Save Florida Orange Research Paper

Can Genetic Engineering Save the Florida Orange? For the past decade, Florida’s oranges have been infested and starved by Asian citrus psyllids. They are invasive insects that feed on citrus trees and infests them, causing citrus greening. Due to its incredible ability to kill the infected trees, Florida’s $9 billion orange industry is in danger of being closed down. However, Erik Mirkov, a plant pathologist, has been researching on genetically modifying the oranges to contain some genes from spinach. He came across this idea by continuous trials with other viruses like tristeza. With the help of Spanish scientists, he discovered that spinach has several defensive proteins that attack bacteria and fungi. By his second and third generations of genetically modified trees, the orange trees were resistant to greening when put in a harsh environment covered with psyllids. …show more content…
These genetically engineered fish have been modified to glow green to pinpoint the locations of the pollutants in the body. In various products like plastics and female contraceptives, endocrine disruptors, chemicals that mimic sexual hormones, are found. This research was conducted by exposing the zebrafish to different levels of chemicals that affect estrogen and then they were examined to see which of the organs glowed or responded to the chemicals. Though research has already identified some of its effects of animals and humans, scientists were unable to track its route throughout the body. However, by examining the genetically engineered zebrafish, researchers have been able to confirm that bisphenol A is linked to heart problems. Additionally, the zebrafish have shown chemical activity in the eyes and skeletal muscles. Though the relation between these areas and the chemicals are still unknown, this is a significant advance in identifying the thresholds the chemicals