Genetic modification: methods, applications, and implications

Genetic Modification

The desire to control outcomes and determine destiny is ubiquitous within the human family. From the sailor to the artist there is a clear need to control the outcome of highly unpredictable processes. Genetic modification is another attempt to control outcomes. The challenge however is that while at present it appears that the technology has provided sublime and complete control. Nature is highly unpredictable and at a moment's notice the unintended consequences of human action can produce a trail of undesirable results. This essay considers genetic modification of plant and animal organisms. The technology that has gotten us to this point may be inadequate to address future challenges.

Genetic modification (GM) refers to technology that was created about 30 years ago (How it is done, 2002). The technology allows scientists to make changes to the characteristics of living organisms. These changes give new abilities or the capacity to produce new compounds to the modified organism. The modification occurs at the level of the genes of the organism and as a consequence, while it is a highly technical procedure it is beset with a limited measure of uncertainty as to the ultimate result of adding new genes to organisms.

Through genetic modification it is possible to generate plants, animals and microbes that possess very specific qualities. This designer organism is produced more efficiently and rapidly than the traditional approaches. The manner in which genes are transferred from one organism to another would be virtually impossible using the traditional breeding methods (G M. Basics, 2003). It should be noted that humans have always attempted to generate variety in plants and animals. So that over many generations through selected breeding specific characteristics become amplified in a particular breed of cattle to increase milk production or type of plant to gain a higher yield. This however involves the amalgamation of thousands of genes and is a very imprecise approach. Genetic modification can introduce specific genes and even turn undesirable genes off. It is a more specialized and technical process.

The procedure for genetic modification of organisms is a very complicated and involved process. How it is (2002) describes a simplified process for the introduction of genetic material into plants. The process contains six basic steps. Firstly the scientist identifies and isolates the gene that possesses the characteristic that will be introduced into the host plant (mapping). Following this several copies of the gene are produced. This process is termed polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The copied gene is subsequently transferred into the plants genes via plant tissue. A new plant is then produced from the tissue that has been modified. The scientist then determines that the gene functions in the manner it was predicted to function. The final step involves ensuring that the seeds from the plant also carry the gene.

The furor surrounding genetic modification is tremendous. There is a general sense that the science is sound but there is the possibility for unintended consequences. There is a belief that the technology is "a solution in search of a problem" (Lassen & Jamison, 2006, p. 8). Even among the most avid supporters of genetic modification caution is recommended. The supporters of genetic modification note the possible challenges but have determined that the benefits that can accrue to society are too great to ignore. The persons in this camp identify benefits such as disease resistant plants and plants that produce higher yield with less maintenance cost. They eagerly point to the advances in corn production and other spheres as evidence of the safety and viability of genetic modification.

There is also a median position where the benefits of the technology are acknowledged but these persons believe that greater testing in the laboratory should be undertaken before any products are released into the wild. In the extreme position there are some who believe that all testing is essentially man tinkering with God's work and it should not be done at all. The main concern for GM is the introduction of new genes into the food system for human consumption. It is believed that the result of that activity will cannot be know in the short-term and by the time it is determined that it was not a good thing to do the health of the human family would already be highly compromised. The debate also plays itself out in the controversy over labeling food as genetically modified (Klintman, 2002, p. 72).

Through GM we are consuming more modified food than before. At present there are a myriad of uses for the genetic modification process in the food industry. From tomatoes that are resistant to fungus, cows that produce more milk, insect resistant corn and cotton, herbicide tolerant soya bean and alfalfa, and virus resistant papaya (Lemaux, 2006 p.5). Thus the growth of GM technology has in the main been directed by the potential for financial income through the sale of specialized crops.