Genetic Pollution / GMO

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                                                     Genetically Modified Foods                 Areeba Mazher

            The essence of genetic engineering is taking a desired trait present in one species and inserting it into another species in order to enhance the overall value of that organism. Restriction enzymes can be used to “cut” the DNA molecule at the specific part containing the desired gene. This gene is to be inserted into the target organism’s cells, but a vector is needed. Cells naturally reject foreign DNA, so the only way to insert the gene is by invading the cell, a job that is well performed by bacteria and viruses. The desired gene is combined with DNA plasmids found in bacteria. These plasmids then replicate, thus replicating the gene, upon entering the host cell’s nucleus. Another method used to get the genetically engineered DNA across cell walls is by using a stream of electricity, which creates tiny holes in the cell wall. This leaves the cells vulnerable to infiltration by foreign DNA. The gene gun, yet another commonly used method, blasts particles of gold coated with the engineered DNA into the plant cells. Each of these methods needs a promoter gene which turns on the desired characteristics- this gene is often found in the cauliflower mosaic virus.

            There is no proper scientific evidence to show that genetically modified foods are safe. Research has shown, however, the potential environmental and health risks posed by GMOs. Genetically modified plants could cause unintended harm to the organisms they interact with; there is also the fear of a gene transfer to non-target species as a result of natural cross-breeding. Health risks include allergic reactions, but more worrisome are the unknown effects that GM foods could have on human health. One step that can be taken is the proper labeling of foods that have been genetically modified, so consumers are aware and can make their own food choices.

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                                                       Genetic Pollution                         Imad Ahmed

Genetically modified foods can have many different effects on the environment. Most of which are very harmful. Although about 50,000 species of genetically modified plants are harmless, only benefitting the environment; the rest have harsh, negative effects on the ecosystem. A few problems result in possible failure of all crops that are being grown. Genetically modified plants can leak proteins present in the transgenic plants, and cause the micro biotic life to become less diverse, resulting in the loss of soil health and unbalance the ecosystem. Species of genetically modified sunflowers have also been shown to have cross bred with nearby weeds, thus spreading the unwanted plants.

Aside from the transgenic plants harming other plants, they can also cause harm to other animals. Plants modified to resist pests affect the lives of other organisms also. For example, B.T. corn plants have a special toxin that wards off and kills corn boring pests, yet, in a study it has been shown that monarch butterfly larvae have had higher mortality rates and slower growth after eating plants with pollen carried from the mutated corn plants. The pollen carrying the toxins can fly to very far distances, and can change the lives of groups of animals.

            There are also arguments about whether genetically modified foods are safe for humans or not. No results have been shown yet, but no one knows about the possible long term effects that the plants can have on us. Research shows that 93 percent of pregnant mothers have B.T. toxins present in their blood, which could possibly lead to cancer in the babies, even before they are born. Plants resistant to other issues were shown to have changed nearby weed to become “superweeds”, which are resistant to even some herbicides.

            Small plants, many problems. These little mutants can devastate entire ecosystems, leading to totally unbalanced environments. With all these problems, many problems are still unknown, thus leading to controversies in the production of even more of the thousands of already produce transgenic plants.