Humans have engaged in genetic manipulation for millennia, producing plant and a

Question

Humans have engaged in genetic manipulation for millennia, producing plant and animal varieties through selective breeding and hybridization that significantly modify genomes of organisms. Why do you think modern genetic engineering, which often entails introducing or modifying only one or a few genes, has met with so much opposition? Should some forms of genetic engineering be of greater concern than others? Explain. In your response provide a specific example from literature to support your stance.

Explanation / Answer

Indeed, the natural mode of genetic manipulation has been practised over long times, but these methods had to never face massive oppositions due to absence of any interference of human activity. Huge number of gene flow have been observed naturally which promote genetic manipulation among organisms. Since these processes relied solely upon the abilities of plants/animals to undergo genetic manipulation based upon their natural properties, they had huge acceptance and never faced any opposition.

On the other hand, the modern methodoloeis of genetic engineering are completely based upon manipulation of a very few, say one to five genes at a time. With the advent of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, scientist have triet to manipulate rarest of the genetic combinations, such as transfer of genes from insects to plants, transfer of genes from aquatic animals to bacteria and their overproduction etc. Many more such examples exist which clearly demonstrate the extent of genetic manipulation in un-related organisms. Although these genetically engineeiner organisms/plants have been tested in vitro, their long term safeties and efficacies are always questioned and undetermined. This is why, they have faced so much opposition globally that some of the very finelydesigned genetic organisms had be be reverted back from the market.

The other point of concern here is the effect of genetically engineered crops on human health, for example, BT brinjal. Some genetically modified crops which had been introduced in the market were definitely not tested for long term efficacies and any possible genetic reversions. Further, the possible effect of these crops on cross-pollination, environmental safety and soil protection have also been not tested. This makes a clear resistance from the masses towards some geneticallly modified organisms rather than other.

Thus, although modern techniques of genetic manipulation and engineering have advanced, the acceptance of these products still face resistance due to various biological/environmental reasons.

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