Research Paper on Understanding GMOs: Pros & Cons

Introduction

The essay will look into understanding the concept of the genetically modified organism by weighing the various cons and pros weighing. A brief introduction and analysis of the idea will cover the first part of the essay, then followed by a more profound critic and evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs in all levels of production.

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GMOs are genetically modified organisms whose genetic code has been manipulated artificially through laboratories by genetic engineering. It is through this artificial manipulation by genetic engineering that the creation of animals, plants, bacteria, and genes of virus that are not naturally produced through cross-breeding come to existence. Most of the genetically modified organisms are created in a way that they can withstand the direct herbicide application or in the production of pesticides (Loose, D., & Nancy, H. 2017).

There has been a significant advancement in the generation of an artificial organism through technology where new trends have seen the production and development of traits in plants. These traits, for instance, include the production of plants that are resistant to browning in apples. Creation of new organisms through synthetic biology has also been a development with the GMOs trend over time. It has been noted that despite the highest recognition of this type of pattern in technology in production, there hasn't been any supporting evidence that back up the notion that GMOs increase yield, are resistant to drought or enhance nutrition in the benefit of the consumer.

The production of GMOs through scientific methods includes processes like recombinant DNA technology and the like of reproductive cloning. Reproductive cloning involves the extraction of a nucleus from a cell of a person for cloning and is then inserted in enucleated cytoplasm of the egg of a host. The resultant process involves the generation of an offspring genetically identical to the donor. History dates back in 1996 when the first successful cloning an animal was done with a nucleus from an adult donor cell. The sheep that was cloned at that time was called Dolly.

After that successful cloning in 1996, other animals, including horses, dogs, and pigs, have been reproduced by the same means of cloning technology. On the other hand, recombinant DNA is a process that involves the insertion of one or many genes of individual genes of an organism species into the deoxyribonucleic acid of the other. It is a whole replacement of genome that involves transplantation of a single genome of bacteria into the cytoplasm of the cell body of the other microorganism. This type of technology has not been used as much, and it is still limited to the primary applications of science.

Pros of GMOs

GMOs have been found to take less land to grow more food compared to the traditional means of production. GMO crops can be cloned to produce higher productivity in the same land. It is estimated that farmers can reap double produce if they apply GMO in the same cropland. It is, therefore, possible for the economy to successfully meet food demand for the future generation.

GMO crops can conserve soil, energy, and water resources which then allows food distribution avenues to have less impact on the environment. GMO crops can thrive better in areas with little rainfall and thus have no irrigation for proper genetic modifications. Because the foods are resistant to weeds, and pests, there is an excellent possibility of a consistent yield to be produced which makes it easier for food budgeting in a large population (Bratlie et al. 2019)

GMO crops are resistant to pests and weeds, this then means that production expense in the form of pest control will be reduced and farmers will have to save more than when using traditional crops.

Cons of GMOs

GMOs have a significant impact on the environment, primarily through the insect-resistant crops on the non-target species, which is a potential risk. For instance, bees are known not to be pests, but plants cause harm to them. It is a risk that could lead to domino effects causing inhabitation of pollination. Birds and butterflies are also on the risk. Targeted pest might eventually be resistant to the adverse effects of the insect-resistant crops, which might translate to an endless cycle of crop alteration followed by other pest resistance.

The other con is that GMO crops possess a competition with the native species because they grow faster and yields higher produce than the native species. It is a risk that could lead to economic and ecological damage.

GMOs are impossible to follow up, once they are introduced in the environment, it will be tough to eliminate them. It is a risk associated with the introduction of conventionally and naturally occurring species (Shiva, V. (Ed.). 2016).

Genetic contamination is another risk that may arise with the growth of GMOs in the environment. The introduced GMO genes may interbreed with the sexually compatible, and this might lead to alteration of the genes of native species affecting their behavior and relationships.

Conclusion

In my own accord, I side with the cons because GMOs have a potential of very drastic effects on the future generation if they are not contained. The spread and growth of these GMOs are easily and fast taking upon the economy and the environment, and this can be a significant challenge to tackle shortly. The situation is a sensitive matter that needs to be looked upon and guarded over any contamination that GMO crops might bring.

References

Bratlie, S., Halvorsen, K., Myskja, B. K., Mellegard, H., Bjorvatn, C., Frost, P., ... & Malnes, R. S. (2019). A novel governance framework for GMO: A tiered, more flexible regulation for GMOs would help to stimulate innovation and public debate. EMBO reports 20(5), e47812.

Loose, D., & Nancy, H. (2017). How can we better detect unauthorized GMOs in food and feed chains?. Trends in biotechnology.

Shiva, V. (Ed.). (2016). Seed sovereignty, food security: Women in the vanguard of the fight against GMOs and corporate agriculture. North Atlantic Books.