What are Genetically Modified Crops
For thousands of years we have tried to select plants for improved yield, growth or food characteristics. In the past, this has been done by selective breeding, selecting the plants with desired characteristics and crossing it with another plant with other desired characteristics. As a result a new variety of the plant formed at a much faster rate that would occur in the wild. The problem with this was when plants were crossed with ancestral varieties, the embryos do not survive very well. Another problem was that only plants in the same species are able to cross with each other. So Scientists wanted to find a way around this. The characteristics of plants are determined by its DNA, which is a genetic code of its features. Just like a blueprint it contains even tiny details, like how even individual cells are constructed. The DNA is then divided up into sets of genes, which are instructions for individual functions. The characteristics of each plant are determined by which genes it has received from its parent plants, whether or not these genes are expressed and interactions between the genes and environmental factors. With modern genetic modification genes can be selected, isolated and inserted into another plant, without th
In the United Kingdom the introduction of genetically engineered products has only just begun to occur. Although in its teething stages the British Public has seemed to argue against the widespread introduction, in recent opinion polls 77% of the British public wanted genetically engineered products banned. While across the Atlantic in the United States of America two out of three Americans support the use of biotechnology to produce food. The reason for this big difference in opinions is in Britain people haven't been educated enough about the benefits that Genetic Modification can bring, instead they have just been told myths by environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth about the problems that may occur. Even Prince Charles has had things to say - Genetic modification "takes mankind into realms that belong to God, and to God alone", he writes early in his diatribe. Also people have preconceived ideas because of the BSE and Ecoli outbreaks that occurred, so this makes them think the products are a danger to them. Action against GM crops is intensifying. All 325 test fields in Britain have been identified from (often inaccurate) official lists and at least 25 have been destroyed by ad hoc and uncoordinated groups. Some firms have not reported attacks for fear that it will increase the chances of copycat crimes. Also the press often gives the Gm crops a bad name especially against
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Approximate Word count = 950
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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