Genetic Engineering: Technology That Will Help Achieve Many Goals

Genetic Engineering: Technology that will help achieve many goals

Genetic Engineering also a form of biotechnology, is when genes of an organism like plants, animals, or humans, are altered to make the organism better in a sense, like yielding more, or having better characteristics that help them be more successful in life. The Genes can be altered by combining two different genes together from different species to form a new gene, inserting certain genes into the organism, or sometimes even mutations. Although this advance technology has caused many conflicts concerning problems of biodiversity and ethnics, the wide variety effects of genetic engineering will ultimately help the world thrive and achieve many goals. Not only does genetic engineering facilitate the agricultural sector, but also society and the world as a whole.

             The world’s population today is about 6.6 billion and as a result more supplies are needed and to be produced in order to sustain the world’s population. In this case genetic engineering is a great way to sustain the world’s population by “increase[ing] yields to help provide food for the hungry and large world population.” (Shah). This is possible because specific genes are inserted into the crops and thus making the crop larger in size and as a result will provide more food for the world. In addition “genetically modified [crops] have the potential to resist killer weeds” which means fewer crops will be damaged from pests and weeds which will result in larger yields (39). This ability of modified crops will be convenient to farmers because now they could spray herbicides to kill the weeds and the harvest would not be affected. Farmers would not have to worry about their crops being destroyed by troublesome insects and herbicides. Genetically engineered crops will not only help the more developed countries, but also the underdeveloped and third world countries. The engineered crops will have more nutritional values than ordinary crops, helping the less fortunate by providing the nutritional values needed in life to survive. This will prevent malnutrition and under nutrition in the less developed nations. Crops can also be modified to adapt to extreme weather conditions, like droughts and harsh winters (Whitman). This will permit the poorer nations to produce food and continue to have provisions even in desperate times. Genetic engineering will eventually help the nations that are in drought save water. Because of the crops’ resistance to pests and ability to go a long time without much water, it will in the long run help the environment.