GMO is the abbreviation for any organism whose genetic code has undergone an artificial, targeted change. It is essential to understand that this applies only to those transformations that cannot occur either as a result of selection or as a result of evolution. Modern biotechnology allows the movement of genetic material between unrelated, non-cross-species. Modern biotechnologies design genetically modified foods to make agriculture more stable and prosperous. In the future, genetically modified foods may help solve food and environmental problems associated with the growth of the world’s population.
The first genetic changes in plants were intended at increasing resistance to herbicides. Remedies for weeds do not affect the vegetation of transgenic crops, so it is possible to process the fields during the emergence of seedlings when it is most effective. The amount of herbicide and spray to be sprinkled with this approach is supposedly reduced. Transgenic plants can decrease crop losses from pests and diminish the use of insecticides. Modified cultures produce a toxin that is active against insects, but safe for humans. For example, a potato variety has been created that is inedible for the Colorado potato beetle (Johnson, 2019). The joint development of microbiologists and geneticists has led to the creation of plants that are immune to viruses. Protection against infections has increased crop yields and reduced inevitable risks in the agricultural industry.
Genetic modifications of traditional crops have allowed the expansion of agricultural land in areas with adverse conditions. Increased resistance of plants to excessive salinization of the soil, arid climate, and low temperatures is only one example. Moreover, some changes are directed at improving the nutritional value of the product. Laboratory research and pharmaceuticals are areas in which gene technologies are of undoubted benefit. With their help, a large number of drugs are produced (for example, insulin and interferon) based on recombinant human proteins (Johnson, 2019). Replacing donated blood with genetically modified erythrocytes in the future may reduce the risk of infection for patients.
References
Johnson, A. T. (2019). GMO or OMG? IEEE Pulse, 10(1), 30–31.