Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
the battle for biotech - Coggle Diagram
the battle for biotech
A) Paragraph
Genetic engineering (GE) of crops and animals offers the potential to enhance food quality and nutrition, but critics express concerns about the safety and understanding of biotech foods being rushed to market.
B) Paragraph
Biotech foods are genetically altered plants and animals, a modern extension of traditional practices where humans have long modified crops by selecting seeds and breeding for desired traits.
C) Paragraph
Biotech foods are genetically altered plants and animals, enhancing traits through modern techniques. Genetic engineering allows targeted gene transfers between distantly related species.Examples include rat genes in lettuce for vitamin C and moth genes in apple trees for disease resistance.Many biotech crops, such as corn, soybeans, and cotton, are developed to combat agricultural challenges.
D) Paragraph
A 2016 National Academy of Sciences report found no significant health risks associated with genetically engineered (GE) foods compared to non-GE foods, and some GE foods may be safer, as they tend to have lower levels of harmful toxins like fumonisins found in insect-damaged corn.
E) Paragraph
Biotech foods have faced issues, such as a case in the mid-1990s when soybeans modified with nut genes triggered allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, raising concerns about unnoticed harmful proteins in genetic modifications. Critics also express apprehension about gene transfers between vastly different species potentially leading to unforeseen health effects.
F) Paragraph
Scientists primarily express concerns about the environmental safety of genetically engineered (GE) crops, with some experts, like Allison Snow, cautioning that these crops may be released before comprehensive testing is completed.
G) Paragraph
Advocates of genetically engineered (GE) crops argue they can provide environmental benefits by reducing pesticide use and addressing food shortages by increasing crop yields and enabling cultivation in harsh conditions.
H) Paragraph
Over 800 million people worldwide suffer from malnutrition, and the number is rising, highlighting the urgent need for solutions like genetically modified crops that can produce natural pesticides, targeting harmful insects while preserving beneficial ones.
I) Paragraph
Golden rice, a genetically modified variety enriched with vitamin A, is considered a potential solution to combat the widespread vitamin A deficiency affecting millions of children, which leads to blindness and high mortality rates.
J) Paragraph
Some experts argue that the biotechnology industry has overstated the potential benefits of golden rice, emphasizing that it may not significantly reduce vitamin A deficiency since malnourished individuals may not efficiently convert beta-carotene into vitamin A.
K) Paragraph
The future impact of biotech foods on global hunger and quality of life is uncertain, as they hold great potential but also come with risks. Careful scientific testing and prudent decision-making are essential to maximize benefits while mitigating dangers associated with genetic modification.