Selective Breeding Case Study

Question 1

a) Selective breeding and genetic engineering are both techniques that scientists use today to change organism’s traits. These techniques are being improved by scientists, they have already achieved so much with these processes such as producing animals and plants with higher reproductive systems, high disease resistant abilities and other desirable characteristics. Both selective breeding and genetic engineering result in modification of an organism’s genotype, when DNA from one organism join with DNA from another organism it is called recombinant DNA. This new organism is modified. Although these techniques sound very similar there are a few differences which make these processes slightly different. Selective breeding is the breeding

Selective breeding can result in more produce and agricultural growth which will be an excellent advantage for farming and agriculture, but will it be so good and successful in the near future when we as humans start to struggle with our day to day health? There are scientists that state that selective breeding might eliminate some diseases, but are they ready for all the new diseases that may arise through these processes? People also believe that selective breeding can result into superior breeding which are the process of choosing particular animals or plants to show characteristics that are specific to the preferences of the breeder or the framer, but will they be ready to take the risks and then work with the consequences? On the other hand, there are disadvantages associated with selective breeding such as the possibilities of gene mutations which may be very harmful. Selective breeding can also result in the lost of genes from the genetic pool and could also enable the risks of having more yet incurable

b) There are a few advantages of genetically modified food and many disadvantages associating with genetically modified foods.

Advantages:

• Creating foods that will be better resistant to weeds, pests or other diseases.

• Foods with better textures, flavours and nutritional values.

• By using the process of genetic engineering farmers can have a higher income

• Less deforestation as there will be sufficient food to feed the growing population

• Decrease in Global Warming as more plants and crops can be grown and at more areas, including those areas which were previously unsuitable for farming.

• Decrease in food prices due to higher yield and lower costs which also mean reduction of poverty.

Disadvantages:

• People who eat these foods might have allergic reactions as these foods often contains mixes of proteins which weren’t indigenous to the original animal or plant, this also means that your food choices will be lessened.

• These foods are not 100% environmentally friendly as they still contain several kinds of substances that are not yet proven to be