Genetic Engineering Myth And Truth The Second Edition By...

Introduction There are many myths that surround the genetically modified (GM) crops and food. Are they just a mere myth or it is the truth that has been shunned from public discussion? I believed that, there are some misconceptions and truths upholding the myths with the evidences from great studies conducted by researchers all over the world. From the book GMO: Myth and Truth the second edition by Antoniou and his colleagues (2012), the arguments are adapted to discuss the topic. In this article, the issues that would be discussed involves genetic engineering technique, health hazard of GM food, impacts of GM crops on farms and environment, health hazard of Roundup Ready crops and also feeding the world. These are the main arguments†¦show more content†¦The steps of genetic modification are proving that genetic engineering is not an extension of natural breeding. Some people argue that, it is unnatural for particular combinations of genes would occur in the environment and the way it is inserted into the host organism would never happen. For instance, in Bt corn and other Bt type of crops, the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis is inserted into the genome of the crop making it contain the insect virus. The natural breeding is actually part of genetic engineering, it just that now they are considered as a sole technique separated from genetic engineering. Here is an example, people from the past found that certain type of crops that are useful for them, therefore it can be argued that the crops that they acquire do actually exist naturally. The farmers only become the medium for the breeding to take place. Nowadays, with technology the scientists are just increasing the odds of those breeding to occur, it might not always happen in the natural environment but the chances are there. Basically, one can argue that genetic engineering is a tool that enhancing natural breeding to occur. Some have argued that the genes inserted to the organism might not go to the specific place where it should be, thus altering the organism in a completely different way. There is an issue where the gene of the desired traits is not producing the expected traits or effects that would affect the plant by causing mutation.