Topic 4 - Implications Of Genetic Engineering And Selective Breeding Flashcards
What is one benefit of genetic engineering in medicine?
It can mass produce certain hormones in microorganisms
This application often involves using bacteria and fungi for production.
How can genetic engineering improve agricultural yields?
By:
* Improving growth rates
* Introducing modifications for different climates
* Allowing plants to produce their own pesticides or herbicides
These modifications can help crops adapt to various environmental conditions.
What is a benefit of producing crops with extra vitamins?
They can be grown in areas where vitamins are difficult to obtain
This can improve nutritional intake in regions facing deficiencies.
How can greater agricultural yields help address world hunger?
They can provide more food to meet the needs of a growing population
Population growth is increasing the urgency of this issue.
What is a potential risk of GM crops on wild flowers?
They might affect wild flowers and therefore insects
This could disrupt the natural ecosystem and food chains.
What could happen if GM crops are infertile?
Their genes could spread into wild plants, leading to infertility in other species
This might have a cascading effect on the entire environment.
What is a consequence of using herbicides and pesticides with GM crops?
It can kill insects and other plants, reducing biodiversity
This loss of biodiversity can destabilize ecosystems.
What concerns do people have regarding the effects of GM crops?
We do not completely understand their effects on human health
This uncertainty raises questions about long-term safety.
What is a potential ethical concern related to genetic engineering in humans?
It could lead to the creation of designer babies
This raises moral and social implications about genetic selection.
What is a risk associated with the selection pressure from GM crops?
It could lead to increased resistance in other species, creating super weeds and pests
This can challenge agricultural practices and pest management.
What is a benefit of selective breeding?
It can greatly increase the yield of a particular crop by selectively breeding only individuals that produce higher quality or a larger mass of food.
This practice focuses on enhancing specific traits in crops and livestock.
What is a disadvantage of selective breeding?
It can cause severe health problems in the offspring.
For example, chickens bred for meat may become too large to walk.
How can selective breeding affect disease resistance in crops?
Individual plants or animals can be bred to be resistant to a particular disease, potentially increasing crop yield.
This method helps in developing varieties that can withstand specific pathogens.
What is a risk associated with lack of genetic variation in selectively bred populations?
If one individual has susceptibility to a different disease, the entire population could be wiped out.
This highlights the dangers of reduced genetic diversity.
What ethical issues are associated with selective breeding?
Many consider it unethical to selectively breed for characteristics wanted by humans if it leads to suffering or reduced quality of life in offspring.
Ethical concerns often revolve around animal welfare and the consequences of human intervention.
