Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

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Genetic engineering is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. The techniques involve sophisticated manipulations of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals. Genes are the chemical blueprints that determine an organism's traits. Moving genes from one organism to another transfers those traits. Through genetic engineering, organisms can be given targeted combinations of new genes—and therefore new combinations of traits—that do not occur in nature and, indeed, cannot be developed by natural means. Such an approach is different from classical plant and animal breeding, which operates through…show more content…
Hence, there is a question of this affecting the biodiversity and overall effect on the environment. b) The risk of transfer of transgene from genetically engineered crops to pathogenic microbes- Antibiotic marker genes are used to identify and select the modified cells. If GM food containing antibiotic resistance marker gene is consumed by animals and humans, there is a risk that the transgene will transfer from Genetically engineered food to microflora of human and animals. This may lead to the gut microbes to become resistant to antibiotics. c) The transfer of genes from animals into genetically engineered crops for molecular farming may change the fundamental vegetable nature of plants. d) The genetically engineered crops may bring about changes in evolutionary patterns. The plants adapt to the changing environment in the natural way by changing their genes and developing better races with superior traits which ultimately leads to the development of evolved races and varieties. There are concerns about the effect of transgene flow from genetically engineered crops to other non-GM plants and the alteration of these non-genetically engineered

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