Are genetically modified crops more harmful than beneficial to the environment - Research Paper Example

Are genetically modified crops more harmful that beneficial to the environment? Introduction Genetically modified crops are derived from genetic engineering that alters the crops genetic structure to a desired composition. This approach has been used to develop plant genes that are more resistant to hash environmental conditions among other objectives. The genetic engineering has however met mixed reactions with some opinions suggesting its negative impacts on the environment and campaigning against it while some opinions claim its benefits to the environment.

Each of these arguments has been supported by scientific research based theories. This paper seeks to evaluate impacts of genetically modified crops on the environment. It reviews scientific literature to investigate whether the genetically engineered crops are more harmful or more beneficial to the environment. DiscussionReports on scientific research and analyses have offered varied opinions on the impacts of genetically modified crops on the environment. A research initiative by Powel et al on the effects of genetically modified crops on their immediate soil identifies temporary effects on lives around the crops.

The effect lasts for less than a year, especially when the crops are grown only once in an area. The crops are also associated with lowering the rate of organic compounds’ decomposition in soils for retention of primary nutrients in the soils to ensure a stable food chain that begins with plants. This therefore identifies advantages of genetic modification towards food security in an ecosystem (Powel et al, p. 394). Research by Brookes and Barfoot on the environmental effects of genetically modified crops also identifies significant benefits of the engineering.

According to their research results, application of genetically modified crops that are resistant to weeds and insects have reduced the general trend in application of chemical based herbicides and pesticides to lower environmental pollution due to the involved chemicals. This has in effect promised a reduction of green house gas emission to environmental safety (Brookes and Barfoot, p. 193).The effect of the genetically modified crops’ ability to kill insects and weeds that threatens the crops is also a source of the technology’s harmful impacts on the environment.

The crops for example extend their potential and kills insects and weeds that do not affect them. As a result, the genetic engineering leads to unnecessary destruction of abiotic factors. This harm is more significant if it affects insects or weeds with environmental value. The toxicity of the crops is similarly transferred to aquatic environments through surface waters and is a threat to aquatic lives (Greenpace, n.p.). Uncontrolled growth of the engineered crops is another threat to the environment, as the crops will themselves become weeds.

Similarly, the modified crops may result in undesirable genes that can also be transferred to other members of an ecosystem, towards a destabilized ecosystem (Melon and Rissler, p. 1). ConclusionEven though significant benefits of genetically modified crops are identified over sustainability of the engineered crops, with active ingredients that lasts for a short period after the crops’ lives, the harmful effects of the crops are far reaching and are felt beyond the time and area of the crop’s existence to kill other organisms in the plants’ immediate environment.

This can spread due to agents such as water. Threat of consequential gene development that can be transmitted to other plants or animals further undermines the benefits of genetic engineering until such genes are controllable. The genetically modified crops are therefore more harmful that they are beneficial. Works citedBrookes, Graham, and Barfoot, Peter. “gm crops: the global economic and environmental impact- The first nine years 1996-2004.” AgBioForum 8. 2&3 (2005): p. 187- 196. Print.

Greenpace. Environmental and health impacts of GM crops- the science. Greenspace. September, 2011. Web. November 4, 2012. .Melon, Margarete, and Rissler, Jane. Environmental effects of genetically modified food crops- Recent experiences. 2012. Web. November 4, 2012. . Powel, Jeff, et al. “Effects of genetically modified, herbicide-tolerant crops and their management on soil food web properties and crop litter decomposition.” Journal of Applied Ecology 46 (2009): p. 388- 396. Print.