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Assignment 2: Gene Technology
The biotechnology I have picked out for this assignment is “Genetically modified crop
plants." This one interested me the most because it touches on a gray area on whether or
not that it is ethically appropriate to genetically modify (GM) a living organism. Some of
the topics I will be covering in this paper is the biological basis, social and ethical
implications, and my personal viewpoint on the matter. Hopefully, I will be able to provide
you with adequate information on whether or not this is either a good or bad thing for
society. I know with the rapid growth in human population, we need to ensure that our
future is secure via a viable food source.
The basis behind genetically modified crop plants is that it is a targeted and powerful
method process of introducing desirable traits into the organisms by way of recombinant
DNA technology (fda.gov, 2014). In other words, it means that any plants genetic material
has been modified or altered by using genetic engineering techniques. It involves the
mutation, insertion or deletion of genes. By genetically altering or modifying a plants
genetic makeup, it can allow that plant to more effectively prevent pest infestation. As I
mentioned earlier, with the growing number in human population, the need for food also
increases. Every year, an astronomical amount of crops are lost due to pest infestations.
If farmers are unable to produce crops, then that can cause a ripple effect because the cost
of crops will go up. This is due to the supply and demand principle that allows the prices to
either go up or down based on crop production. Eventually, if it gets to a point where
crops can’t be produce at the rate of the population growth, it could end up effecting a lot
of people. Another thing to factor in, is that farmers are using large amounts of pesticides
in order to get rid of pests, but the down fall of that is that we are consuming the food that
is now enriched in pesticide (benefitsof.com, 2014). To me, that is one huge advantage of
improving the techniques of genetically modified crop plants because scientists can resolve
all those issues so the crop would more “natural." It also accomplishes less time dealing
with weeds. Cultivating crops obviously requires a lot of time spent removing the weeds
that grow along with it. Another way the farmers are getting around this headache is the
