Research Paper
Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs): Validity of prevention methods
Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs), are crops that have had an alteration in their genome. This is done when genes contained in the DNA, each of which determines the production of a specific protein, is inserted or removed from the crops (Kleter and Kok, 2010). In most cases, GMCs have genes inserted rather than have genes removed; hence, they are referred to as transgenes. It is clear that GMCs have a wide range of benefits to the ecological system as a whole. Two examples of such advantages include the higher yield of crops due to an insertion of genes resistance to diseases and pest, as well as medical benefits such as treating patients with diabetes by using an insertion with insulin (Tenbult et al., 2008).
Regardless of these given benefits, GMCs remain controversial. This controversy is a result of a growing uneasiness concerning the potential negative effects, which could result from exposure to GMCs. Such drawbacks include the health risks of allergies that a person can develop from inserted genes when fed with GMCs. In addition, the spread of transgenes into the wild affects the natural equilibrium balance, which in turn becomes problematic. As a result of the spread of transgenes, natural crops can be contaminated by this new hybrid crop. Measures taken to try and control the spread of transgenes include the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and environmental risk assessment procedures; however, these methods are not sufficient enough to mediate the unforeseeable negative effects that GMCs have on the environment.
The transfer of transgene by insect and/or wind can occur over a large range, which results in the transmission of transgenes to non-transgenic crops. This lies with the fact that these transgenes are dominant in the environment and are able to convert the normal crops into GMCs. Consequently, these GMCs become part of a specific environment, without the knowledge of
Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs), are crops that have had an alteration in their genome. This is done when genes contained in the DNA, each of which determines the production of a specific protein, is inserted or removed from the crops (Kleter and Kok, 2010). In most cases, GMCs have genes inserted rather than have genes removed; hence, they are referred to as transgenes. It is clear that GMCs have a wide range of benefits to the ecological system as a whole. Two examples of such advantages include the higher yield of crops due to an insertion of genes resistance to diseases and pest, as well as medical benefits such as treating patients with diabetes by using an insertion with insulin (Tenbult et al., 2008).
Regardless of these given benefits, GMCs remain controversial. This controversy is a result of a growing uneasiness concerning the potential negative effects, which could result from exposure to GMCs. Such drawbacks include the health risks of allergies that a person can develop from inserted genes when fed with GMCs. In addition, the spread of transgenes into the wild affects the natural equilibrium balance, which in turn becomes problematic. As a result of the spread of transgenes, natural crops can be contaminated by this new hybrid crop. Measures taken to try and control the spread of transgenes include the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and environmental risk assessment procedures; however, these methods are not sufficient enough to mediate the unforeseeable negative effects that GMCs have on the environment.
The transfer of transgene by insect and/or wind can occur over a large range, which results in the transmission of transgenes to non-transgenic crops. This lies with the fact that these transgenes are dominant in the environment and are able to convert the normal crops into GMCs. Consequently, these GMCs become part of a specific environment, without the knowledge of