Gene technology and its applications

Gene Technology

Genetically Modified Crop Plants

The term genetically modified organisms, popularly referred to as GMOs, constitute crops, animals and even microorganisms that have undergone development my man and technology. Through the great leaps man has developed in technology, it is now possible to 'create' organisms and plants through the combination of genes considered superior, resistant and quick-maturing. Farming and animal rearing land brings a challenge in the current world, due to population explosions. This trend has been brought about by the necessity to feed the ever-increasing food demand by world populations.

The world today carries over six billion people, a number that increases every day. The natural means of plant reproduction cannot support to feed this population due to the long time taken to grow to maturity, poor yields and the limited space for planting. Therefore, genetic modification has gained an edge in the development of such crops as maize, soya beans, peanuts, wheat, barley and a variety of fruit trees. The advantages of these genetically modified plants ensure that most of the people do not go hungry.

The genesis of GMP (Genetically Modified Plants) involves the selection of healthy and high yielding plants and processing them in specialized plant laboratories to attain the desired quality of plants. The process involves the extraction of high performance genes from healthy crops, separating them from unhealthy ones and eventually binding them, together with other pre-extracted genes of the same plant, to produce desired results.

The genetic combinations require that proper sequencing of genes get done to ensure fertile plants arise. Due to human, technological and wrong coding, laboratory mistakes have led to unviable plants getting produced. For positive results, procedures dictate that proper and sequential gene combinations need observance during production. Proper genetic sequences require that the personnel doing the job need to have extensive and applicable genetic understanding.

As such, the personnel need to have professions grounded in crop biology, normally referred to as botany. A succinct understanding of genes, genetic make-up of plants, plant DNA, chromosomes and the processes of cell reproduction, majorly meiosis and mitosis, provide enough basic understanding of genetic engineering. The production of genetically modified organisms, plants included, gets done through the genetic engineering and biological principles.

In genetic engineering, biological, scientific and genetic engineers modify crops to the specifications of a given area (Whitman, 2000). In areas prevalent to drought, the crops developed get modified to acquire extra drought resistant qualities to promote their survival, growth and high yields in drought prone areas. On the other hand, areas prone to plant disease attacks necessitate the development of crops resistant to diseases. The area-specific scenario in the development of crops points to a case where area specifications serve as an indicator as to what type of crop modifications need development.

Social and ethical implications

The introduction and continued consumption of genetically modified plant have led to the development of allergies in some susceptible individuals. Socially, this has led to communities and other social set-ups to oppose the genetically modified plant foods. For example, the genetically modified peanut in European and U.S. markets triggered allergenicity in children (Whitman, 2000). Further, the incorporation of new genes from the Brazil nuts in peanuts had to get stopped due to fears of development of allergies.

In the same way as the rapid growth of genetically modified plants occurs, most societies think that this trend may trigger cancerous growths in people. The introduction of foreign genes into plants tends to raise fears that the genes may incorporate themselves into the human system, thereby affecting the normal functionality of the body. According to a publication in Lancet, rats fed on genetically modified potatoes acquired a different gut system as compared to those on natural potatoes (Whitman, 2000). As such, some people harbor fears that the same bodily modifications may occur with humans.

Another social implication may involve the stopping of certain communities from growing food of their own choice. This may arise due to zoning of areas for production of certain crops and plants. According to Conway (Conway 2000), the proliferation of genetically modified plants may prevent farmers from developing their own seedlings well adapted to their areas of occupation. As a result, this may lead to a wipe-out of indigenous plants and crops.

The plant kingdom exhibits greater biodiversity as compared to animals. The introduction and large scale cultivation of single genetically modified plants may lead to extinction f some lesser plants. This may create a 'vacuum' within ecosystems, thereby rendering them vulnerable to further ecological complications. Therefore, uncontrolled, unplanned and unregulated cultivation of genetically modified plants may affect the environment negatively.

Personal viewpoint

The ever increasing world population and the dependence on the constant resources available refer to a scenario where, in the near future, the earth may not support the large number of people. This prompts turning to technology to make the situation more bearable by providing alternative means of feeding the populations of the world. Therefore, the introduction of genetically modified plants provides an avenue to the realization of this objective. So in my opinion, GMPs provide the food cover the earth can no longer provide.

The earth has provided support for a long time, thereby losing a majority of the essential minerals required in body growth and development (McMichael et al. 2000). As a result, plants that grow naturally tend to contain diminishing amounts of these essential minerals. In my opinion, the advancement of technology and the production of genetically modified plants provide an opportunity to fortify plants with these depleted minerals. The world over, governments have taken up the initiative of food fortification for better health; therefore, GMPs acquire a plus in this area.