Genetic Modification

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Genetic Modification
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What is it?

• Genetic Modification is the chemical repair or
  change of a genes DNA.
• It is used to remove undesirable traits, add
  desirable traits, and introduce new
  characteristics in an organism.
• It is different from selective breeding, because
  it allows the transfer of genes between unrelated
  organisms and is much faster.

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How it works

• A cell with a desired gene is broken apart to
  extract the DNA
• Restriction enzymes break the DNA into individual
  genes.
• The gene is added to plasmids and put in
  bacteria. These bacteria are used to transfer the
  DNA into a new cell.

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Discovery

• 1972-The technology was first discovered in a
  American laboratory.
• 1991-Tomatoes were modified with an arctic
  flounder gene so that they would be more
  resistant to frost and cold storage.
• 1994-Tomatoes were genetically changed to grow
  square in shape and glow in the dark.
• 1999-Corn and cotton were engineered to produce
  pesticide to repel certain insects.
• 1999-Genes from daffodils and bacteria were added
  to rice to make it produce more beta-carotene,
  which is broken down into Vitamin A (Golden
  Rice).
• 2001-Tomatoes were modified to be salt resistant
  so that crops wouldnt be ruined. This also
  cleaned the soil around the plants.
• ????- Soybeans were genetically modified to
  produce an herbicide.

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Positives

• Tomato crops that dont freeze wont be killed in
  an unexpected frost.
• Salt resistant tomatoes can be grown in more
  diverse areas.
• Corn producing pesticides will keep away bugs
  that may destroy crops.
• Golden rice can help save people. A lack of
  Vitamin A is known to cause blindness or death.
• Soybeans producing herbicides will limit the use
  of dangerous pesticides.
• The only commercially grown GM crop, is BT
  cotton. It is resistant to specific insects. BT
  cotton has reduced the need for herbicides,
  saving the environment and the money of the
  farmers.

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Negatives

• Modifying plants will cause a loss of
  biodiversity.
• African countries dont want to be dependent on
  other countries for genetically engineered food.
• Plants producing herbicides may cause strains of
  superbugs or superweeds as a tolerance for the
  herbicide grows.
• 2008 years after the birth of Christ, the Vatican
  said that genetically modifying anything goes
  against God, and interferes with divine deeds.