Variation - AQABenefits and risks of genetic engineering

There are many benefits to using genetic engineering. It is used in agriculture to do things such as, improve the yields of important economic crops, and provide insect or pest resistance. It is also used in the medical field to create insulin, which can be used for treating diabetes. But, as with most new technology, it also carries potential risks.

Benefits of genetic engineering

• Genetic modification is a faster and more efficient way of getting similar results to selective breeding.
• Improve crop yields or crop quality, which is important to help reduce hunger around the world.
• Introduce herbicide resistance, which results in fewer herbicides being used, as weeds are quickly and selectively killed.
• Insect and pest resistance can be developed and inserted into the plants. The plant produces toxins, which would discourage insects from eating the crop.

Risks of genetic engineering

• Transfer of the selected gene into other species. This is called 'gene flow'.
• Some people believe it is not ethical to interfere with nature in this way. Also, GM crop seeds are often more expensive and so people in developing countries cannot afford them.
• GM crops could be harmful, for example toxins from the crops have been detected in some people’s blood.
• Some people believe it is not an ethical process.
• GM crops could cause allergic reactions in people or be harmful to other organisms.