Article on Genetically Modified Organisms

GMOs are the organisms whose genome in a laboratory is designed to produce desirable physiological features or the production of desirable biological products. In livestock production, crop farming, and even breeding, it has long been a matter of breeding selected individuals of a particular species to produce offspring with desirable traits. However, in genetic modification, genetic engineering is used to produce organisms whose genes have been precisely altered at the cellular level, usually by inserting genes from a variety of unrelated organisms that include code that cannot be easily detected by selective genetic selection.

Genetically modified organisms are produced using scientific methods that combine genetic DNA technology with reproductive cloning. In reproductive cloning, the nucleus is released from the developing human cell and inserted into the enucleated cytoplasm of the fertilised egg. This process leads to the birth of a donor-like offspring. Dolly, a sheep born in 1996, was the first animal to be produced using the nucleus of a cell from an adult donor. Many other animals, such as dogs, pigs, and horses have been bred using breeding technology since then. The insertion of one or more genes from one organism into the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of another is known as alternative DNA technology. It has been reported that complete genetic mutations, which involve the transfer of bacteria to the “cell body,” or cytoplasm, are another microorganism, although this technology is still limited to basic scientific instruments.

Agricultural GMOs:

Engineering plants can grow significantly in each crop area and, in some cases, reduce the use of chemical pesticides. For example, the use of broad-spectrum pesticides has decreased in many crop growing areas, such as cotton, potatoes and corn, which have been genetically engineered from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that produces a natural pesticide known as Bt. A field study conducted in India where Bt cotton compared to non-Bt cotton showed a 30–80 percent increase in yield from GM crops.

Some GM crops are designed to be resistant to certain herbicides, rather than to natural predators or insects. Herbicides have been around since the mid-1980’s; these plants make it easier to control weeds chemically, as only HRC plants can survive in fields that have been treated with the corresponding pesticide. Many HRCs are resistant to glyphosate, which allows free chemical use, and is very effective in weed control. Such crops have been very important to uncultivated agriculture, which helps to prevent soil erosion. However, because Herbicides promote increased use of chemicals in the soil, instead of reducing their use, they remain controversial about their impact on the environment. In addition, in order to reduce the risk of weed-resistant weed control, farmers should use a variety of weed control techniques.

Genetically Modified Organisms in research and medicine:

GMOs have emerged as one of the pillars of biomedical research since 1980. GM animal models of human genetics assist researchers in the development of new medicines and in the exploration of the roles of risk factors for candidates and corrective agents. GM germs, plants, and animals have also revolutionised the pharmaceutical industry, allowing for the development of safer and less expensive vaccinations and medicinal medications. Medicinal products range from the hepatitis B vaccine recreated from GM baker yeast to injectable insulin produced from GM Escherichia coli and tissue plasminogen activator, both of which are produced from GM mammal cells grown in a laboratory culture. In addition, GM crops that produce “edible vaccines” are under development.

Genetically Modified Organisms in environmental management:

Another use of GMOs is in the control of environmental issues. For example, some bacteria can produce indestructible plastics, and the transfer of that ability to germs that can easily be grown in a laboratory may make the plastic industry “green” on a large scale.

While GMOs have numerous potential benefits for society, their potential hazards have heightened the debate, particularly in the food industry. Many sceptics warn of the dangers GM crops may pose to human health. For example, genetic mutations may alter the genetic makeup of plants. Whether other GM crops, such as gold rice, offer the promise of improved health benefits is also unclear. The release of GM mosquitoes and other GMOs into the environment also raised concerns.

Conclusion:

In the future, GMOs may continue to play an important role in biomedical research. GMO foods may provide better nutrition and perhaps even design to contain therapeutic compounds to improve human health. If GMOs are not shown to be safe and healthy, consumer resistance to these products is likely to decrease.