Genetically modified organism (GMO) is a type of organism which has altered DNA or genetic material as a result of various genetic engineering techniques. As the organism has transformed genetic material which does not occur naturally through mating or recombination, the DNA is generally taken from other species such as plants, animals or any sort of other virus. Genes are usually altered by inserting genetic material into an organism without natural breeding, reproduction or mating. This results in the development of genotypes which could never exist in nature and additional benefits for the production of food, vegetables, and plants.

GMO is a new technology which has gone through great scientific breakthroughs and research in order to get productive, nutritious, and healthy food. Although there are some pros and cons of GMOs, the approach can help in achieving higher yield with less use of fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, it also speeds up the production and development process of the plant life cycle, which has now become essential to meet the growing food requirements.

Pros of GMOs

Genetically modified foods have proven to be safe and healthy for daily consumption. Although some people think that GMO pros and cons can result in future health-related issues, most of the vegetables and foods brought into the market are grown from the similar process. To help our readers in this regard, we have briefed the pros and cons of GMOs.

1. For Plants

• Insect Control
  Growing plants and vegetables in the presence of pesticides is a complex task for farmers. By using appropriate pesticides and insect control procedures, farmers are able to receive a productive crop yield at the end of the growing season. Genetically modified plants are resistant to unexpected diseases because the vaccine is programmed into the genetics, allowing them to grow without any hazards. Moreover, genetic engineering techniques are also being used to develop edible plant vaccines, which will help to immunize people against various infections and diseases.

• Nutrition benefits

Genetically modified foods are designed to have a higher nutritional value compared to plants which develop naturally. Having better taste and quality, the process can also be used to add desired colors and eliminate seeds in order to make the end product healthier. This technique is helpful for countries having limited resources and unsuitable environments to completely let the plants grow on their own. Furthermore, GM foods can be combined with essential vitamins and minerals to avail better nutritive benefits, as well.

• Better food quality and higher productivity

Apart from nutrition and health benefits, GMOs are considered as the perfect way to increase crop yields without compromising on quality. As they can be nutritional and bring extra health benefits, genetically modified foods can also be designed to grow in challenging environments. Having better resistance against pests and insects, farmers can receive a greater crop yield at the end of each season. With the increasing human population, GMOs are the only source to boost food production with our existing resources for which no hard efforts are required.

Furthermore, the genetically modified plants and food have a higher shelf life as compared to naturally grown plants. With these pros of GMOs, organizations can supply fresh food in different parts of the world without the risk of their products being damaged or destroyed. GMO products are made to have better flavor, texture, and nutritional value which makes it the best way to feed the world without any health risk.

2. For Animals

• Production of human drugs and vaccines

With the advancements in medical sciences, the process of producing drugs and vaccines has received a great change. GMOs are now being used in the creation of human insulin, which will eliminate the need to obtain insulin from external sources. Furthermore, transgenic animals are also being used to test new medicines for various diseases, helping pharmaceuticals obtain a better cure for each problem.

• Production of replacement organisms

In order to meet the increasing demand for replacement organs, the creation of neo-organs is now made possible through genetic engineering. The regeneration of new tissues is done by injecting a growth factor through a tissue injector, which promotes organ growth, as well. Furthermore, the process is modified for Xenotransplantation by creating animals to donate replacement organ donors in the future.

• Improved disease resistance and extended life

Animals which are created with the genetic mutation have greater capabilities and resistance to survive diseases. As it delivers improved disease resistance and a higher growth rate in animals, a GM salmon or SM chicken is more likely to become heavier as compared to those who are born through natural reproduction. Furthermore, GMO pros also allow farmers to avail tailormade animals for desired traits to achieve a higher production of dairy and meat.

Cons of GMOs

2. In plants

• Allergies

Although genetic engineering has brought great improvements in plantation and growth of crops, the procedure is reported to cause allergies and health concerns in some cases. GMOs containing proteins from Brazil nuts were proved to cause an allergic reaction amongst people who were allergic to the products made out of the specific item.

• Antibiotic resistance

GMOs are comprised of antibiotic-resistant genes, which allows the crops to become stronger and productive. Although there are no confirmed reports for the development of antibiotic resistance in genetically modified plants, the process can lead to the promotion of unwanted bacteria, as well.

• Environmental damage

There are several environmental issues which are linked with the presence of genetically modified organisms. As they reduce the biodiversity of ecosystems, the GM seeds are also reported to harm marine life, amphibians, insects, and birds. Moreover, the chemicals present in GMOs are also impacting the stability of water, leading to health hazards amongst human and marine life.

• Seed sales

Due to the increasing demand of GM seeds, there has been a great seed monopoly in the market. As they are a patent product, the purchasers of GM seeds are supposed to sign an agreement to use the seeds and not to sell further to other growers. This causes local farmers to spend more money as they will not be able to save seeds to be planted the next year.

3. In animals

• Unforeseen adverse effects

GMOs bring many negative impacts on the life and growth of the animals. Although we can achieve benefits in terms of milk and meat productivity, GMOs can certainly cause adverse effects on the health and development of the animals. Any sort of random mutation can deliver the irreversible loss to the organs and life of the genetically modified animals.

• Risk of misuse

When studying about the pros and cons of genetic mutation, we must also make sure that the information regarding such techniques should never reach into the wrong hands as it can result in improper cloning of plants and animals.

• Expensive

Genetic mutation is a process which requires extensive research, testing, and implementation. This is all possible if the pharmaceutical companies agree to spend the required amount, unless the funding has been done by the government.

• Unethical

Modifying of genes and DNA of animals to create a transgenic offspring is against the moral ethics. As per the animal rights and regulations, modifying DNA make up is absolutely a violation of animal rights and must not be performed without authorization.

Summary

Genetically modified organisms have brought a major change in the growth, development, and production of both plants and animals. Although the pros and cons of GMOs are equally balanced, the technology has brought a great impact on all of our lives, as well as for the future generations. As this is the new form of technology, there is still much room for research and development, which will surely bring a great reform.