Genetically Modified Organism

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A genetically modified organism is a creature that has had its DNA altered by either adding the gene of another organism or removing a gene from its genome.

About Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms are created to have beneficial characteristics which cannot be bred naturally into the organism.

Insulin is produced by genetically modified bacteria which have had the gene coding for insulin inserted into a plasmid in the bacteria.

Golden rice is a genetically modified plant which has had the genes coding for the production of Vitamin A inserted into the DNA of a rice plant.

Ethics of Genetically Modified Organisms

Arguments in favour

Genetically modified organisms can save the lives of people who need insulin for diabetes.

Genetically modified organisms can provide vitamins to people whose normal diet may not include them due to poverty.

Genetically modified organisms can improve crop yields by making plants grow faster and bigger than normal.

Genetic modification of organisms can introduce new beneficial characteristics which could not have been introduced by selective breeding.

Genetically modified organisms can be made resistant to pests.

Arguments against

Some people believe that modifying the genes of organisms is unnatural or against the will of god.

The long term affects of genetic modification of organisms is not yet known.

The genes from a genetically modified organism may be spread into other populations of non-modified organisms which may not be desirable.

Some genetically modified organisms are made to be resistant to pesticides which means farmers can add more pesticides to the plants which may be harmful to local ecosystems.

Some genetically modified plants are made to be unable to reproduce, forcing farmers to buy new seeds every year from the company that made them.