The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Manipulation

Humans have been operating the genetic sequences of organisms for thousands of years by choosing organisms with the characteristics that are desired. Genetic manipulation, also called genetic engineering or genetic modification, is the process of removing a desired characteristic gene from a plant and transferring it to another plant through biotechnology (Study.com, n.d.). This technique has emerged and is still in use due to crop improvement, human nutrition, plants as Bio factories and basic studies. Genetic engineering involves the transfer of genes from the same species and across species to produce improved or new organisms. Humans have used selective breeding or artificial selection to change the genomes of species for many years (Roots, 2007). More recently, the genome of species has been gradually altered by mutagenesis. Genetic engineering as a direct manipulation of DNA, external breeding and mutation by humans, which is a modern technique, has been produced since the 1970s (Zohary, Hopf and Weiss, 2012). There are lots of controversies between the pros and cons …show more content…
Although there are many dissenting voices, it does not reduce the requirement of genetic manipulation in plants. Unconstrained by gene pool, faster compared to traditional breeding and extend range of variation are the reason that GM is prevalent. One of the major issues which people pay attention is the rapid growth of global population. GM enable development of crops that can survive better such as herbicide resistant crops, insect resistant crops and drought tolerant crops. Thence GM offers a solution to our population time bomb. Genetically modified crops are successful and gradually gain affection as seen in figure