Question: Genetically modified organisms are beneficial to society

Things to consider:
Long term and short term
Agricultural, medical and industrial applications
Effect on biodiversity

Arguments For (Benefits) Arguments Against (Risks)

Greater production of food especially for The transgene in products may cause allergic
developing countries. This will allow these reactions
countries to produce enough food for their
population

Useful Resources
Biology textbook
https://classes.soe.ucsc.edu/cmpe080e/Spring05/projects/gmo/index.htm
http://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/arguments-gmos/#.WZTv3q17FE4
http://www.healthline.com/health/gmos-pros-and-cons#pros2
 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used in agriculture to improve crop yields and reduce
farming costs.
However the use of GM crops is a contentious issue, as economic benefits must be weighed
against environmental risks

GM Crops and Human Health

GM crops can be used to improve human nutritional standards, by incorporating genes for certain
proteins, vitamin or vaccines
Additionally, GM crops can be manufactured that lack common natural allergens or toxins
However, the inclusion or removal of certain genes could trigger unexpected adverse health
reactions in some individuals
Currently, not all foods with GM components are labeled, making informed decisions of use
difficult for consumers

GM Crops and Economic Consequences

GM crops can include genes to enable them to grow in a wider range of environments (e.g.
drought / frost / salinity resistance)
GM crops can be manufactured to produce greater yields (crops can potentially grow larger and
faster)
GM crops can include genes which slow the rate of spoiling, leading to longer shelf lives for GM
foods
GM crops may possess resistance to certain viruses or produce toxins to pests (reducing need for
the use of pesticides)
Herbicide resistant crops can be used to allow for the easier killing of weeds (which compete with
crops for soil nutrients)
Overall, an improved yield, reduction in farming costs and ability to farm more land will provide an
economic benefit to farmers
However, patent protection allows biotech companies to restrict the use of seeds and force
farmers to pay high prices for use

GM Crops and Environmental Issues

The ability to farm a wider range of environments with GM crops will potentially reduce the need
for associated deforestation
Also, the generation of pest-resistant crops means that less chemical insecticides will be released
into the environment
However, GM crops could potentially reduce biodiversity in a region by competing with indigenous
plant life
Furthermore, proteins or toxins produced by GM crops could negatively affect certain organisms
within the ecosystem
Cross-pollination by GM crops could also result in the formation of herbicide-resistant weeds and
grasses
GM crops with pest toxins could also accelerate the evolution of resistant pest species

Bt Corn
Bt corn is a genetically modified maize that incorporates an insecticide producing gene from the
bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
This insecticide is lethal to certain types of larvae, particularly the European corn borer which
would otherwise eat the crop
Concerns have been raised that the spread of Bt corn may also be impacting the survival rates of
monarch butterflies
While monarch butterfly larva feed exclusively on milkweed, wind-borne pollen from Bt corn may
dust nearby milkweeds
Read through the following points and then determine if they are benefits or risks of GMOs.

Nutritional value of foods could be improved

(e.g. by introducing proteins, vitamins or vaccines)
Crops can be produced that lack known allergens
New trains could cause adverse health reactions
(e.g. new proteins may cause allergic responses)
Crops can grow in arid conditions for better yield
(e.g. by introducing drought resistant genes)
Crop may limit biodiversity of local environment
(increased competition with native species)
Cross pollination could lead to super weeds
GM crops may have longer shelf lives (less spoil)
Improve food supply/ agriculture in poor countries
(GM crops can be engineering for improved yields)
Patents restrict farmers from accessing GM sees
(biotech companies hold monopolies over crop
use)
Different governments may have conflicting
regulatory standards concerning safe usage
Reduces economic costs and carbon footprint-
less need for land clearing and pesticide usage