genetically modified plants Flashcards
(21 cards)
outline a positive issue relating to the genetic manipulation of microorganisms.
- used in industry and research (eg. medicine production - insulin)
outline 2 negative issues relating to the genetic manipulation of microorganisms
- pathogens could be a health risk in lab leak scenario
- concerns over manipulating pathogens to create bio-weapons
describe the benefits of insect resistance in GM soya beans.
- no need to use pesticides to increase yield - crop is already resistant
describe ethical concerns of insect resistance in GM soya beans
- non-pest insects + organisms that feed on insects may also be affected by toxins
- wider impact on ecosystem
name 7 useful characteristics that could potentially be genetically engineered into plants.
- pest resistance
- disease resistance
- herbicide resistance
- extended shelf-life
- growing conditions
- nutritional value
- medical uses
state benefits and risks of GM pest resistance in plants.
benefits:
- increased yield
- reduce amount of pesticide spraying - protects environment
ethical issues:
- non-pest insects + insect-eating predators could be damaged by toxins
- insect pests may become resistant to pesticides
state benefits and risks of GM disease resistance in plants
benefits:
- crop varieties resistant to common plant diseases can be produced - reduces crop loss
ethical issues
- transferred genes may spread to wild populations
state benefits and risks of GM herbicides in plants
benefits:
- reduce competing weeds - increases yield
ethical issues:
- biodiversity reduction
- fear of superweeds
state benefits and risks of GM extended shelf-life in plants
benefits:
- reduces food waste
ethical issues:
- reduce commercial value + demand for crop
state benefits and risks of GM growing conditions in plants
benefits:
- crops can grow in wider range of conditions
- eg. flood, droughts
state benefits and risks of GM nutritional value in plants
benefits:
- nutritional value is increased (eg. enhanced vitamin levels)
ethical issues:
- allergies to different proteins in the crops
state benefits and risks of GM medical uses
benefits:
- could be used to produced human medicines and vaccines
describe the concerns people have over patenting and technology transfer in GM crops.
- poorer farmers would often benefit most cannot afford to buy GM seeds
- cannot save GM seeds to grow again next year - must buy them again every year
describe 2 examples of GM farm animals for food production.
- swine fever - resistant pigs provide immunity to fatal infection
- faster-growing salmon - genes allow them to produce growth hormones all year round (grow to full size in half time of conventional salmon)
define pharming
use of GM animals/plants to produce pharmaceuticals
state two aspects of pharming
- creating animal models
- creating human proteins
describe creating animal models in the field of pharming
addition/removal of genes so animals develop certain diseases to model development of new therapies
describe creating human proteins in the field of pharming
- introducing human gene coding for medically required protein
give an example of creating animal models
knockoud mice have some genes deleted so they are more likely to develop cancer
give an example of creating human proteins
genetically modifying fertilised cows to produce desired human protein
state 5 ethical issues surrounding the use of pharming.
- should animals be genetically engineered to act as models for human disease?
- is it right to put human genes into animals?
- is it acceptable to put genes from another species into an animal without being certain it will not cause harm?
- do GM animals reduce them to commodities?
- is welfare compromised during production of GM animals?
