Essay --

Genetically Modified Plants and its Impacts Biotechnology, a merging of biology and technology, has greatly contributed to our current well-being. Scientists employ biotechnology to develop medicinal treatments, alternative energy, and agricultural products. Its advances also enable scientists to alter organisms through genetic engineering, a biotechnological technique, involving modification of DNA and the transfer of gene components between species to promote replication of specific traits. Scientists apply this technique to a wide range of organisms including plants. Genetically modified plants (GM), namely transgenic plants, contain traits such as better nutritional quality, tolerance to insecticide and diseases, and greater yield. These GM crops impose benefits on human health, environment, and economics. However, a number of scientists and organizations criticize GM crops despite its advantages. The opposition argues that GM crops put potential risk on not only human health but also the environment, leading to increasi ng use of herbicide and allergic reaction in some people. Evidence regarding GM crops controversy reveals how biotech companies suppress research that would otherwise reveal adverse effects of transgenic plants to the public. Genetic engineering is a modern biotechnology technique, which allows gene slicing and transferring between one organism and another. This altered genetic make-up results in the change of certain protein production that indirectly removes or adds certain features to modified organisms. Genetic modification differs from traditional biotechnology because genes of animals, plants, and bacteria can be combined to create organisms with altered traits that would not occur naturally. This tech... ...n manipulating and limiting independent research on GM plants clearly undermines the credibility of information obtained through research institutions funded by these companies. The majority of published researches has shown potential benefits of GM plants in producing more nutritious foods, decreasing use of insecticide, and increasing farmers’ profits. However, there is a tendency that these studies are conducted in favor of biotech companies. The studies on GM plants’ negative impacts are still scarce due to manipulation by biotech companies. Due to the lack of independent scientific research on the impacts of transgenic plants, it is crucial for consumer to have the right to choose whether they want to consume GM plants or not. To do so, GM labeling law must be passed. And it can only be done if more consumers participate and support the GM labeling movement. â€Æ'