Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering is the alteration of genetic make-up to make something new in life in a way not intended by nature. Genetic Engineering has been around for many years. Dated back to 3000 BC the discovery of art showed a picture of people brewing, "Western Nations intoxicate themselves by means of moistened grains". Even in 4000 BC in Tigris-Euphrates where viticulture was established grain was more suitable than grapes to make beer, so in Mesopotamia 40% of cereal production went into beer. So, some of these acts that happened centuries ago show signs of biotechnology first being established.

Some dangers of genetically modified organisms towards most people are if genetically modified foods have novel allergens or novel toxins? Also, if people consume the genetically modified food will they develop an antibiotic resistance? These are some dangers that people view in relation to genetically modified food. In our natural world will the resistance to certain diseases or insects be destroyed or altered with genetically modified plants. Also will there be a reduced diversity of plants if all plants are modified to a certain standard? If the natural strain of genetic makeup in plant is lost then that strain will be lost and won't be able to come back. Also, will certain insects or species be affected by the alteration of certain plants with certain genes added to them? So basically there is going to be a trade off with every genetically modified plant. What about agriculture? Will small farm be put out of business because they won't be able to afford this new technological advancement? Also will labor be diminished do to this new technology of genetically modified food? For example round up ready fields will not have to be sprayed or manually pulled by people therefore decreasing farm labor. Also, lastly will corporate companies such as Monsanto gain ownership over a certain species of seed just because it altered a natural existing seed by putting into the seed a new gene? So, will there be monopolies with this new existence of genetically modifying plants? These are all questions and concerns dealing with biotechnology and it's advancement in today's society.

Some potential benefits of GMO's are quite diverse. Medically with new genetically modified plants new medicines are being researched.