Question

which is more important: that a field test be performed for grain yield or environmental biosafety?

Answer 1

Transgenic plants contains gene or genes which are artificially inserted into the plant instead of acquiring them through pollination.The DNA of plant is modified using genetic engineering technique.There are different stages of GM crop production this stages include identification of genes with a desired trait,make copies of gene,transfer to plant tissues,regenerate plants then analyze for presence of these trans genes and test for safety and other lab analysis and then development of variety.These confirmed plants are then taken to field tests and are subjected to several different regulations like agronomical performance and bio safety elements needs to be considered.Nations assess the safety of GM crops.Safety is assessed at every stage in development and farmer use of GM crops.For environmental safety they need to asses whether this transgenic plant has potential to become a weed which is unwanted impact of gene flow into sexually compatible wild or weedy species.Impact of transgenic plants on non target organisms and bio diversity these are the concerns.For example Bt corn affect other non pest species such as monarch butterflies specifically the larvae.Even though Bt toxin has no impact to the soil it accumulates in the soil and remain insecticidal for atleast 180 days.The microbes in the maize are unable to break down the toxins in short amount of time,therefore they accumulate in roots,eventually in the long run roots rot and toxins are released into the soil.These are the real concerns related to transgenic products and various regulatory bodies should focus more to address these problems.Commercialization of GM crops have created controversies across the world an almost unprecedented amount of discussion has been stimulated on the merits and demerits of genetic engineering crops and has divided the public and scientific communities.The arguments for and against the trans genetic crops are invariably based on visions of new technology from widely different ethical perspectives and need to ensure the bio safety of genetically engineered plants.