The genetic manipulation has many advantages, but also disadvantages. This new technology, also called genetic engineering, consists of the artificial manipulation, modification and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid molecules in order to modify an organism or population of organisms.
For example, a genetically modified organism can produce a useful substance, or be able to perform a new function.
During the procedure, certain enzymes are used that can cut DNA fragments from an organism.
These fragments are inserted into a space in the DNA of another organism. This means that the new organism with the inserted genes will have the genetic information of one or more new features.
2 Advantages of genetic manipulation
In 1953, scientists discovered how the genetic system works. Since then they have learned to modify the composition of genes and, with it, to change the basic features of an organism.
By extracting genes from cells and adding them to other cells, one has the ability to create properties that have never been seen before.
At present, this technique offers the possibility of improving many different aspects of life.
Improvements in food production
Genetic modifications offer many benefits to food production. These include an increase in production and yield.
They have also improved the taste and nutritional value of food products. Another advantage of genetic manipulation is the reduction of losses caused by various biotic and abiotic stresses, including fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Production of recombinant proteins
An important benefit of genetic engineering is related to the production of proteins. Thanks to recombinant DNA, bacteria can be used to produce proteins of medical importance.
One of these is genetically modified human insulin. This solved the problem of pig insulin intolerance, and has the additional advantage that extraction is less costly.
In the same way, interferon, an antiviral agent that is secreted by cells that are attacked by the virus, is already available.
A final example is growth hormone that can be useful in the treatment of bone fractures, skin burns and bleeding ulcers of the digestive tract.
2 Disadvantages of Genetic Manipulation
Genetic manipulation is a radical technology. When genes from unrelated different species are combined, their genetic codes are permanently altered.
These new organisms will pass the genetic changes to their offspring through inheritance. With this, human beings are becoming the architects of life.
Thus, genetic engineering raises fundamental ethical and social concerns. It also poses serious challenges for the environment, human health, animal welfare and the future of agriculture, among others.
Potential damage to health
One of the disadvantages of this type of technology is the risk that could represent to the health of the people.
In this sense, research on the effects of specific genes has been limited and strictly controlled by the industry.
On the other hand, there is no rigorous approval process for those genetically modified products.
And without effective regulation, there are no guarantees that some of them can be harmful. There will always be a threat that an unwanted trait is transferred to the target plant.
Environmental impact
Genetically modified crops could cause environmental problems. These could become invasive or toxic agents for wildlife and cause great damage.
So far, the most damaging impact of genetic modification has been the phenomenon of pesticide resistance.
Millions of acres of cropland have become resistant to the glyphosate herbicide. The overuse of a trait designed to tolerate the herbicide has promoted the accelerated development of resistance in several weed species.
References
- Genetic engineering. (2017, March 20). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on September 15, 2017, from britannica.com.
- Genetic engineering. (2011). In BBC . Retrieved on September 15, 2017, from bbc.co.uk.
- Azargoon, H. (2002, April 12). Genetic Engineering and its Consequences. In Genetics in Human Affairs GN 301, 9:10. Retrieved on September 15, 2017, from projects.ncsu.edu.
- National Research Council (US) (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects.Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US).
- Benefits of Genetic Engineering. (s / f). In Chemistry learning. Retrieved on September 15, 2017, from chemistrylearning.com.
- Genetic Engineering Risks and Impacts. (of). Union of Concerned Scientists. Retrieved on September 16, 2017, from ucsusa.org.