Today we will be looking at genetically modified organisms aka GMOs. It is one of the most controversial aspects in Biotechnology.
GMOs have 30,000 years history (Rangel, 2015). Ancient human used GMO for selective breeding which is an artificial selection process. The recorded evidence that was found for GMOs is 7800 BCE. (Genetic Literacy Project, 2015).
Scientist discovered and isolated pure DNA in 1935. Professor Herbert Boyer recombined DNA in 1975 (Woolsey, 2012). This this the first creation of artificial gene. Ever since then, the debate has been focused on the effects and safety of GMOs on human, environment, and animals and never stopped. It has received a large amount of attention …show more content…
Selectively, it is adapted genes from another species to improve its own characteristics such as pests and herbicides resistance. One example of GMOs is glyphosate-tolerant crops.
Corp plants were inserted with herbicide resistance genes in to their DNA. This eliminates the effect from the herbicides to these plants but leaving the weeds unprotected. (Manjunath, 2015).
In 1994, Monsanto introduced glyphosate-tolerant crops using genetic engineering (Neves, 2016). Clyphosate stops the enzyme EPSPS makes aromatic amino acids. The Gene encoding EPSPS has been transferred from glyphosate-resistant E.coli into plants, this makes these plants resistant to herbicides (Manjunath, 2015).
This technique was quickly adapted and in fram industry over the world. It is a cost saving technology and to provide farmers with productivity improvements. It also reduces the herbicide required which is environment friendly.
However the benefits are in the short term, as the weeds targeted soon began to develop resistance to glyphosate (Neves, 2016). If new herbicides are developed, weeds will modify them self again, and the vicious cycle will repeat again. After long term, weeds will become very strong and dangerous (Neves,