reducing need for the use of pesticides)
• Herbicide resistant crops can be used to allow for the easier killing of weeds (which compete with crops for soil nutrients)
• Overall, an improved yield, reduction in farming costs and ability to farm more land will provide an economic benefit to farmers
• However, patent protection allows biotech companies to restrict the use of seeds and force farmers to pay high prices for use

GM Crops and Environmental Issues

• The ability to farm a wider range of environments with GM crops will potentially reduce the need for associated deforestation
• Also, the generation of pest-resistant crops means that less chemical insecticides will be released into the environment
• However, GM crops could potentially reduce biodiversity in a region by competing with indigenous plant life
• Furthermore, proteins or toxins produced by GM crops could negatively affect certain organisms within the ecosystem
• Cross-pollination by GM crops could also result in the formation of herbicide-resistant weeds and grasses
• GM crops with pest toxins could also accelerate the evolution of resistant pest species

GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have been artificially manipulated through genetic engineering to express new traits

There are a number of possible applications for the genetic modification of organisms:

• Agricultural crops are commonly modified to improve yield, growth rates and nutritional value
• Genetically modified animals may be used to grow human transplant tissues and organs (xenotransplantation)
• A number of microorganisms are being considered as future clean fuel producers and biodegraders
• Pharmaceutical companies are exploring the possibilities of introducing vaccines, antibodies and medicines into foods

• Genetic modification can be used in agriculture to overcome unfavourable environmental factors and increase crop yield
• Tolerance genes can be introduced into plants to provide resistance to herbicides
• Genes from xerophytes or halophytes can be introduced into crops to allow them to grow in dry soil or saline conditions
• Resistance to particular viral diseases or pathogenic infections can be introduced into crop plants

Crops can also be genetically modified to produce novel products that may benefit the consumer

• The introduction of genes may improve the nutritional value of the crop (e.g. Golden rice produces more beta-carotene)
• Modified crops may produce toxins to pest species, obviating the need for insecticides (e.g. Bt corn is toxic to the corn borer)
• Crops are being created that possess the antigenic fragments of specific pathogens, thus functioning as edible vaccines