Agriculture & Farming (Q&A)

Answer:

Genetically modified organisms are a danger to environment because of the following reasons:

• Modern science is limited in the knowledge and the outcome of using such crops, not capable of realising the harms of GMO's.

• Many genetically modified crops were created using antibiotic-resistance genes as markers. Therefore, in addition to having the desired characteristics, these genetically modified crops contain antibiotic-resistance genes. If these genes were to transfer in the digestive tract from a food product into human cells or to bacteria, this could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

• The movement of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or related species in the wild, referred to as 'Outcrossing', as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with those grown using GM crops, may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security.

• These can provoke allergic reaction or allergenicity when consumed.

• GMO's can be altered in a way that they will not generate seeds in the second generation because the plants will yield sterile seeds.

• There is a possibility that some transgenic crops could become noxious weeds, and others could become a conduit through which new genes may move to wild plants which themselves could then become weeds. The new weeds could adversely affect farm crops as well as wild ecosystems. Similarly, genetically engineered fish, shellfish and insects could become pests under certain conditions.

• The possible chemical contamination of surface-water and ground-water by microorganisms or plants with unusual or accelerated metabolic processes is a special concern because of the crucial importance of water for all life. It may be impossible to recall and difficult to control harmful GEOs, especially those that may contaminate ground-water.

• GMO's can also infect the gene pool of plants and animals.

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