Question

The Synthetic Future Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are not new. According to the USDA, in 2009, 93 percent of soy, 93 percent of cotton, and 86 percent of corn grown in the United States was GMO. However, in 2010, life on earth as we currently understand it, changed. By inserting com- puter-designed genetic material into a bacterial cell, scientists created an entirely new strain of bacteria, a new life form, the world's first synthetic cell. In announcing his creation, scientist Craig Venter called it the first life on earth "whose parent was a computer"6 1. Do you favor the creation of GMO crops? Defend your answer. 2. Do all GMO products need to be labeled as such? 3. Are we really ready for a life form whose parent is a computer? 4. What precautions would you like to see put in place-perhaps a suicide gene implanted in these new life forms to assure us that they cannot survive outside the lab?

Answer 1

1. Genetically modified crops are those crops whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering .

I don't favour the creation of genetically modified crops because it causes many risks such as adverse health reaction , limit biodiversity and also is new to the field and still requires more researcha to be done .

2. Yes , foods with GM components need to be labeled .

3. No, we are not ready for a life form whose parents is a computer because it is not naturally made and has many side effects which would affect the health adversely .Genetic engineering is relatively new development that still requires copious amounts of research. It is unsafe and could easily get out of control if extra precautions are not taken.

Furthermore, findings on genetic engineering may be completely incorrect as research is still uncertain and young in development.