TASK 2

"Should there be government regulations to protect the environment from genetically engineered crops?"

Genetically engineered foods containing genes derived from bacteria and viruses are now starting to appear in the shops, and foods with insect, fish, and animal genes will be next. These genetic changes are radically different from those resulting from traditional methods of breeding. The sale of these foods is being permitted without proper assessment of the risks and without tolerable informing the public even though many scientists say that genetically modified foods could cause serious damage to health and the environment. Because living organisms are highly complex, genetic engineers cannot possibly predict all of the effects of introducing new genes into them. This is the case for even the simplest bacterium, not to mention more complex plants and animals. The process of genetic engineering can introduce dangerous new allergens and toxins into foods that were previously naturally safe. Already one genetically engineered soybean was found to cause serious allergic reactions and bacteria genetically engineered to produce large amounts of the food supplement, tryptophan, have produced toxic contaminants that killed 37 people and permanently disabled 1,500 more.Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, genetic pollution is self-perpetuating. It can never be reversed or cleaned up, genetic mistakes will be passed on to all future generations of a species When genetic engineers insert a new gene into any organism there are position effects which can lead to unpredictable changes in the pattern of gene expression and genetic function. The protein product of the inserted gene may carry out unexpected reactions and produce potentially toxic products. There is also serious concern about the dangers of using genetically engineered viruses as delivery vehicles in the generation of transgenic plants and animals. This could destabilise the genome, and also possibly create new viruses, and thus dangerous new diseases.The process of inserting genes is quite random and can damage normal genes. Genetic research shows that many weaknesses in plants, animals, and humans have their origin in tiny imperfections in the genetic code. The random damage resulting from gene insertion will inevitably result in side-effects and accidents.