Truth about GMO

Genetic engineering, gene cloning and protein engineering has enabled humans to make changes in the genetics of an organism and such an altered organism is called a "Genetically modified organism."

Genes from different organisms can be combined and this is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resultant organism is called as "genetically modified," "genetically engineered," or "transgenic organism."

GMOs are produced by gene cloning; a foreign gene is introduced in a new organism. The new protein gets into the new environment and gives a new expression which enables the organism to demonstrate new characteristics.

Every new technological advancement is initially focused on the benefit of the human kind but with the passage of time a lot of controversies get attached to it, same is the case with these GMO's. Initially they were focusing on the beneficial aspects but as the time passed and they were tested and trialed there negative aspects also got into the lime light.

Benefits like more food, better taste, reduced maturation time and more nutrient intake in plants, and in animals better yields in eggs, milk and meat and also early maturation time are associated with GMO's. Issues concerning health, ethics, intellectual property rights and society are also attached to the usage of these organisms.

Different conspiracies are attached with these organisms, whether they are good or bad for the human health? Some lobbies take it as an interference with the work of nature, disturbing the natural cycle might result in a serious disorder affecting human lives.

The presence of GMO's in the food chain might introduce new allergens in the body or might result in disturbing the natural immunity against diseases and other foreign bodies. As it has always happened that when we disturb the nature, it strikes back, that's when the human beings try to undo what they've done, but it becomes impossible.

Introduction of microbes into the plants to inject a foreign protein in their anatomy has resulted in countless advantages for the human kind, excessively increasing the production levels, bringing more prosperity to the farmers. But the example of BT cotton is evident in explaining the whole phenomenon, as in the beginning the yields of this particular variety were huge but as the time passed, and the pathogens developed immunity against the variety, the damages were devastating.

A lot of debate is happening on these organisms along with a lot more research. Presently the methods might not be perfected or are in the way to perfection that's why a lot of anti lobbying is going on. But to deny the fact that the use of these organisms has brought only problems for human kind would be wrong, because they have also helped a lot in saving many precious human lives.