Module 6: Genetically modified organisms

Question 1

Why is genetically modifying crops useful?

Answer 1

it can lead to crop varieties that are resistant to insects and herbicides , reducing competition between them and insects which allows for higher yields

Question 2

Give 2 advantages of using genetically modified crops

Answer 2

involves less labour than traditional herbicides and pesticides
also cheaper than traditional herbicides and pesticides

Question 3

What do herbicide resistant crops allow the use of ?

What benefits does having insect resistant crops bring?

Answer 3

herbicides to kill surrounding weeds without damaging the crop , increases crop yield

prevents them being killed by insects which increases crop yield and also removes need for purchasing and use of pesticides which is damaging to the environment

Question 4

Give 4 disadvantages of using genetically modified crops

Answer 4

-they encourage monoculture which reduces biodiversity
-herbicide resistant crops may cross breed with wild plants making resistant weeds
-loss of traditional crop varieties reduces genetic diversity making species more vulnerable to disease
-non target insects could be harmed by toxin coded for by insect resistant crops

Question 5

Give 3 advantages of genetically modified animals
(give an example for each)

Answer 5

-improved quality eg enhancing disease resistance
-improved quantity eg enabling year round production
-improved productivity eg faster growth

Question 6

Pharming involves what?

What does this process allow?

Answer 6

production of pharmaceuticals and human medicines by inserting human genes into other animals

allows extraction of these pharmaceutical proteins from genetically modified animals at high yields

Question 7

Give 2 advantages and 1 disadvantage of pharming

Answer 7

-enables mass production of rare treatments
-makes drugs more accessible

-raises animal welfare concerns (leads to view that animals are solely commodities)

Question 8

What is the main application of genetically modified microorganisms?

Answer 8

they can be used to develop new treatments for diseases through processes such as genetically modifying pathogens

Question 9

Give 4 advantages of genetically modified pathogens

Answer 9

-they can provide treatments for diseases originally thought to be incurable
-can produce essential medicines , antibiotics and enzymes
-they are useful in creating vaccines
-they facilitate creation of DNA libraries for research

Question 10

Give 3 disadvantages of genetically modified pathogens

Answer 10

-there is a risk of accidental infection and disease outbreak
-there is a danger that the pathogens could revert back to their harmful form
-they could be misused in biological welfare