Global Journal of Life Sciences and Biological Research
Open Access

Conflict over Genetically Modified Organisms

Sandre Seria^{* *}Correspondence: Sandre Seria, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, Email:

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About the Study

Any organism whose genetic makeup has been changed through genetic engineering methods is referred to as a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). A genetically modified organism is one that has undergone changes that "do not occur spontaneously by mating and/or natural recombination," according to the most widely used definition of genetic engineering. Genetically Modified (GM) organisms include a wide range of species, including microbes, plants, and animals. Within the same species, between species, and even between kingdoms, genes have been transported. Endogenous genes can be strengthened, changed, or cancelled off in addition to new genes being added.

A genetically modified organism must go through several steps to be created. A promoter and terminator region, as well as frequently a selectable marker, must be added to the gene that genetic engineers seek to implant into the host organism. The isolated gene can be inserted into the host genome using a variety of methods. The creation of GMOs has become significantly easier thanks to recent developments in genome editing technologies, particularly CRISPR. In research, food production, industrial protein purification (including medicine manufacture), agriculture, and art, bacteria have been exploited since they are the simplest species to design. They may be used as medicines or for environmental objectives. Fungi were created with similar intentions. Viruses are crucial tools for introducing genetic material into other organisms. Particularly pertinent to human gene therapy is this use.

There are plans to make vaccinations by removing the virulent genes from viruses. Plants have been modified to deliver vaccines, produce new colors in plants, conduct scientific study, and produce improved crops. Despite having the most positive effects on human health and the environment, genetically modified crops remain the most contentious GMOs in the public eye. Most are created with herbicide tolerance or pest resistance in mind. Three genes that boost the nutritional value of golden rice have been added through genetic engineering. GM crops could also be used as bioreactors to create biopharmaceuticals, biofuels, or pharmaceuticals.

Animals are typically much more difficult to alter, and for the most majority, research is still in its early stages. Because mammals make the ideal model organisms for studying human biology, developing therapies for significant human diseases depends on creating genetically modified versions of these animals. Compared to proteins expressed in plants or microbes, human proteins expressed in mammals are more likely to resemble their natural counterparts. Improvements to livestock are made with the goal of enhancing economically significant qualities like growth rate, meat quality, milk composition, illness resistance, and survival.

Controversy

GMOs are controversial, particularly in light of their introduction outside of laboratory settings. Consumers, producers, biotechnology firms, governmental authorities, nongovernmental organizations, and scientists are all parties to the argument. Many of these worries are related to Genetically Modified crops, including whether the food they produce is safe and what effect their cultivation would have on the environment. These controversies have sparked legal action, protests, and debates over international trade, as well as the restrictive regulation of commercial products in some nations. The impacts of GMOs on human health and the environment are of most concern. These include the possibility of an allergic reaction, the possibility of transgenes migrating to human cells, and the possibility of genes not deemed safe for human consumption crossing over into the food chain. There is scientific agreement that currently accessible food made from GM crops does not represent a greater risk to human health than traditional food, but that each Genetically Modified product needs to be examined individually before being released. However, the general population is significantly less inclined than scientists to believe that GM foods are safe. The legal and regulatory status of genetically modified foods varies by nation, with some prohibiting or limiting them while others allowing them with varying levels of restriction.

A decline in biodiversity, an increase in secondary pests (pests that are not addressed), and the emergence of resistant insect pests are some other environmental and agronomic challenges.

The total biodiversity of insects has increased and the effect of secondary pests has decreased in parts of China and the US where Bt crops are grown. When best practice strategies are used, resistance was observed to develop slowly. The technology has been blamed for accusations that scientists are "playing God" and other theological problems. Human genetic engineering has made ethical questions about how far this technology should be utilized-or even whether it should be used at all-possible. Where to draw the boundary between therapy and enhancement and whether or not the changes should be passable through generations are hotly contested topics. Other issues include the contamination of the non-GMO food supply, the strictness of the regulatory framework, the concentration of power over the food industry in the hands of firms that produce and sell genetically modified organisms, the exaggeration of the advantages of genetic modification, or issues with the use of herbicides containing glyphosate. The patenting of life and the use of intellectual property rights are other issues that have been brought up. Consumer approval of GMOs varies greatly, with Europeans less likely than North Americans to be favorable toward Genetically Modified food. Due to recent food catastrophes like bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other scandals involving government regulation of products in Europe, public confidence in food safety was low when genetically modified organisms first appeared on the scene. This has been quite effective in preventing or limiting the adoption of GM crops, along with efforts launched by numerous Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO).