Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering seems like a revolutionary breakthrough in technology. Most people applaud it for its various abilities and purposes. However genetic engineering has many consequences that people disregard. The use of genetic engineering may seem alluring for its benefits, but the risks may outweigh the potential benefits. These days genetic engineering can be another way for humans to act on their own conveniences, while neglecting possible consequences for the environment. Considering the consequences of genetic engineering would be conserving a part of the environment. Ultimately, we should carefully exercise the use of genetic engineering because of its threats to the environment.

Genetic engineering poses a risk to the environment. Genetically engineered plants harm the environment in several different ways. According to ucsusa.org, plants that have their DNA altered may be invasive or toxic to other plants in wildlife. The most harmful impact genetic engineering can have on agriculture is pesticide resistance. Several weeds have become resistant towards pesticides. These weeds provide an alarming issue for farmers as it spreads rapidly. Furthermore, this agitation prompts farmers to use even more toxic herbicides to battle these weeds.

Surprisingly, cloning animals can harm the environment as well. One practical reason for cloning animals is to save an endangered species. However, this shifts our focus from protecting their habitats. We have an excuse to let their habitat dissipate since we have a more convenient way of saving them. This is not an ideal method to conserve the environment. Letting an animal live without their home is not conserving nature at all.

The reduction of genetic diversity also becomes an issue with genetic engineering. According to Harvard University, an increased variety in DNA is necessary for organisms to adapt to changing environments. The potato famine in Ireland provides a great example for this situation. In the 1800s, the potatoes in Ireland were clones, which means they were genetically identical. An invasive pathogen, called P. infestans, caused a severe famine as it wiped out the entire population of potatoes. With no potatoes with favorable traits, no potatoes were able to survive the attack of the invasive pathogen.

Advantageous genes in genetically modified organisms may also increase their survival in a wild population. These organisms will survive and outlast their wild relatives. Thus, this reduces the amount of genetic diversity as GMOs reproduce at a faster rate than the latter.

Animals may also suffer due to genetic engineering. First of all, a lot of animals have to die in order to produce a few number of successes. Many transgenic organisms are also likely to die in the early stages of their life. All in all, genetically engineering can be inefficient as 85 to 90 percent of organisms fail to show the desired trait.

The well-being of the environment is far more significant than the revolutionary astonishments that genetic engineering may provide. Even though there are benefits of genetic engineering, the dangers of it can’t be ignored heedlessly. Our environment always seems to be ignored. Therefore we have to recognize that genetic engineering may be the newest offender to ignore the consequences of the environment.

Posted by Daniel Kim