This report will explore the concept of genetic engineering. Write a research re

Question

This report will explore the concept of genetic engineering.

Write a research report on Genetic Engineering. Your report should address the following points:

1.) What is genetic engineering?

2.) Describe some current research that has been done in this area.

3.) What are the pros?

4.) What are the cons?

5.) Based on your results from #3 and #4, take a stance on this topic. Do you feel that genetic engineering should be banned? Why or why not?

In order to potentially receive full credit, you must provide detailed information. Be sure to properly cite any references used. Complete your report in the submission box below.

Explanation / Answer

enetically engineered food, also known as genetically modified (GM) food, comes from plants or animals that have had genes from other plants or animals inserted into them. Although humans have modified food plants and animals for many centuries by breeding, modern biotechnology allows the genetic make-up of living things to be altered directly, producing much quicker results. It also allows the transfer of genes between organisms that cannot breed with one another. The potential advantages include increased agricultural production, improved nutrition and better tasting foods. On the other hand, there are concerns about possible unexpected adverse health effects, environmental damage and commercial exploitation.

Genetic engineering may eventually bring advantages that are, as of 2012, at the speculative stage. There are also a number of concerns about possible adverse effects that as yet are not supported by any hard evidence; nevertheless, evidence may emerge in the future. It is a relatively new technology that may bring huge benefits, but that also has the potential for misuse. The pros and cons of genetically engineered food include the following:

Genetic modification of crops can produce varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing losses and lessening the dependence on pesticides. For example, a gene that gives resistance to a fungal infection in a wild plant can be inserted into a food plant that lacks this protection. The crop is then less susceptible to this disease.

Genes that give greater tolerance of stress, such as drought, low temperatures or salt in the soil, can also be inserted into crops. This can extend their range and open up new areas for food production.

Crops can be altered to make them grow faster, so that they can be cultivated and harvested in areas with shorter growing seasons. This again can extend the range of a food crop into new areas or perhaps allow two harvests in areas where only one is currently practical.

Plants and animals can be engineered to produce larger amounts of essential vitamins andminerals, such as iron, helping to solve nutrition problems in some parts of the world. They can also be altered to change the amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and saturated and unsaturated fats that they contain. This could lead to the production of foods designed specifically for a healthy diet for all consumers.

It may be possible to have plants and animals produce useful medicines and even vaccines, so that prevention and treatment of human diseases in some places can be achieved cheaply and efficiently through the diet.

Crops can be modified to be resistant to specific herbicides, making it much easier to control troublesome weeds. Farmers can simply apply the weed killer to a crop field, killing the unwanted plants and leaving the food crop unaffected. For example, GM oilseed rape

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