Bioengineering in Food - Research Paper Example

? Bioengineering in Food The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit to differentiate bioengineering from hybridization; and (2) to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using bioengineering in agriculture. Bioengineering in Food Bioengineering vs. Hybridization Bioengineering is also known as genetic engineering, a modern technology that is often applied in medicine and agriculture. Genetic engineering is a process that includes the identification and incorporation of economically valued genes into a specific crop, the introduction of the desired gene into the recipient cells through a delivery system, and the expression of the new genetic information in the recipient cells (Lutz, 1999, p. 262). Hybridization, on the other hand, refers to the process of cross-breeding genetically dissimilar crops, both within and between species (Aheto, 2008, p. 77). Genetic engineering and hybridization differ in origin: genes from genetic engineering originate from any living organism, virus, or even chemical synthesis while genes from hybridization may originate from genetically different plant genera and families. Genetic engineering enabled food and crop scientists to manipulate the DNA of plants at molecular level. It has allowed possible transfer of DNA between two distantly species, unlike the traditional hybridization. Organisms that have been transformed using genetic engineering are often called transgenic organism, genetically engineered organism, or genetically modified organism (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 1); hybrid is the term used for organisms that underwent hybridization. The major differences of genetic engineering and hybridization in agriculture are noticeable in terms of results and economic impact. No matter how good the breeder is in choosing the best parents to cross or hybrid, the result is still unpredictable in the genetic levels. DNA of parent crops recombines randomly and may exhibit desirable traits such as pest resistance but the hybrid may also exhibit undesirable traits such as poor quality and lower yield. Because of the possibility to produce a crop which has undesirable characteristics and the great deal of effort required to separate undesirable from desirable traits, hybridization or traditional breeding is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and is not economically practical. Meanwhile, genetic engineering is economically practical as it allows segmentation of specific characteristics of DNA to be selected and removed unwanted traits, making the desired gene controlled, precise, and of high quality (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 1). Advantages of Bioengineering Wieczorek (2003) identified a few examples of benefits or advantages of bioengineering to the agriculture, among of which are: increased crop productivity, enhanced crop protection, improvements in food processing, improved nutritional value, better flavor, and fresher produce (p. 2-3). Genetically engineered crops increased crop productivity because it introduced qualities such as disease resistance and increased drought tolerance to the crops (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 2). Examples of which are the cases in University of Hawaii and Cornell University that developed two varieties of papaya resistant to papaya ringspot virus. The used of genetic engineering in agriculture has also increased crop productivity by developing drought-resistant plants that are capable of using water efficiently. Genetic engineering also enhanced crop protection and can make cost-effective solutions to pests’ problems (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 2). The research from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis has made protein in the crops such as corn, cotton, and potato into a protein that kills certain insects when they feed on the plants. This technological breakthrough is also the protein used in natural insecticides. The similar case applies to Bt engineered into a corn crop, making pest control more cheaply, more effective, and less expensive, but Bt crops are considered inacceptable because the entire part of the crop has been applied with Bt insecticide. Another benefit of using genetic engineering in agriculture is the improvement in food processing. Consider the genetically engineered enzyme known as chymosin which replaced calf rennet in cheese-making. Food products from chymosin are manufactured in 60 percent of the cheese industry because it increased purity, served a reliable supply, reduced cost by 50 percent, and made cheese-yield in high efficiency (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 3). Not all genetically engineered crops are hazardous to human consumption. In fact, one of its benefits is improved nutritional value. These includes soybeans with higher protein content, potatoes with more nutritionally available starch and an improved amino acid content, beans with more essential amino acids, and rice with the ability produce beta-carotene. In addition, crops developed from genetic engineering have better flavor because plant enzymes are transformed into aroma precursors to flavoring compounds (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 3). Examples of these crops are transgenic peppers and melon. More often, farmers often worry about losing the freshness of the produce during transport to consumers. With genetic engineering, properties to make a fresher produce is kept and crops decay, damage, and loss of nutrients are prevented (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 3). Tomatoes are examples of crops that can be easily damaged during transportation. The development of transgenic tomatoes has made its transport easier because these tomatoes have delayed softening and bruising. In addition to the stated advantages of genetic engineering in agriculture, the environment and developing countries also benefit from this technology. The used of genetically engineered crops to control pests reduced pesticide residues in foods, groundwater, and farmers. Therefore, humans and environment are protected from hazardous products of pesticide. Developing countries also benefit from genetic engineering because the improvement in nutritional value of certain crop also means improvement in the health conditions of the less developed countries. Example of which is the golden rice, a genetically engineered rice plant which has sufficient beta-carotene and vitamins that prevent blindness among children, improved vitamin uptake, and deliver essential vitamins without buying expensive supplements (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 3). Disadvantages of Bioengineering No matter how good are the benefits of technology, a number of disadvantages in using genetic engineering in agriculture might be noted. Wieczorek (2003) categorized disadvantages into three: health, environmental, and social (p. 3-6). Health-related issues include allergens and toxins and antibiotic resistance. Majority of the population feared that with alteration in the gene structure, certain allergy-free foods might have been introduced with allergens and toxins. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensured the public that genetically engineered foods do not have significantly increased above the natural range of allergens found in conventional foods (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 4). In fact, genetic engineering targets to remove the most serious cause of food allergy – allergens from peanuts. Another health concern is the danger of antibiotic resistance. Genetic engineering uses antibiotic resistance genes as markers thus, concerns regarding emergence of diseases resistant to antibiotic treatment might pose serious implications. Although the rate of potential risk of transfer from plants to bacteria and to humans is relatively low, the FDA warned food developers not to used markers of clinically important antibiotics (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 4). Environmental and ecological disadvantages include possible development of superweeds due to cross pollination, unforeseen potential impact to other species, development of resistance from crop-protection features of genetically engineered crops and loss of biodiversity because food markets continuously expand genetically engineered crops as a reliable food source. Social issues debate on whether genetically engineered crops must carry a special label to distinguish difference from conventional food and on the terminator technology in which the farmers cannot take advantage of improvements brought about by genetic engineering without being brought into the economic cycle that profits the seed companies (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 6). Reflection Learning all the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering in agriculture sector, I would eat genetically modified foods. The FDA regulates and assures the public of the quality and safety of the genetically modified foods thus, fear about the risks in consuming these foods must be kept in a relatively low precautionary level as research found out that genetically modified foods are healthy, nutritious, and have better flavor. References Aheto, D.W. (2008). Background. Implication Analysis for Biotechnology Regulation and Management in Africa (p. 65-77). Germany: Peter Lang. Lutz, E. (1999). Toward Reduced Pesticide Use for Cereal Crops in Asia. Agriculture and the Environment: Perspectives on Sustainable Rural Development (2nd Print) (p. 254-270). Washington: The World Bank. Wieczorek, A. (2003). Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture – Benefits and Risks (p. 1-6). Manoa: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). Retrieved on January 5, 2012 from http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/BIO-3.pdf Read More