Final answer:
Concerns about GMOs include health risks, environmental impact, and ethical and legal issues, but many studies demonstrate their safety. Genetic engineering is the artificial introduction of DNA into an organism. Selective breeding is an ancient practice, while genetic engineering has developed resistant and nutritionally enhanced crops, exemplified by the rainbow papaya engineered by Dr. Dennis Gonsalves.
Step-by-step explanation:
Concerns About GMOs
Some concerns raised by those who oppose Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) include the potential for unknown harmful effects on human health, environmental risks such as harm to other organisms and ecosystems, ethical issues around ownership and control of genetic material, and the social and legal implications of biotechnology. Regarding safety, questions persist about the long-term consumption effects and allergenic potential. An extensive review by the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reported no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between commercially available GMOs and conventionally bred crops.
What is Genetic Engineering?
Genetic engineering is the process of artificially introducing DNA from one organism into another, thereby modifying an organism's genetic makeup to express desired traits. This technology has created a variety of biologically novel plants, bacteria, viruses, and animals, mainly focusing on high-demand crops.
Selective Breeding vs. Genetic Engineering
Selective breeding is not a new method but has been practiced for thousands of years. It involves choosing parent organisms with desirable traits to breed together. Selective breeding can alter an organism's genetic information, but it is more unpredictable than genetic engineering.
Major Traits Developed Through Genetic Engineering
Traits developed through genetic engineering include resistance to insect pests and herbicides, which allows for more efficient weed control without crop damage. Other traits include enhanced nutritional profiles, growth characteristics, and drought tolerance.
The Story of Rainbow Papaya
The rainbow papaya is a GE crop developed to resist the papaya ringspot virus, which threatened to destroy Hawaii's papaya industry. Dr. Dennis Gonsalves played a critical role in developing and introducing this genetically engineered papaya, which ultimately saved the industry from serious decline.