Genetically Modified Organisms: Impact on an Ever-Increasing World Population.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Impact on an Ever-Increasing World Population.

According to the FDA, for thousands of years, scientists have worked hard at improving crops, livestock, and hence the food humans eat. When, in1866, the Austrian Monk Gregor Mendel cross-bred two different types of peas and recognized the basic process of genetics, he not only started what is today known as genetic modification, but some researchers say he even predicted a day when humans would need to alter the genetic composition of plants to increase the food supply for the increasing population on earth. In the years after Mendel’s huge discovery, scientists found a way to modify food through DNA modification or change more precisely. This is called genetic engineering. This process of changing the DNA produces genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are some of the most significant and controversial scientific predictions that have come true in recent decades—the concept of genetically modifying organisms to enhance specific traits or create new varieties.

The experiments that laid the foundation for genetic engineering techniques were started by scientists like Paul Berg in the 1970s, but researchers like Stanley Cohen and Hebert Boyer facilitated the breakthrough in current-day GMO technology. They experimented with manipulating genes in the laboratory. Advancements made in the 1980s in biotechnology allowed scientists to isolate, modify, and insert specific genes into organisms, creating the first genetically modified organisms.

Applications to Agriculture

Prediction & outcome

Scientists and researchers predicted that genetic engineering could revolutionize agriculture by creating crops with desirable traits, such as resistance to pests and diseases and improved nutritional content. Genetically modified crops, such as insect-resistant Bt cotton and soybeans that are herbicide-tolerant, were developed and became commercially available in the 1990s. They were genetically engineered to express proteins that protected them from insects or made them resistant to herbicides. These became money savers for farmers. The need for chemical pesticides and herbicides was significantly reduced, leading to higher yields and decreased production costs.

Applications to medicine.

Prediction & outcome

Genetic engineering in producing valuable pharmaceuticals and medical treatments through the creation of genetically modified bacteria and organisms was predicted by scientists. GMOs have been instrumental in producing medications, vaccines, and insulin. For example, genetically modified bacteria are used to produce insulin for diabetic patients. Genetic engineering has also led to the development of genetically modified animals for medical research, providing insights into human diseases and potential treatments.

 Two significant forces that impacted the success of GMOs.

Scientific Innovation and Technological Advancements:

Scientific innovation, often driven by curiosity and a desire to solve real-world problems, fueled the progress in genetic engineering. As researchers gained a deeper understanding of the genetic code and molecular processes, they could engineer organisms more precisely. The progress and advancement in molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology provided the foundation for genetic engineering and GMOs. Breakthroughs and technological advancements such as the discovery of DNA's structure, the invention of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the development of gene sequencing techniques enabled scientists to understand, manipulate, and transfer genes from one organism to another.

Economic and Agricultural Pressures

Economic demands and challenges in agriculture, including the need for increased food production, pest resistance, and sustainable farming practices, played a significant role in driving the adoption of genetic engineering and GMOs. With a steadily increasing world population, there was a growing need for more food. Traditional agricultural practices faced challenges such as crop loss due to pests, diseases, and harsh weather conditions. Genetic engineering offered solutions to these problems by creating crops that were resistant to pests, diseases, and herbicides.

 

References

Rangel, G. (2015). From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology  https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/from-corgis-to-corn-a-brief-look-at-the-long-history-of-gmo-technology/

Tamura, R., & Toda, M. (2020). Historic Overview of Genetic Engineering Technologies for Human Gene Therapy. Neurologia medico-chirurgica, 60(10), 483–491. https://doi.org/10.2176/nmc.ra.2020-0049.

The USFDA (2023). Science and History of GMOs and Other Food Modification Processes. https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/science-and-history-gmos-and-other-food-modification-processes