Scientists have developed genetically engineered plants that are pest-resistant. By adding genes to the plant’s DNA, they become toxic to insects (but not to 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. (5 points)

What are some possible impacts (positive or negative) of this genetically engineered plant on the environment, society, and individuals? (5 points)

Question

Scientists have developed genetically engineered plants that are pest-resistant. By adding genes to the plant’s DNA, they become toxic to insects (but not to 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. (5 points)
 
What are some possible impacts (positive or negative) of this genetically engineered plant on the environment, society, and individuals? (5 points)

kainui · Answer

Yes, because everything around us has been genetically altered over and over again, that's what evolution is all about. Your body will break down the plant into things it can digest just like anything else you eat and poop out what's left.

Downside might be that bugs die, birds and spiders that eat those bugs die, and bobcats die because there aren't any birds for them to eat. But who cares right?

anonymous · Answer

Envionment: biodiversity will increase in the short term because a new charcteristic has been introduced to the population. However, if we continue to produce only pest-resistant plants, then in the long term, biodiversity will decrease. This is very disadvantageous because if a disease breaks out, it will wipe out the entire population of plants because they're all the same and there's no variation - no charcteristic that can survive against the disease.