INTRODUCTION
Genetically modified organisms are a very controversial topic around the world. Primarily in the United States the debate is over whether they are safe as well as economically feasible to produce. There are many ways to look at this topic. First one must understand what a genetically modified organism is. After that, one must understand the advantages and disadvantages these organisms play. There are many advantages and disadvantages to genetically modified organisms. Some of the advantages are medicinal advancement and higher plant yields. Some of the disadvantages also fall within the medicinal and food areas. Also, one must take into account what society thinks about these and how genetically modified organisms work. With …show more content…
Many plants, animals and bacteria have been used to create different vaccines, including the Hepatitis B vaccine. There are also edible vaccines being created as we speak that will not need refrigeration and therefore can be sent to more remote locations than ever thought possible. (Goldbas, 2014) Another advantage is seen by genetically modifying animals to help with the research of disease and creation of pharmaceutical products. Animals are used to grow new tissues to aid in transplant purposes. ATRyn, a drug that is produced in goat’s milk, helps to reduce the amount of blood clots during both childbirth and surgery. This was also the first drug produced by a genetically modified animal to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Insects can also be modified. This is seen in the creation of malaria-resistant mosquitoes. Not only do these mosquitoes help to reduce the number of people infected with this disease, it also helps reduce the amount of pesticides needed to control these insects. This allows for less contact with deadly pesticides. Gene therapy can also be done by modifying viruses to implant genes to help alleviate certain diseases. This is mostly done for diseases caused by genetic disorders. Some of these include, Parkinson’s, cystic fibrosis, and even cancer. (Goldbas, …show more content…
Some of these are the risk of releasing of hazardous GMO viruses into the world. As for the disadvantages of gene therapy, most are ethical and philosophical rather than scientific. These include the fear of people creating designer children as well as unnaturally extending the human lifespan. (Goldbas, 2014) The disadvantages seen in plants can be seen in the knowledge that is still yet unknown to both society and science. The UN has established the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety, this provides GMO guidelines. These guidelines are:
"precautionary measures that employ countries to undertake in-depth testing based on sound understanding on scientific principles governing modified organisms, environmental impact assessment, health and safety risks as well as benefits and economic benefits before adopting the technology"(Goldbas, 2014) The biggest issue in the United States right now involving GMO’s is whether they should have to be labeled by producers. Many of the decisions around GMO’s in the United States are "a combination of unfounded allegations about the technology and purveyors, pseudoscience, and attempts to apply a strict precautionary principle" as stated by D. A. Goldstein a researcher for
Genetically modified organisms are a very controversial topic around the world. Primarily in the United States the debate is over whether they are safe as well as economically feasible to produce. There are many ways to look at this topic. First one must understand what a genetically modified organism is. After that, one must understand the advantages and disadvantages these organisms play. There are many advantages and disadvantages to genetically modified organisms. Some of the advantages are medicinal advancement and higher plant yields. Some of the disadvantages also fall within the medicinal and food areas. Also, one must take into account what society thinks about these and how genetically modified organisms work. With …show more content…
Many plants, animals and bacteria have been used to create different vaccines, including the Hepatitis B vaccine. There are also edible vaccines being created as we speak that will not need refrigeration and therefore can be sent to more remote locations than ever thought possible. (Goldbas, 2014) Another advantage is seen by genetically modifying animals to help with the research of disease and creation of pharmaceutical products. Animals are used to grow new tissues to aid in transplant purposes. ATRyn, a drug that is produced in goat’s milk, helps to reduce the amount of blood clots during both childbirth and surgery. This was also the first drug produced by a genetically modified animal to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Insects can also be modified. This is seen in the creation of malaria-resistant mosquitoes. Not only do these mosquitoes help to reduce the number of people infected with this disease, it also helps reduce the amount of pesticides needed to control these insects. This allows for less contact with deadly pesticides. Gene therapy can also be done by modifying viruses to implant genes to help alleviate certain diseases. This is mostly done for diseases caused by genetic disorders. Some of these include, Parkinson’s, cystic fibrosis, and even cancer. (Goldbas, …show more content…
Some of these are the risk of releasing of hazardous GMO viruses into the world. As for the disadvantages of gene therapy, most are ethical and philosophical rather than scientific. These include the fear of people creating designer children as well as unnaturally extending the human lifespan. (Goldbas, 2014) The disadvantages seen in plants can be seen in the knowledge that is still yet unknown to both society and science. The UN has established the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety, this provides GMO guidelines. These guidelines are:
"precautionary measures that employ countries to undertake in-depth testing based on sound understanding on scientific principles governing modified organisms, environmental impact assessment, health and safety risks as well as benefits and economic benefits before adopting the technology"(Goldbas, 2014) The biggest issue in the United States right now involving GMO’s is whether they should have to be labeled by producers. Many of the decisions around GMO’s in the United States are "a combination of unfounded allegations about the technology and purveyors, pseudoscience, and attempts to apply a strict precautionary principle" as stated by D. A. Goldstein a researcher for