Are Genetically Modified Crops healthy? What are the adverse effects of cultivating GM crop on environment and other species?
GM crops, or Genetically Modified organisms, are living organisms
whose DNA has been altered with genetic manipulation. GM crops range from
organisms such as bacteria and yeast to insects, plants, and even animals.
Genetically modified plants (GMP) are those genetically altered in order to
introduce an entirely new trait to the existing species. The idea behind GM is
that new strains of the plant can be introduced to an existing crop without
causing any adverse effects on the plant's DNA.
There are a number of advantages to GM crops. GM can help improve
the yield of a plant because of the ability to control the genetic traits. With
genetic manipulation, the GM crop can be engineered to withstand pests and
diseases which are common in the natural environment. The process of genetic
manipulation also allows for the ability to improve the nutritional value of
the plant.
Concerns have also been raised by the lack of understanding of the
genetic modification process. Despite many claims from the GM industry, the
real benefits of GM
crops are still unknown. Scientists have not yet discovered the true impact
GM can have on the environment or human health.
The benefits of genetic manipulation are also very limited
compared to other methods used in agriculture. There is no scientific evidence
to show that genetic manipulation can be an effective way of growing food. The
biggest drawback of genetic manipulation is that the plants grown through
genetic manipulation can be vulnerable to diseases and pests. These can range
from plant viruses, plant parasites, and bacterial and fungal diseases, all of
which pose a serious threat to the farmers.
Genetic engineering can also have the potential of causing
environmental damage because of the method in which the genes are introduced
into the plant. When GM crops are introduced, the plants' DNA is altered by
introducing foreign elements into them. The foreign genetic sequences can cause
changes to occur in the plants' DNA, altering their natural characteristics.
In addition to the potential of genetic destruction caused by
introducing foreign sequences, the introduction of GM plants can also have an
effect on the environment. Many countries around the world, including Europe,
have banned the use of GM crops because of the possible threat they pose to the
environment.
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