Modifications in the plants at their genetic levels have brought about a new array of discoveries in the world of biotechnology. With its initial inception, it had been a topic of interest for the entire science fraternity across the world. The beginning of the era of Modified plants began with an uproar in its positive points. The world went crazy over the benefits of these plants. But with time, and with improvisation of our knowledge in the field of science and technology, the science fraternity has discovered certain facts about modified plants which indicate that these plants are not as good as they were initially supposed to be.
The modified plants are now being criticised for the hazardous effects that they bring along with themselves. The list of hazards that these plants are creating is becoming longer day by day. To begin with, the first and foremost adverse effect that these modified plants are resulting in, is the disturbance in the natural flora and fauna. The modified plants are looting the nature of its precious fauna and flora.
The plants that are modified at the genetic level produce pollen grains which have characteristics different than that of the natural variant of the same plant. When these pollen grains are transferred to other plants with the help of agents like butterflies or wind, they tend to contaminate the latter plant. The pollen grains of the modified plants disturb the integrity of the naturally occurring plants. Thus, there is a great deal of disturbance of the natural flora which results due to the collision of the modified pollen with the naturally grown plant.
The second major adverse effect of these modified plants is their interference with the fauna. As it is a known fact, that the basic motive of developing genetically modified crops is to prolong the shelf life of the crops and to induce resistance against pests among them. The modifications hence brought, not only affected the targeted pests, but also harmed the non targeted ones significantly. The moths and certain flies which meant no harm to any of the plants were among the worst sufferers. Therefore, it can be said that the modified plants led to a probable threat to the natural fauna including the non targeted species. The worst impact that these plants cause on the flora and fauna is that the negative effects continue to occur even when the targeted species have already developed the resistance against the genetic modifications. In other words, the pests who were supposed to be affected by the changes develop resistance, while the non targeted organisms continue to suffer for a prolonged time period.
Another area of concern for the biotechnologists is the harm that is being caused by the modified plants to the human beings consuming them. During the process of modification, the plants are subjected to certain genetic changes that disturb the natural genetic makeup of the plants. This unnatural mutation in the plant genetics leads to changes which occurs as a result of plants’ resistance to prevent such a change at the gene level. the resultant changes may not always be favourable for the human beings consuming them. At times, the plants lose the vital nutrients that are required for the humans. The alterations destroy the core constituents of the plants and affect the nutritional values of the same.
Many varieties of plants produce toxins which are harmful for humans, if consumed. In the face of genetic alterations, the modified plant may secrete these toxins at a level which are higher than the acceptable limits. Production of toxins within a mild level can be harmless to the humans when consumed, but when the same toxins are produced over an acceptable level they may prove to be poisonous or even fatal for the human beings.
There are evidences that support that frequent consumption of modified crops has led to certain disease conditions in the humans. However, this is a presumptuous fact, not enough evidences have been available to authenticate this finding. In order to be on the safer side, it is better to avoid consumption of such crops which may tend to harm the human beings (FAO.org, 2016).
All these factors have forced the biotechnology research workers to rethink on their decision of increasing the production of genetically modified crops. The efforts that these research workers were putting in for the further improvement of modified crops with the help of the advancements in their knowledge of science and technology have been kept on hold for the time being. The researchers are considering stopping the production of modified crops unless they are successful in diving deep into the concept of modified plants (The impact of genetically engineered crops on farm sustainability in the United States, 2010).
Thus, it can be said that the modified crops which have once become the topic of great interest in the scientific fraternity of the world has now been repressed following the discoveries that came up regarding the harmful effects of the same. As a conclusive fact it can be said that the modified crops have not lived up to the expectations that were initially placed upon the. Rather, they have proved to be an additional burden to the natural environment with its harmful effects.
Works Cited
The impact of genetically engineered crops on farm sustainability in the United States. (2010). Washington, D.C.
THE STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2003-2004 1. (2016). Fao.org. Retrieved 15 June 2016, from http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/Y5160E/y5160e10.htm
