Table of ContentsGenetically Modified Food Production MethodsGM Foods Needed WhyAdvantages of Genetically Modified FoodsDisadvantages of Genetically Modified OrganismsConclusionReferencesFoods are the nutrients that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb to maintain life and growth. With the world's population increasing dramatically, food production from natural resources could not meet their needs. So the researchers decided to produce more food using techniques at the molecular level. This type of food is called genetically modified food (GM food), that is, food whose genetic material has been modified and which is not already present in nature. Because genetically modified foods are designed to increase nutrient content through mutation, they have many benefits for humans, such as increasing nutritional content, forming plants that are resistant to pests, drought, herbicides and cold. But at the same time, it also has negative impacts. It is genetically dangerous, causing organ damage and allergic reactions in the digestive tract. But its advantages are more than its disadvantages, which is why researchers try their best to produce the crops with the desired characteristics using techniques at the molecular level. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayGenetically modified organisms (GMOs) are those organisms in which the genetic material has been modified and which are not already present in the nature and in genetically modified foods. are foods derived from animals and plants in which genes from a particular desired trait are added to an organism's DNA. GMOs are used in a variety of ways, including in biological and medical research, pharmaceutical drug production, experimental medicine, and agriculture. Through the method of genetic modification, we improve the dietary requirements as well as the quality of the food. We can achieve desired traits or goals in plants and animals (such as disease resistance, improve shelf life) faster than using traditional methods. Therefore, ethical questions arise regarding the negative effects of producing genetically modified foods. It shows that the insertion of the gene of interest for the desired traits in the food can have a protective effect while it can improve the expression of a gene linked to chronic disease. Methods for producing genetically modified foods Several methods are known for the production of GMOs from which we obtain food. The foreign gene that has been inserted into the cell of a microorganism, plant or animal, is called a transgene. It is integrated into the genome of recipients who are called transgenic. Transgenes are genes with known traits or mutated variants of known genes. In most cases, marker genes are also used due to the identification of a transgenic organism. Integration is accomplished by different methods: ElectroporationElectroporation is a physical phenomenon in which tiny pores are formed in the cell plasma membrane by applying a sufficiently high electric field. These pores are sufficient for the transport of a wide range of molecules such as DNA into and out of the cell. It is a reversible method andirreversible. This occurs in the lipid bilayer of the membrane of all prokaryotes and eukaryotic cells. This method was first reported for excitable cells in 1958 and for non-excitable cells in 1967, for planar lipid bilayers in 1979, and for lipid vesicles in 1981. MicroinjectionMicroinjection is a physical method of transferring cells into which foreign genetic material (gene of interest) is directly injected into cellular part. Today, we have developed quantitative microinjection technology based on an automated micropipette. Thanks to this technology, precise quantity of material delivered into the cell. Several other microinjection systems are also introduced, based on robotic technology to enable automated injection with high transfection efficiency. Agrobacterium-mediated transformationThis is a biological method of transferring the gene of interest into the plant genome. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that causes diseases in plants (many woody plants and some herbaceous plants) called "crown gall disease" via its Ti plasmid which causes a plant tumor. A complex process is involved in the integration of T-DNA (Ti plasmid). By replacing the Ti plasmid that causes the infection, we can solve the tumor problem in the plant. The first transgenic cotton was obtained by this method. Genetically Modified Foods Needed Why Genetically modified foods are used for crops formed by genetic engineering. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to improve many desired traits such as disease resistance or to improve nutritional value. Genetic engineering helps to quickly create such a plant with the exact characteristics desired. For example, using this technique, isolate a gene that contains a drought tolerance trait and insert this gene into different plants. The new plant will be genetically modified and drought tolerant. As the population increases, the demand for food also increases. So, with the help of genetically modified foods, we can increase the amount of food using short land while cultivating high productivity. As the food was deficient in many essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals) for example vitamin A deficiency causing many diseases such as (liver disorders, eye disorders)? Not only can we transfer the gene from one plant to another, but we can also transfer the gene from a non-plant substance to plants. The best example is Bt cotton in which we take the gene from the bacterial species Bacillus thuringiensis and transfer it into plants such as corn, cotton, etc. Advantages of genetically modified foods Resistance to parasitesFarmers use chemical pesticides in large quantities, which causes many fetal diseases. The consumer never likes to eat such dangerous and health risk foods. Excessive use of these pesticides and fertilizers causes water toxicity. Through genetic engineering, genetically modified foods grow like B. t. Corn (Bacillus thuringiensis) can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides. It is a naturally occurring bacteria that causes insect larvae to die by producing certain types of proteins. The gene for this protein has been transferred into a crop that becomes resistant to pests. Herbicide Tolerance Crop plants are genetically engendered by herbicides which damage and reduce the number of crops. Byexample, the product Roundup was genetically modified by Monsanto. A 2010 study found that the Roundup formulation caused metabolic disruption in leporinus obtusidens due to long-term exposure. Thus, by producing herbicide-tolerant crops, it reduces the cost of production and limits the danger of applying wheat-killing pesticides. Disease Resistance There are many microorganisms like (viruses, fungi and bacteria) that cause plant diseases. Through genetic engineering, we try to create plants that carry the gene that shows tolerance to the above microorganisms. Cold resistanceDue to cold weather, the yield of many crops is reduced. By using genes from cold-water fish and introducing them into plants such as tobacco and potatoes. Due to these genes, plants become resistant to cold.Virus resistanceDue to the virus attack on crops, the production of crops is reduced. Therefore, genetically modified crops are produced in a different way to increase production and prevent virus attack. RNA-mediated gene silencing technique is used to degrade viral RNA and inactivate viral DNA through methylation. Drought Tolerance/Salinity Tolerance As the world's population increases, the need for food also increases. Therefore, farmers will cultivate more, even in places where the land is saline or dry. So we try to grow drought and salinity tolerant crops that can withstand a long period of drought or high salt content in the soil. Nowadays, GM tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are produced which are tolerant to drought and salinity and impart rapid growth and cooling.NutritionMalnutrition is common in third world countries that depend on a single crop like rice. Only rice does not contain all types of nutritional elements (Vitamin A deficiency). Vitamin deficiency causes blindness, which is a big problem in third world countries. If we prepare a rice crop with additional vitamins and minerals, the problem of malnutrition can be solved. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Plant Sciences have created golden rice which contains a high amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A). In this way we can solve the problem of malnutrition in other food crops. Human beings need many micro and macronutrients for the activity of their body. Deficiency of a single nutrient will lead to many diseases (illness, poor health, immune deficiency in children). Some essential nutrients are found in proteins (histidine, lysine, valine and methionine), in lipids (linoleic acid and linolenic acid), in macroelements (Na, k, Ca, Mg, S, P and Cl) in microelements (Fe, Zn, Mg, As, etc.) in vitamins (A, D, E, K, C, B1, B2, B3, Niacin, etc.). Genetic engineering is used to improve all of these nutrients in a crop. PharmaceuticalVaccines are used for the prevention of many infectious diseases. There are many problems in the production, distribution and delivery of the vaccine. To solve all these problems, scientists have produced a type of vaccine called edible vaccine. A food containing additives beneficial to health called a functional food. Researchers are working on developing edible vaccines on fruits such as tomatoes and bananas. These edible vaccines are easier to administer than another injectable vaccine.PhytoremediationMany heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn), mainly produced by human activities,cause the death of plants as well as essential soil microorganisms. There are many naturally grown plants (alfa alfa) that remove these heavy metals. Using genetic engineering, researchers are trying to design plants used in bioremediation (removal of contaminants using living organisms), such as poplar. Disadvantages of genetically modified organisms. GMOs are inherently dangerous. There are several reasons why genetically modified plants contain unique dangers. The first is that genetically modified foods are prepared by altering genes. This can create mutations in and around the insertion site. The genetic material in soybeans that makes the bacteria tolerant to herbicides transforms into human gut bacteria and continues their function, showing that eating genetically modified crops causes the expression of foreign genetically modified proteins in our gut. The genetically modified diet shows a toxic reaction in the digestive tract. Cultivation submitted to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) voluntary FlavrSavr tomato shows signs of toxin. Of 20 female rats fed GM tomatoes, seven developed a stomach lesion. The type of stomach injury linked to tomatoes can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage in a person who uses aspirin to prevent blood clotting. GM diet causes liver damage Rats that fed GM potatoes had smaller and partially atrophied livers. Rats show liver damage and other signs of toxicity when fed genetically modified corn. Animals fed genetically modified foods had higher mortality rates and organ damage. Mice fed Roundup Ready soy produced significantly fewer digestive enzymes. In rats fed genetically modified potatoes, the pancreas was enlarged. Animals fed GMOs show toxic lesions, impaired enzyme production or inflammation. GMO crops trigger an immune response and can cause allergies. Allergic reactions occur when a foreign particle is detected and interpreted with the immune system. All genetically modified foods, by their definition, contain foreign particles that are inserted into the genome. They therefore cause allergic reactions when they interact with the body. Genetically modified peas have been induced and an inflammatory response in mice shows that it can cause a fatal allergic reaction in people. Scientists have discovered that the new protein from genetically modified soybeans is able to bind to IgE antibodies and cause many dangerous allergic reactions. Bt toxins produced by genetically modified crops exhibit toxic reactions far more dangerous than the natural truth. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion Genetically modified foods have both beneficial and harmful effects on the environment. environment. But in one way or another, everyone uses genetically modified foods in their lives. It is more preferred as it is used to cater the huge population of the world with healthy and nutritious diet. So it has dominated by its harmful effects and it is used all over the world. This affects humans in ways that are more beneficial than harmful, which is why we are trying to create more genetically modified foods to increase (2008) 0. 63 0. 21 0. 06 0. 04 0. 04 0. 01 0. 01