Genetics
What does it mean when a food product is genetically modified? Describe 3 characteristics of the food that may be modified (i.e, what do they change about the food?)When a food product is genetically modified, it means that in a laboratory plants or animals have been modified to enhance the most desired traits. These kinds of plants are called GM crops or genetically modified crops. These traits include such things as increased resistance to herbicides, or improved nutritional content. When doing this scientist use direct modification to DNA. In other words, Genetic engineering creates plants with the exact desired trait, with good accuracy. Like seedless watermelons or seedless grapes. Some characteristics of the food that may be modified include size, solids content, or resistance to certain viruses or fungi. List and explain 4 advantages of genetically modified food products.There are many advantages to genetically modified foods. Whitman writes one advantage would be Herbicide tolerance. For some crops, it is not cost effective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling, so farmers will often spray large quantities of different herbicides (weed killer) to destroy weeds, a time-consuming and expensive
Ø Frito-Lay FritosØ Kellogg's Corn FlakesØ Total Corn FlakesØ PotatoesØ Enfamil ProSobeeExplain the role of natural selection in pest resistance to chemical pesticides. Of course there are risks that come along with genetically engineered foods. List and explain 4 disadvantages of genetically modified food products. Just as some populations of mosquito's developed resistance to the now banned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned that insects will become resistant to Bt or other crops that have been genetically-modified to produce their own pesticides. The FDA has always done a decent job at securing our safety and I see no need to change that now. However, rice does not contain adequate amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. With Bt maize, the reduction in use of insecticides should result in less harm to beneficial insects. According to the case study, "Torn at the Genes". These super weeds would then be herbicide tolerant as well. However, others claim that the Bt toxin will travel through the food chain and kill beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybirds. Another risk as stated by Whitman is the reduced effectiveness of pesticides. List 5 foods that have been genetically modified or that use genetically modified ingredients. Who do you think should be responsible for controlling genetic engineering of food products and for ensuring that these methods of agriculture are safe for the consumer, the FDA or the geneticist who are developing the engineering techniques? Why?I think that the FDA should be responsible for controlling the genetic engineering of foods. Another risk indicated by the FDF is the possible loss of beneficial insects. Other introduced genes may cross over into non-modified crops planted next to GM crops.
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Acceptance Essays
