Topic Molecular Genetics
Subtopic Effects of Genetic Engineering
Article Grains of Hope by J Madeleine Nash, Time Magazine, 12 Feb 2001
Summary
This article was about two geneticists, Peter Beyer and Ingo Potrykus who created a new type of rice through genetic engineering (GM). This new type of Golden rice had beta-carotene, the nutrient that serves as a building block for vitamin A. This was one of the greatest inventions because in Asia, at least 1 million children weakened by vitamin A deficiency, would die every year and an additional 350000 would go blind. Potrykus saw his rice as a start of a new green revolution. Golden rice is the first compelling example of a genetically engineered crop that may benefit not just the farmers who grow it but also the consumers who eat it. The two scientists soon discovered, however, that giving away golden rice was not going to be easy. The genes they transferred and the bacteria they used to transfer those genes were encumbered by patents and proprietary rights.
How the new scientific finding/technology impacted (pros and cons) mankind
PROS:
1. Less people in Asia would die of vitamin A deficiency because of the new type of rice.
2. GE can “tailor made” food to show desirable characteristics. GM food generally looks and tastes good. And customers are more concerned with how the fruits look and taste than with whether they are transgenic or not.
3. GM crops can flourish with minimal use of chemical fertilizers and in dry land agriculture.
4. Diseases in plant can be prevented by detecting plants that are genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases using GE.
CONS:
1. Nature is an extremely complex inter-related chain consisting of many species linked in the food chain. Some scientists believe that introducing genetically modified genes may have an irreversible effect with consequences yet unknown. For example, in 1999 Cornell University entomologist John Losey performed a provocative, "seat-of-the-pants" laboratory experiment. He dusted BT corn pollen on plants populated by monarch-butterfly caterpillars. Many of the caterpillars died.
2. GE borderlines on many moral issues, particularly involving religion, which question whether the man has the right to manipulate the laws and course of nature.
3. The genes they transferred and the bacteria they used to transfer those genes in the grains were encumbered by patents and proprietary rights.
Reflection
I found the article interesting because I was fascinated by the scientists’ invention of golden grains using genetic engineering (GE). I did not know that genes can be modified in rice to produce a new type of Golden rice which had beta-carotene, the nutrient that serves as a building block for vitamin A which can save millions of human lives! This use of biotechnology, to solve problem started since early 80s, is becoming very popular with farmers.
Golden rice is a product of genetic engineering which critics called “Frankenfood”, commonly believed as unnatural and therefore unsafe. As such the Genetic Modified (GM) golden rice has its pros and cons. But I think that biotechnology is one of the best ways to solve food needs for the next 30 to 50 years as there will be over 9 billion people around the globe. It has been predicted that by 2020, the demand for grain will go up by at least half, both for human and animal consumption. Also, the need to conserve overstressed water resources and reduce the use of polluting chemicals, has make the production of crop an enormity of the challenge. Some environmental groups questioned the safety of GM food with concerns such as the introducing new allergens into foods, or contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. As such there are laws and regulations that require safety testing of any new organism produced for human consumption.
After reading the article, I feel lucky to know that there are smart scientists in the world who are doing research and inventing new GM food to improve production of crops. I have also decided to change my perception on GM food because I think that it can save many people’s lives. With GE, there would not be a shortage of food anymore because even if there’s a drought going on or if there’s a disease, the plants can be genetically modified accordingly to grow well. Now I know there is an occupation known as a geneticist which I can aspire to be then I can create GM food to save millions of lives.
Glossary
- Genetic Engineering: It is a technique used to transfer genes from one organism to another.
- Biosphere: The part of the earth’s crust, water and atmosphere that supports life.
- Transgenic: Being or used to produce an organism or cell of one species into which one or more genes of other species have been incorporated
- Genetic Modified food: food derived from genetically modified organism
- Gene: A hereditary factor borne on a particular locus in a chromosome. It controls a particular characteristic.
References:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food
- http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm
- http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,98034,00.htm
- Lam P. W. GCE 'O' level Biology Matters, Printed 2009
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_engineering
- Ho P. L. In Science Volume 2
