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The transgenic organisms They are those that experience some modification in their characteristics through the addition of genes corresponding to other organisms. The possibility that organisms are transgenic of course is not natural, but is due to the action of man.
Genetic engineering has as one of its main contributions this question, which claims to have the vocation of increase crop productivity contributing to sustainable agriculture that uses resources to improve food by eliminating toxic substances, or modifying the proportions of its components to achieve healthier foods.
- Examples of Biotechnology
When it started?
The history of the genetic modification of plants and animals has its origin only at the end of the 20th century, since before this possibility was only considered under science fiction idealizations.
The procedure started with bacteria, then expanded to a mouse and it had as a fundamental step when in 1981 some scientists demonstrated that generationally, the transmission of artificially incorporated genetic material occurred.
Already in the last decade of the century, engineering was able to modify the seeds in such a way that during cultivation they can resist herbicides, which substantially modifies the way the harvest cycle is carried out: instead of removing all the weeds by hand, it can be done in an industrial way by means of what is known as' direct seeding '.
- Examples of Monocultures
Criticisms and controversies
It is for the latter that one of the most important issues in the use of transgenics is in the Economic performance, since genetic manipulation is often carried out so that plants can resist pests and chemical actions, or that vitamins are added artificially that eliminate economic problems, or they can enlarge and systematize production.
There are not a few agronomists who warn about this question of treating 'as if it were any type of product' food that will later be for humans, affirming that these practices disrupt ecosystems and are risky for humans and other species.
Regulation: In many cases, countries evaluate each of these foods individuallyHowever, there are some nations (such as Russia, France or Algeria) that prohibit them in a generalized way. In some cases, countries choose to force the labeling of foods that contain some component derived from transgenic crops, as do the European Union, Japan, Malaysia and Australia.
Examples of transgenic organisms (plants and animals)
- Banana: To make it more resistant, two species are crossed to make it.
- Soy: Modification in the seed, to be more resistant to herbicides. A large part of the soybean is sown by means of direct seeding.
- Rice: Introduction of three new genes, to obtain a rice with a higher content of vitamin A.
- Salmon: A cross between salmon allows one 200% more in size, which gives a high economic benefit.
- Cow: The genetic structure was modified to produce milk with a kind of insulin useful for diabetics.
- Glofish: Fish modified with a jellyfish protein that makes them glow in white or ultraviolet light.
- Corn: It was genetically modified to make it more resistant to insects, which preyed on the plant.
- Potato: Starch enzymes are invalidated.
- Sunflower: Genes are altered to make it resistant to drought.
- Plum: GMOs are added to increase their productivity.
- Sugar: It is modified to make it resistant to herbicides.
- Frogs: By crossing genes from two species, translucent frogs were created, which allow us to study the effect of chemicals on their organs.
- Primate: A specimen was modified in 2001, proving that a being as complex as this can be genetically altered.
- Pigs: Genes were also inserted that allow the animal to produce an antigen that would make it easier to accept organs in humans.
- Tomatoes: Enzymes are inhibited to slow decomposition time.
- Alfalfa: GMOs are added to make it resistant to a herbicide.
- Coffee: Genetic modification allows to increase production.
- grapes: With transgenics it is possible to increase resistance and eliminate the seeds inside the fruit.
- Sheep: With human genes, it would allow in the not too distant future to use their organs to be transplanted into humans.
- Oranges: When exposed to ethylene, chlorophyll degradation is accelerated.
Follow with: Examples of GM foods
