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Genetic engineering and plant gene mutation is the most widely researched topic, underway in developing new crops, which are better resistant to pests and give more produce per hector. There are two school of thoughts, one in favors and the other warning of imminent complications on ecosystem and environment.
Genetic engineering a term defining the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid molecules, in order to modify an organism or population of organisms. Britannica
It has long history of development, the term included both artificial selection and interventions of biomedical techniques, developing into recombinant DNA technology also termed as gene cloning in 1996, and the current more sophisticated technology of gene editing (CRISPR) in early 21st century.
While majority of recombinant DNA technologies involved the insertion of foreign genes into the plasmids of laboratory strains of bacteria, CRISPR involved the correction of genetic errors associated with disease in animals and plants making them more resistant to diseases and can also enhance the yields. Both the technologies have been successfully used in development of a number of beneficial products, including synthesis of insulin, HGM, and a number of other vaccines in humans and a variety of disease resistant crops.
Despite of huge theoretical benefits claimed by biotech companies, the genetic engineering remains as one of the greatest debatable subjects of current time.
Currently, up to 90 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as are 91% percent of soybeans, and this is growing fast with other crops as well. The crops currently approved and being harvested are
- Alfalfa
- Apple (ArcticTM varieties)
- Canola
- Corn
- Cotton
- Eggplant (BARI Bt Begun varieties)
- Papaya (ringspot virus-resistant varieties)
- Pineapple (pink flesh varieties)
- Potato (pdf)
- Salmon (AquAdvantage®)
- Soybean
- Squash (summer)
- Sugarbeet
More experiments are underway for majority of crops and vegetables, including barley, wheat, rice and other base fields, and nearly all vegetables and fruits are being actively researched for increasing yield per hector and better shelf life.
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are claimed to improve yields, enhance a variety of nutritional values, longer shelf life, resistant to drought, and more strong against insect pests. Yet majority of scientists agree that these genetic modified crops are harmful for the environment.
- Their potential to create new weeds by cross pollination with their wild relatives, or simply by persisting in the wild themselves.
- GM crops can have negative impact on non-target insects thus reducing their population and hence endangering their extinction.
- There is also hypothetical evidence of insect resistance to the hybrid crops by mutation and the new strains can be more devastating.
- DNA from an allergen used for genetic mutation or correction is believed to be creating allergic reaction on consumption by humans.
- Some researchers have expressed concerns about genetic changes as they can lead to cancer and other complications.
- Disruption of biodiversity is also one off the potential risk of GM foods, since it favors some insects while resistant to others.
Genetic mutation either by correction or recombinant DNA technology, despite of being widely used, is still under experiments, the long term effects are unknown. About 40% of beneficial insects (more than 500,000 species) are already on verge of extinction in next couple of decades, evident by about 41% decline in last 10 years only, according to a research published in Biological Conservation. This decline and evident extinction, will have overwhelming impact on our ecosystem and diversity of plants. The global warning issues are further complicating this scenario, with changes in temperatures and resource water.
A greater control over the genetic modifications is the need of time. Despite of some basic rules and criteria defined by WHO, FDA and other organizations, the control is virtually weak in controlling the widespread use of GM seeds being used for major crops. Third world countries are especially at risk, where the seeds are being imported for better yield and resistance without any quality checks. In long term this might severely damage the local ecosystems to the point of no return.
