Scribd
Upload
42 views4 pages

Controversies With Genetically Modified Animals Biological Process

The document discusses several controversies around genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Some groups see genetic modification as interfering with natural biological processes, while others are concerned about the limitations of science to understand all potential risks. There are also concerns about GMOs introducing allergens or antibiotic resistance into the food chain. While scientists say approved GMOs are safe, many countries discourage consumption due to health and environmental concerns. Some nations have refused GM food aid over safety fears. The acceptance of GMOs is also controversial with regards to corporate interests versus consumer benefits. Debates continue around complete prohibition versus mandatory labeling of GM foods and products.

Uploaded by

tarzt56
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
42 views4 pages

Controversies With Genetically Modified Animals Biological Process

The document discusses several controversies around genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Some groups see genetic modification as interfering with natural biological processes, while others are concerned about the limitations of science to understand all potential risks. There are also concerns about GMOs introducing allergens or antibiotic resistance into the food chain. While scientists say approved GMOs are safe, many countries discourage consumption due to health and environmental concerns. Some nations have refused GM food aid over safety fears. The acceptance of GMOs is also controversial with regards to corporate interests versus consumer benefits. Debates continue around complete prohibition versus mandatory labeling of GM foods and products.

Uploaded by

tarzt56
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Controversies with genetically modified animals

Biological process

The use of GMOs has sparked significant controversy in many areas. Some groups
or individuals see the generation and use of GMO as intolerable meddling with
biological states or processes that have naturally evolved over long periods of
time, while others are concerned about the limitations of modern science to fully
comprehend all of the potential negative ramifications of genetic manipulation.

Foodchain

The safety of GMOs in the foodchain has been questioned, with concerns such as
the possibilities that GMOs could introduce new allergens into foods, or
contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Although scientists and
governments have stated that these types of crops are safe and that no adverse
health effects have been seen consumption is still being discouraged in many
countries by food and environmental activist groups, who protest GM crops,
claiming they are unnatural and therefore unsafe.

Trade with Europe and Africa

In response to negative public opinion, Monsanto announced its decision to


remove their seed cereal business from Europe, and environmentalists crashed a
World Trade Organization conference in Cancun that promoted GM foods and
was sponsored by Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT). Some African
nations have refused emergency food aid from developed countries, fearing that
the food is unsafe. During a conference in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa,
Kingsley Amoako, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA), encouraged African nations to accept genetically
modified food and expressed dissatisfaction in the public’s negative opinion of
biotechnology.

Agricultural surpluses

Patrick Mulvany, Chairman of the UK Food Group, accused some governments,


especially the Bush administration, of using GM food aid as a way to dispose of
unwanted agricultural surpluses. The UN blamed food companies and accused
them of violating human rights, calling on governments to regulate these profit-
driven firms. It is widely believed that the acceptance of biotechnology and
genetically modified foods will also benefit rich research companies and could
possibly benefit them more than consumers in underdeveloped nations. [35]

Labeling

While some groups advocate the complete prohibition of GMOs, others call for
mandatory labeling of genetically modified food or other products. Other
controversies include the definition of patent and property pertaining to products
of genetic engineering.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Examples

Transgenic microbes

Bacteria were the first organisms to be modified in the laboratory, due to their
simple genetics.[15] These organisms are now used for several purposes, and are
particularly important in producing large amounts of pure human proteins for use
in medicine.[16]

Genetically modified bacteria are used to produce the protein insulin to treat
diabetes.[17] Similar bacteria have been used to produce clotting factors to treat
haemophilia,[18] and human growth hormone to treat various forms of dwarfism.
[19][20]

[edit] Transgenic animals


Some chimeras, like the blotched mouse shown, are created through genetic
modification techniques like gene targeting.

Transgenic animals are used as experimental models to perform phenotypic and


for testing in biomedical research.[21] Other applications include the production of
human hormones such as insulin.

[edit] Fruit flies

In biological research, transgenic fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are model


organisms used to study the effects of genetic changes on development. [22] Fruit
flies are often preferred over other animals due to their short life cycle, low
maintenance requirements, and relatively simple genome compared to many
vertebrates.

Mammals

Genetically modified mammals are an important category of genetically modified


organisms. Transgenic mice are often used to study cellular and tissue-specific
responses to disease.

In 2009, scientists in Japan announced that they had successfully transferred a


gene into a primate species (marmosets) and produced a stable line of breeding
transgenic primates for the first time.

Cnidarians

Cnidarians such as Hydra have become attractive model organisms to study the
evolution of immunity. For analytical purposes an important technical
breakthrough was the development of a transgenic procedure for generation of
stably transgenic hydras by embryo microinjection.

Fish

Genetically modified fish has promoters driving an over-production of "all fish"


growth hormone. This resulted in dramatic growth enhancement in several
species, including salmonids, carps and tilapias.

You might also like