Question

Scenario 1:
Scientists have developed genetically engineered plants that are pest-resistant. By adding genes to the plant’s DNA, the DNA become toxic to insects (but not to the plants or animals). This means that these plants may not need to be sprayed with pesticides to ward off the insects.

Would you be willing to eat these genetically altered crops? Explain your answer.

What are some possible impacts (positive or negative) of this genetically engineered plant on the environment, society, and individuals?

Answer 1

first you got a wrong idea that added DNA is toxic, even if you mean protein encoding by that DNA, that is also incorrect. Inclusion of recombinant protein which are toxic to human in edible material is unethical and scientific community will not allow it. Just read the technique in which how that plants become pest resistant by introducing those protein coding DNA. shortly these proteins are never toxic to human, because any protein needs to be toxic there is some mechanism of action to form its toxicity. For GM proteins the human digestive system is not an environment (acidic unlike pests alkaline gut) to target and receptors for the toxin are not there. GM is a broad topic for discussion, but before making a statement on it please make sure that your words are scientifically strong, if not possible.. never use such words in an argument. On my opinion it is sure that we need this technology in future, but before introducing the system we need to study more its direct activity on environment, biodiversity etc.. and first of all we need to say get-out to all private companies which looking only for money by introducing terminator like technology.