An example of this would be tomatoes implanted with a gene from a vibrantly colored plant to give it that color trait. More useful applications include genes that increase disease resistance of plants as well as increased nutritional potential. ... Its intended target is children, with vitamin A deficiency in mind.1 Besides the consumers being the benefactors of the GM Food, farmers also have incentive to plant GMC's. ... If a crop does not respond positively to an inserted gene it may display unwanted characteristics included with the original trait. Some of these unwanted characteris...

• Word Count: 1137
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

No longer does the gradual process of selective breeding confine improvements; we now have the ability to genetically modify a species' specific characteristics within a single generation (Ford 65). ... This new understanding opened up the prospect that the genetic coding of an organism could be altered to give the new characteristics in ways that natural evolution or selective breeding could not produce (History). ... Scientists have developed a number of techniques for getting a desired gene into a plant. ... Scientists have been able to use that ability to deliver genes of their ch...

• Word Count: 3593
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Genetic modification allows scientists to create characteristics and traits in organisms that could not naturally occur. All genetically engineered foods created so far are derived from genetically engineered plants. ... " Essentially, genetically modified food is the test tube baby of the plant world. Scientists are able to splice genes and manipulate DNA to create a plant with the desired attributes. ... Fortunately, the plant was not put into production (119). ...

• Word Count: 1697
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Virtually half soybeans in the United States are GM to produce a chemical that makes plants invulnerable to weeding-killing sprays. ... Due to the advancements in genetics scientists gained the ability to alter plants and animals by using recombinant DNA techniques, or by combining two different molecules of DNA. ... With rising technology GM animals and plants could be used to make vaccines, drugs, hormones, and other useful substances needed today to help the sick. ... Farmers have used selection and hybridization techniques to harvest plants and animals with preferred traits, but they ...

• Word Count: 1500
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The introduction of the Plant Patent Act of 1930 changed all of this and agricultural patenting of seeds became permissible. ... GM seeds are seeds that have been modified to contain certain characteristics such as resistance to herbicides or pests, drought resistance, increased crop yields, and nutrient enhanced foods. ... Plants capable of growing under harsh temperatures, drought, or other natural conditions would be of instrumental importance in the event that climate change leaves key areas of the world less amenable to agriculture. ... Since their agricultural division was established in...

• Word Count: 2684
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In its final review, the FDA concluded that the Flavr Savr did not lose original characteristics of a modern tomato and provided the exact same nutritional value. ... He stated how his group's "conducted review of the evidence about GM plants and human health" showed no credible evidence "that GM foods are more harmful to people than non-GM foods" ("Genetically Modified Foods Do Not Cause Food-Borne Illnesses"). ... Pertaining to the first benefit, as soil salinity is becoming a major problem in many areas of the United States, genetic modification presents ...

• Word Count: 1116
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This method allows short sections of DNA to be isolated from the genetic material of any one organism and to be transferred into the cells of a different organism, thus altering its original characteristics. ... Genetic modifications can be preformed on any type of life form including plants, animals and microorganisms. ... It is now possible for scientists to introduce genes taken from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans, into plants. " "It is well established that most natural bacteria do not cause disease. ... Another concern is the impact of GM crops on biological diversity ...

• Word Count: 2733
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate