Environmental+Issues

//**GMO’s Environmental Issues**//



Monsanto is a pesticide industry that is driving out of business all the small farmers, Organic farmers are going out of business because the GMO pollen seeds drift over and pollute their crops. GE crops can pass on some characteristics to neighboring crops, stronger pesticides will be used. When someone takes a gene from one to another and transfer it from a new organism which could lead to less genetic diversity. ( Spaeth, M. 2008) Although gene flow is a naturally occurring process, some fear that the transfer of the genes of GMO might cause environmental problems. The environmental issues of concern include: the capability of the GMO escaping from its field and replacing the non GMOs. ( Arpad, P. 2001) The persistence of the gene after the GMO has been harvested; the stability of the gene; the reduction in the spectrum of other plants including loss of biodiversity; and increased use of chemicals in agriculture.  

GMOs may be able to reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes and food production like herbicide tolerance for innovative farming which could greatly reduce the chemicals needed for crop protection.  Reduction in the amount of land needed for agriculture, conservation of resources through use of less labor, fuel, fertilizer and water, water quality protection, and protection against plant diseases. Farmers are growing maize, cotton and potatoes that no longer have to be sprayed with the bacterial insecticide because they produce its insecticidal agent themselves. (Kunkel, M. E; Luccia, B 2004) Genetic modifications often give the GM crop a competitive advantage. When the genes from the GM crop leave the field in which they were planted there are plants that fill a similar niche with which they will compete, and because the GM crop has the advantage, they may take over. Crops can also be genetically modified to have built in antifreeze genes so they can be grown in cooler climates without freezing over. By genetically modifying rice, we have created golden rice, rich in Vitamin A. This rice is very affordable and grown in developing nations to keep impoverished population from going blind. Since medications are expensive scientist are genetically modifying foods to contain edible vaccines. Which makes vaccines easier to ship, store, and watch than needle-based vaccinations. Blindest and world hunger could be prevented with GM rice. Scientists are developing trees that have a lower content of lignin, a structuring constituent of woody plant cells. This could reduce the need for noxious chemicals in pulp and paper production. These developments could not only reduce environmental impact - they could also improve the health of farm and industrial workers.





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