Question

You will then write a one- to two-paragraph summary describing your chosen type of biotechnology. You will then need to argue for either the benefits or the risks of your chosen type. Your arguments should present your position, and then give the evidence that led you to this position. Be sure to include the following in your argument:

a description of your chosen type of biotechnology (genetic engineering, cloning, or artificial section)
one benefit or one risk for the individual (based on whether you are for or against it)
one benefit or one risk for society (based on whether you are for or against it)
one benefit or one risk for the environment (based on whether you are for or against it)
A picture (you may hand draw, take photos in nature, or use stock images)

I chose Artificial Selection

Answer 1

I would've personally gone for genetic engineering because that's more broader, most popular, most points to make, and is big in debate. But that's your choice.

For artificial selection

-description: Reproducing two species to yield a desirable trait in the progeny. It is common in corn.
Individual:
benefits:
-Different, not necessarily better, tasting fruits and vegetables
-The produce doesn't rot or get spoiled as quickly
risk:
-We don't get the true, authentic fruits and vegetables. Almost all the produce you see in the supermarkets have genetic engineering influences, especially corn. People say that the taste of corn is gone, and back then, prior to the biotechnological revolution, corn used to taste much better.
Society:
-benefit: Due to artificial selection, we have selectively reproduced crops with pest and parasitic resistance so that more crops present with parasitic resistance.
-Risk: We have ruined the gene pool of strawberries and bananas. The strawberries and bananas you get from the supermarket are genetically 'fake'. Their genes have been manipulated so much, the true taste, appearance, and behavior of bananas, strawberries, and especially corn have vanished from practically any spot on Earth.
Environment:
benefit:
-Well we're just adding on to gene flow, I don't see it as a benefit
Risk:
-We've completely disrupted the gene pool and ecosystem of these biotic and abiotic factors. Symbiosis is a natural mechanism, and if something needs to be attacked by a parasite, there is a reason for it. No matter how harsh it may seem, symbiosis, even predation and parasitism, is necessary for a stable ecosystem to run. By increasing parasite and insect resistance, we are ruining the species stability for those parasites and insects. Some animals survive on eating those insects. If those insects die out, more animals will die out, and more, and more. This ruins the entire food web.