Chapter 1,300 The pros and cons of genetically modified technology
【Revision】
For example, in the fall of 1998, Professor Pustai of the Rowett Institute claimed that he fed rats potatoes genetically modified with snowdrop lectin. After the rats ate the potatoes, they “severely lost body weight and organ weight, and their immune systems were damaged.”
In 1995, the "super weed" incident occurred in Canada. In fields where transgenic rapeseed modified through genetic engineering was planted, it was discovered that individual rapeseed plants were resistant to 1 to 3 kinds of herbicides, which were called "super weeds".
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Later, after investigation, it was found that the reason for the emergence of this kind of rapeseed plant was that farmers left some of the genetically modified rapeseed seeds in the fields when harvesting them. When new rapeseed varieties were planted the next year, the original seeds germinated and matured, and there was a gap between the new varieties and the new ones.
Caused by genetic drift.
In 1999, McConnell University professor John Rossi published a paper stating that when butterfly larvae and other field beneficial insects eat vegetable leaves sprinkled with certain genetically modified corn pollen, they will develop stunted growth and suffer particularly high mortality rates.
There have been many similar incidents. Although some of them were later proven to be misinformation, this did not alleviate people's concerns about genetically modified technology and genetically modified crops. Instead, it increased people's distrust of this genetically modified technology and crops.
Most people believe that since these genetically modified plants can affect other crops and even animals, when humans come into contact with and use these genetically modified plants or plants and livestock contaminated by genetically modified animals and plants, it is very likely that human genes will also be affected.
Be polluted, resulting in some diseases and harm to the human body.
In addition, genetic technology uses antibiotic resistance genes to mark genetically modified crops. After the genetic food enters the human body, it may affect the efficacy of antibiotics on the human body. Mutated genes in crops may cause new diseases.
The protein transfer in transgenic technology may cause the human body to become allergic to foods that are not originally allergic. Whether the new protein properties after segmentation and recombination fully meet the needs we envisage needs to be studied to demonstrate its safety.
There is also the artificial extraction and addition of genes, which may increase and accumulate the original trace toxins in food, and unforeseen biological mutations may increase the original toxin levels or produce new toxins.
Even for the ecosystem, genetically modified food interferes with specific species to artificially gain a competitive advantage in the living environment. This will inevitably destroy the timeliness of natural survival laws and cause changes in ecological balance.
And when genetically modified organisms, bacteria, viruses, etc. enter the environment, preservation or recovery is impossible. It is more serious than chemical or nuclear pollution, and the damage is irreversible.
Although public concerns about genetically modified technology have not been eliminated, in fact genetically modified crops have quietly entered our lives.
It is very likely that the raw materials of certain foods we buy already contain the raw materials of genetically modified agricultural products. How many of the non-GMO agricultural products labeled on the market are real and how many are fake.
Of course, you don’t need to worry too much.
Judging from a series of current research reports, genetically modified technology and some genetically modified crops currently on the market are safe and will not cause harm to humans.
And many international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Scientific Council, the European Commission and other international and regional organizations
All have been expressed.
It has not yet been shown that the general public in countries that have approved genetically modified foods has any impact on human health after eating genetically modified foods. All genetically modified foods currently on the market are safe and can be eaten with confidence.
From the perspective of the world's development environment, even though genetically modified technology may have some negative effects, compared with its positive effects and great achievements, it is still not worth mentioning.
After all, there are currently tens of millions of people in the world who are below the hunger line, and more than one billion people eat a single type of food and lack nutrients, resulting in severe stunting.
So if this genetically modified technology can help these people get rid of hunger, achieve food and clothing, help these people diversify their food types, enhance nutrition, and promote development.
Even if there are some risks, it is worth promoting vigorously.
However, in developed countries, they are still cautious about this kind of genetically modified technology and the related animals, plants and crops used in genetically modified technology.
Our country's control over this area is also very strict, and relevant experimental planting needs to be applied for. It can only be carried out after it is approved. Otherwise, you will be severely punished.
For example, someone once planted dozens of acres of genetically modified corn privately. After being seized by the relevant local authorities, they immediately pushed away the dozens of acres of genetically modified corn, and collected all the immature genetically modified corn stalks for burial, burning, etc.
Harmless treatment.
The relevant parties were also detained and fined.
Therefore, even various research institutes need to apply when conducting relevant genetically modified technology experiments. Only after the approval procedures are complete can relevant genetically modified technology experiments and experimental planting of genetically modified crops be carried out.
For example, this new type of transgenic Haloxylon ammodendron tree. In the next step, Yang Fang and the others will plant it outdoors on a certain scale. On the one hand, it is to test the stability of the gene of this new type of transgenic Haloxylon ammodendron tree. On the other hand,
It is to test the performance of this new transgenic Haloxylon ammodendron tree in the natural environment and its adaptability to the harsh natural environment.
In addition to this new type of transgenic Haloxylon ammodendron tree, there is also the 100 acres of rose garden that Yang Fang promised Wu Hao, which also needs to be applied for. Because the transgenic roses cultivated by Yang Fang and the others are also genetically modified crops.
Before its safety is determined, strict control is also required.
According to relevant regulations, these genetically modified plants used for experiments must be strictly supervised to prevent the leakage of their sources. And related flowering plants, that is, seed plants, are required to be removed and cleaned before the seeds mature, or reliably
Protection to prevent seeds from flowing out and affecting the surrounding natural ecological environment.
This is only the official attitude. In civil society, due to the unremitting efforts of some long-term anti-genetic technology fighters, the public regards genetically modified technology and genetically modified plants as a scourge and cannot avoid them.
Therefore, there is still a long way to go before the domestic public accepts this new type of genetically modified plant, let alone large-scale planting and use.
Of course, if this technology can be used rationally, it will also play a huge role. For example, the ecological protection that Wu Hao and others are doing has great development prospects.
If the vast northwest desert Gobi region can be managed through this kind of transgenic and genetic engineering technology, the local environment can be improved, and the invasion of sand and dust weather in the interior can be reduced, then the government, society and the general public will be willing to see it.
