The study of genetics has created a new industry, biotechnology. As the name indicates, it is a combination of biology and technology. Biotech companies specialize in many areas, one of which is agriculture. These companies are working to create seeds that give high yield. That in itself, sounds good, but that’s not all they are doing. These engineered seeds would also be resistant to diseases, drought, and frost. It all sounds good on paper, but many people have legitimate concerns about genetically engineered fruits and vegetables.
In nature, genetic diversity has its limits. A rose can be crossed with another rose to create a beautiful new species. A rose cannot in nature, be crossed with a fish. However, that is exactly what genetic engineering does. It takes a desired gene from one species and splices it with another to get the desired effect. For instance, having a crop like strawberries that can easily freeze in the winter can lead to the lack of strawberries at harvest time, this in turn can cause the price of strawberries to skyrocket. The answer? Take a gene from a cold water fish that has “anti-freezing” properties to it, and splice it in with the strawberry. In theory, this makes the strawberry more frost resistant, and now there is less worry about the loss of crops. That’s not all, it is now possible for plants to be engineered with genes to fight bacteria and viruses. Where do they get these bacteria and virus fighting genes? From animals, insects, and even humans. This new field of genetic engineering actually allows scientists to breach the wall between the species. In nature, plants, animals, and humans, all keep to their own species. How much do we really know about the future effects of all this? Is this even safe? We know that crossing some species, such as a horse with a donkey, creates the mule. The problem here is that the mule is always male, and always sterile. What if this begins happening to our food supply?
Genetically altered plants raise a host of new questions. What effects are they going to have on us? As you may know our bodies rely on the nutritional value of our food. Nutrition is what helps our immune system to defend itself from diseases. What type of nutritional value do genetically altered plans offer us?
Additionally, what effects will they have on our environment? These scientist are forging into the unknown with the great hope that nothing will go wrong, and very little idea of what the future outcome may be for humans or plants.
The power to manipulate life on a genetic level has great potential. Life saving cures for diseases and prevention of birth defects. Unfortunately, these genetic companies are more concerned with being first in a genetic race to patent the perfect seed, as well as other engineered organisms. Being one of the first, can lead to millions of dollars in their pockets. In the meantime, look at all the plant life that we are losing every day through extinction. We know that there is a wealth of untapped resources in the rainforests. Why not try to save what we have instead of recreating what we don’t really need?
Fortunately, some are looking ahead. In order to avert a potential global food disaster, some private institutions have set up “seed banks” to store the “natural” seeds. Hopefully we will never need them. However, if something goes terribly wrong with the biogenetically altered crops, maybe our great grandchildren will have the resources to start again.
Article by Kimberly Shannon – Providing nutritional research for better living. Visit: http://effective-immune-system-boosters.com/immune-system.htm for more articles and information on boosting your immune system.! |
