4.14 - Implications of Genetic Engineering and Selective Breeding Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the perceived benefits of genetic engineering in medicine?
It can be very useful in medicine to mass produce certain hormones in microorganisms (bacteria and fungi).
What are the perceived risks of genetic engineering related to GM crops?
GM crops might have an effect on wild flowers and therefore insects. This includes potential infertility in other species and reduced biodiversity.
How can genetic engineering improve agricultural yields?
By improving growth rates, introducing modifications for different growing conditions, and allowing plants to produce their own pesticides or herbicides.
What concerns do people have regarding GM crops and human health?
People are worried that we do not completely understand the effects of GM crops on human health.
How can genetic engineering help with nutritional deficiencies?
Crops with extra vitamins can be produced in areas where they are difficult to obtain.
What ethical concerns arise from genetic engineering in agriculture?
Genetic engineering in agriculture could lead to genetic engineering in humans, potentially resulting in designer babies.
How can greater yields from GM crops address global issues?
Greater yields can help solve world hunger, which is becoming an increasingly bigger issue due to population growth.
What ecological risks do GM crops pose?
They pose a selection pressure, which could lead to increased resistance in other species, creating super weeds and pests.
What is a benefit of selective breeding?
Selective breeding can greatly increase the yield of a particular crop by choosing individuals that produce higher quality or larger mass of food.
What is a disadvantage of selective breeding?
Selecting for advantageous characteristics can sometimes cause severe health problems in the offspring.
Give an example of a health problem caused by selective breeding.
Chickens bred for more meat may become too large to walk.
Example of health issues in selectively bred animals.
How can selective breeding affect disease resistance?
Individual plants or animals can be bred to be resistant to particular diseases, potentially increasing crop yield.
What is a risk associated with lack of genetic variation in selective breeding?
If one individual has susceptibility to a different disease, the entire population could be wiped out.
What are the ethical issues related to selective breeding?
Many consider it unethical to breed for human-desired characteristics if it results in suffering or reduced quality of life for the offspring.
