Biotech: Ethical Issues of Transgenic Organisms

Question 1

Superweeds

Answer 1

• Gene flow may occur from transgenic crops to related species, transferring the introduced gene to plants it was not intended for, such as weeds
• If the new gene is herbicide resistance, nuisance plants can now grow better and become a superweed
• This can also occur due to natural selection
• The transgenic organisms themselves may also become a pest, as their limiting factors are removed

Question 2

Harm to Animals

Answer 2

• It is often difficult to predict the effects a particular gene modification will have
• New phenotypes may cause negative impacts for the animal
• E.g. Increased eggs laid by chickens causes brittle bones due to the draw of calcium used to form egg shells or loss of muscle tone due to excessive egg laying, resulting in risk of prolapse.
• Procedures also often require invasive surgical procedures

Question 3

Decrease Genetic Variation

Answer 3

• Farmers plant a single crop with a desired gene inserted into its genome. This creates a monoculture.
• The favoured characteristic may help it to survive a specific factor, but the gene pool and genetic diversity is limited, meaning that their ability may be limited for surviving other environmental changes

Question 4

Impact on Non-Target organisms

Answer 4

• some organisms are engineered to produce toxins deadly to target organisms, and there is worry that pollinating, non-target insects may also be harmed
• Outcrossing: migration of genes from GM plants to conventional crops or related species in the wild, which could effect food security and food safety
• Concerns of gene transfer from GM foods to cells of the body, which could adversely affect human health

Question 5

Allergens and Toxins

Answer 5

• Insertion of a foreign gene could cause a change in the natural plant genes
• Allergens could be added into non-allergenic foods, increasing the rate of allergic reactions
• E.g. GM soybeans
• E.g. rice is often used to feed babies for its non-allergenic properties, but there is worry that recent genetic modifications could change that
• E.g. Bt cotton causes sterility in animals and allergic reactions in farmers