genetically modified plants

Question 1

outline a positive issue relating to the genetic manipulation of microorganisms.

Answer 1

• used in industry and research (eg. medicine production - insulin)

Question 2

outline 2 negative issues relating to the genetic manipulation of microorganisms

Answer 2

• pathogens could be a health risk in lab leak scenario
• concerns over manipulating pathogens to create bio-weapons

Question 3

describe the benefits of insect resistance in GM soya beans.

Answer 3

• no need to use pesticides to increase yield - crop is already resistant

Question 4

describe ethical concerns of insect resistance in GM soya beans

Answer 4

• non-pest insects + organisms that feed on insects may also be affected by toxins
• wider impact on ecosystem

Question 5

name 7 useful characteristics that could potentially be genetically engineered into plants.

Answer 5

• pest resistance
• disease resistance
• herbicide resistance
• extended shelf-life
• growing conditions
• nutritional value
• medical uses

Question 6

state benefits and risks of GM pest resistance in plants.

Answer 6

benefits:
- increased yield
- reduce amount of pesticide spraying - protects environment
ethical issues:
- non-pest insects + insect-eating predators could be damaged by toxins
- insect pests may become resistant to pesticides

Question 7

state benefits and risks of GM disease resistance in plants

Answer 7

benefits:
- crop varieties resistant to common plant diseases can be produced - reduces crop loss
ethical issues
- transferred genes may spread to wild populations

Question 8

state benefits and risks of GM herbicides in plants

Answer 8

benefits:
- reduce competing weeds - increases yield
ethical issues:
- biodiversity reduction
- fear of superweeds

Question 9

state benefits and risks of GM extended shelf-life in plants

Answer 9

benefits:
- reduces food waste
ethical issues:
- reduce commercial value + demand for crop

Question 10

state benefits and risks of GM growing conditions in plants

Answer 10

benefits:
- crops can grow in wider range of conditions
- eg. flood, droughts

Question 11

state benefits and risks of GM nutritional value in plants

Answer 11

benefits:
- nutritional value is increased (eg. enhanced vitamin levels)
ethical issues:
- allergies to different proteins in the crops

Question 12

state benefits and risks of GM medical uses

Answer 12

benefits:
- could be used to produced human medicines and vaccines

Question 13

describe the concerns people have over patenting and technology transfer in GM crops.

Answer 13

• poorer farmers would often benefit most cannot afford to buy GM seeds
• cannot save GM seeds to grow again next year - must buy them again every year

Question 14

describe 2 examples of GM farm animals for food production.

Answer 14

• swine fever - resistant pigs provide immunity to fatal infection
• faster-growing salmon - genes allow them to produce growth hormones all year round (grow to full size in half time of conventional salmon)

Question 15

define pharming

Answer 15

use of GM animals/plants to produce pharmaceuticals

Question 16

state two aspects of pharming

Answer 16

• creating animal models
• creating human proteins

Question 17

describe creating animal models in the field of pharming

Answer 17

addition/removal of genes so animals develop certain diseases to model development of new therapies

Question 18

describe creating human proteins in the field of pharming

Answer 18

• introducing human gene coding for medically required protein

Question 19

give an example of creating animal models

Answer 19

knockoud mice have some genes deleted so they are more likely to develop cancer

Question 20

give an example of creating human proteins

Answer 20

genetically modifying fertilised cows to produce desired human protein

Question 21

state 5 ethical issues surrounding the use of pharming.

Answer 21

• should animals be genetically engineered to act as models for human disease?
• is it right to put human genes into animals?
• is it acceptable to put genes from another species into an animal without being certain it will not cause harm?
• do GM animals reduce them to commodities?
• is welfare compromised during production of GM animals?