Advantages of genetic manipulation
Currently, genetic engineering is a science that is very advanced and that provides us with many benefits in various fields:
- Environment.
Currently, there are bacteria that have been genetically modified and that devour hydrocarbons, these bacteria, are used to clean sites contaminated with toxic waste and to clean oil stains.
"Chilean scientists, from the Federico Santa María Technical University, had developed an efficient microorganism in the removal of mercury in waters and soils contaminated by this metal that is presented as the most toxic element of the periodic table," he said. Some examples of elements that have been eliminated because they are toxic have been lead, cadmium, mercury, zinc ..
Both cases belong to a technique known as bioremediation, which is a process that consists in the use of biological organisms that may or may not be genetically modified, to eliminate or neutralize an environmental or waste pollutant. The use of this technique, "has been proposed as a cheap, sustainable, and effective alternative against conventional remediation technologies"
At present, recombinant DNA techniques have been used to modify these biological organisms (plants and bacteria) that participate in bioremediation. In this way, these genetically modified organisms are more effective in their work to eliminate or neutralize an environmental pollutant to rehabilitate an contaminated area.
On the other hand, (Alemañ, 2019) explained that in the future the use of genetic engineering may reduce the dependence of fossil fuels, which are widely used in large industries, but they have a very high cost in the environmentAnd they are not renewable. This will be possible, through the use of genetically modified microorganisms that can surely provide alternative and non -contaminated sources and, thus the use of fossil fuels could be reduced.
- Agriculture
"Thanks to genetic engineering, scientists can make certain combinations between genes of different species, in order to solve problems and improve the economic-commercial performance of agricultural" farms.
Genetic manipulation has allowed plants with greater drought tolerance to be cultivated. Consequently, crops have been planted in areas that could not previously be cultivated;And, on the other hand, crops have been modified that did not tolerate heat well to be able to grow in more arid and warm areas.
In addition, at present, some transgenic crops contain in their genome (DNA) genes from bacteria, so that these crops become able to produce a protein that do not tolerate the pests of bugs that attack those bacteria. These transgenics are called BT, by Bacillus thuringiensis (bacteria from which the gene that is introduced to the crop), and, are capable of "defending" for themselves, allowing farmers to reduce the amount of insecticide used in them.
Finally, genetic manipulation has given us the opportunity to raise the nutritional value of crops. At present, it is already possible to get a food to have high medicinal value, thus making it a edible vaccine available for all people in the world.
"In summary, it promises to contribute sustainable agriculture, using resources more in accordance with the environment, that is, helping to meet current needs without compromising future ones".
- Industry
In the industry, the most profitable benefit is the low cost by which substances of human interest can be achieved. Most of these substances are proteins and, the clearest example is insulin. However, there are also other substances
“Genetically modified microorganisms are also used to produce the enzymes used in laundry detergents and in contact lens solutions. These recombinant microorganisms are also used to make substances that can become polymers such as polyester for use in bedding and other products ”.
In addition, many organisms have been modified to accelerate processes such as fermentations, both alcoholic and lactic. On the other hand, these modifications also serve to intensify characteristics of the products obtained in these processes, for example: it increases the acidity of the wine, increased the fruity aroma of wine, increased the taste of butter…;or also to reduce some of the characteristics such as: decrease in caloric beer content, decreased sweet beer, decreased concentration of malic acid in wine ..
- Cattle raising
Among the contributions of the use of genetic manipulation techniques in animals, the following stand out:
Cattle manipulation to get a more productive cattle, for example: sheep that produce more wool or cows that produce more milk and better quality.
"Conservation of endangered species by storage of frozen semen and embryos" (genetic manipulation in animals, s.F.). In addition, the possibility of cloning animals that, at present, are already extinguished, are already being studied.
Finally, the use of this new science in animals has allowed reducing the number of animals used in laboratories experiments. It also helps scientists understand the mechanisms of proliferation and cell differentiation;And, it allows us to obtain proteins with therapeutic and industrial interest of these animals.
- Medicine
At present, genetic manipulation has achieved many progress regarding the scope of medicine:
First, I must say that genetic engineering has given us one of the most effective treatments against genetic diseases. This treatment is gene therapy. “Bone marrow cells were extracted, modified with the functional gene and returned to their owner, so that the defective ones were replaced. From then until today he lives like anyone at home and outdoors ’. This is an example of the result gene therapy in a girl whose immune system failed due to the lack of a single gene, and that consequently had to live inside a sterility bubble.
In addition, the previous treatment, gene therapy, it is possible that in the near future the eradication of degenerative diseases such as: cystic fibrosis or Alzheimer’s fibrosis. It is even believed that genetic manipulation at some point will achieve a 100% effective treatment against cancer.
Another great advantage is the use of genetic engineering in nonates, because, this science allows to detect diseases (such as Down syndrome) in embryos found in the mother’s uterus, and thus be able to treat them and reverse the effects beforethat the baby is born, thus avoiding complications of these diseases.
“With the genetic intervention, the decrease in cellular levels that is one of the factors that influence the development of lethal diseases at an early age could be reversed. This benefit would not only allow us. Genetic manipulation allows individuals to live a better and longer life.
- Disadvantages:
As we have already seen the manipulation of individuals, through the use of recombinant DNA techniques, it gives us many benefits. However, there are also several issues that show us the disadvantages of using these techniques, and genetic manipulation.
- Environment
The main disadvantage is the so -called genetic pollution. This, we can define it as: "The incorporation into the environment of incoming genes that interact and compete with the established genetics of plant and animals species of that environment" (genetic pollution – definition, prevention and effects, s s.F.). Consequently, genetic pollution, genetically modified species that are in contact with transgenic species could mutate, becoming sterile and thus losing part of biodiversity.
Biological pollution can be the greatest danger resulting from genetic engineering. “New living organisms, bacteria and viruses will be released to reproduce, migrate and mutate. Their new characteristics will pass to other organisms and can never be recovered or containing. This is an invitation to a disastrous ecological alteration ".
“Another type of potential impact would be the derivative of undesirable ecological interactions of the modified culture, for example, incentive of pest populations or negative effects on beneficial organisms. It is difficult to evaluate the long -term effects of OGMS on biodiversity, since there is still no predictive ecology, but there is no doubt that it would be risky, without good previous studies, allow large -scale cultivation of manipulated plants nearbyof the respective centers of origin. This especially affects certain developing countries (Mexico, part of South America, Southeast Asia) ".
- Agriculture
"According to the UNIV investigations. From Cornell, the pollen of the BT MAIZ causes the death of the monarch butterfly, there is also the pollution and genetic erosion of other genetically not altered species ”, these are some of the risks that the use of genetic manipulation in agriculture can bring.
First, it can lead to the loss of biodiversity and alteration of the agricultural system and ecosystem. There is a risk, of the traditional seeds of crops disappearing;Well, large companies market with crops whose seeds are genetically modified.
Consequently, this would have a negative impact on the economy, for the reason that fruits and vegetables would be available throughout the year and large amounts and, to prevent these food from being spoiled.
Second, we find the risk that genetically modified organisms (OGM) becoming antibiotics resistant, in addition to insects and weeds could become tolerant of pesticides and herbicides. In addition, the wind transports the pollen of genetically modified plants to other plants, thus contaminating them with manipulated DNA.
On the other hand, "genetically treated plants are leaving the contamination of rivers and reservoirs".
Finally, one of the most serious repercussions of genetic manipulation is the danger they can cause to individuals who consume it, why they can produce new more serious allergies and diseases. And, there has already been some event like that, as can be the case of the Starlink corn.
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